Sample box of sandalwood cones sent by Shreyas of Vithaldas Narayandas and Sons (VNS). This appears to be the only incense cones sold by VNS. Shreyas didn't send me a full box, just a sample of six in a yellow VNS box. The cones are sold in a 50g box for 90 rupees.
The cones are tall and pointy and a cardboard grey/brown colour. There is a gentle and pleasant perfume on the cone, quite herby and minty, though underpinned by woody notes which incline, for me, more toward damp beech (like a well sucked school desk) than sandalwood. There's a sense of fresh patchouli - sweet and musky. I like it a lot.
The cone burns well, producing a classic column of silver grey smoke. I do like to see the smoke from incense. It's an essential part of the experience for me, and I puzzle over why there is an interest in smokeless incense. For me, if you don't want the smoke, then don't burn incense, use an oil warmer instead. You get a better fragrance and a more healthy experience without any of that nasty silver smoke swirling around as it lifts to the gods above.
The scent on the burn is delightful. The accent here is on the wood - a little earthy, yet still sweet and musky. Some of the more intriguing scents on the cone have not translated to the burn, instead we get a stronger account of the sweet musk. Again I am drawn more to thoughts of patchouli than sandalwood - though sandalwood (the dark oily sandalwood that I like) can tend to smell similar to patchouli anyway. I think sandalwood scents are more varied than patchouli because some perfumers use the dark oily heartwood, some use the dark oily heartwood after the oil has been extracted, and some use the cheaper pale sandalwood which doesn't contain much of the fragrant oil. This scent is closer to the dark oily sandalwood, yet is not heavy or too sweet or too indulgent - it retains a green, herby life, a vibrancy and youth which is joyful and uplifting. I like it a lot.
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| The regular 50g box |
The cones are tall and pointy and a cardboard grey/brown colour. There is a gentle and pleasant perfume on the cone, quite herby and minty, though underpinned by woody notes which incline, for me, more toward damp beech (like a well sucked school desk) than sandalwood. There's a sense of fresh patchouli - sweet and musky. I like it a lot.
The cone burns well, producing a classic column of silver grey smoke. I do like to see the smoke from incense. It's an essential part of the experience for me, and I puzzle over why there is an interest in smokeless incense. For me, if you don't want the smoke, then don't burn incense, use an oil warmer instead. You get a better fragrance and a more healthy experience without any of that nasty silver smoke swirling around as it lifts to the gods above.
The scent on the burn is delightful. The accent here is on the wood - a little earthy, yet still sweet and musky. Some of the more intriguing scents on the cone have not translated to the burn, instead we get a stronger account of the sweet musk. Again I am drawn more to thoughts of patchouli than sandalwood - though sandalwood (the dark oily sandalwood that I like) can tend to smell similar to patchouli anyway. I think sandalwood scents are more varied than patchouli because some perfumers use the dark oily heartwood, some use the dark oily heartwood after the oil has been extracted, and some use the cheaper pale sandalwood which doesn't contain much of the fragrant oil. This scent is closer to the dark oily sandalwood, yet is not heavy or too sweet or too indulgent - it retains a green, herby life, a vibrancy and youth which is joyful and uplifting. I like it a lot.
