This Benzoin Absolute is the last (I think) of the samples I got from Temple of Incense (ToI) back in 2021. I am determined this year to really reduce my backlog. But as I write this I suspect I have another batch of ToI samples somewhere in my collection. Well, at least they are not on my desk. I am aiming to clear away the incense on my desk by the end of next weekend to make way for a two-way incense blind taste test I'm doing with Irene of Rauchfahne, and a closer look at some decent quality Chinese incense. Mind you, looking at the utter mess that is my desk, I'm thinking that perhaps the end of next weekend is a bit ambitious.
Anyhow. Benzoin Absolute. Ho hum. Benzoin is such a common resin in Indian incense that it's hard to work up an enthusiasm for this. It's usually used as a fixative, or to add some sweetness to a fragrance blend. It is sometimes used by itself, most commonly in a format which Thomas Kinkele says may be termed "Calcutta block benzoin", though is better known as Loban or Sambrani - a rough benzoin mixed with other resins. In general benzoin by itself is not highly regarded as a single fragrance incense stick because it's rather linear and dull, with a somewhat boring and sometimes satiating focus on vanilla sweetness.
This stick is a simple, plain extruded paste. The scent on the stick has the expected vanilla sweetness, though there's some fresh cologne here as well which add balsamic, floral, and fruit notes. A small amount of crisp volatility is a little off-putting, but that is not uncommon with perfumed sticks. It's a fairly average perfumed-incense fragrance. Pleasant enough, though unexciting.
Anyhow. Benzoin Absolute. Ho hum. Benzoin is such a common resin in Indian incense that it's hard to work up an enthusiasm for this. It's usually used as a fixative, or to add some sweetness to a fragrance blend. It is sometimes used by itself, most commonly in a format which Thomas Kinkele says may be termed "Calcutta block benzoin", though is better known as Loban or Sambrani - a rough benzoin mixed with other resins. In general benzoin by itself is not highly regarded as a single fragrance incense stick because it's rather linear and dull, with a somewhat boring and sometimes satiating focus on vanilla sweetness.
This stick is a simple, plain extruded paste. The scent on the stick has the expected vanilla sweetness, though there's some fresh cologne here as well which add balsamic, floral, and fruit notes. A small amount of crisp volatility is a little off-putting, but that is not uncommon with perfumed sticks. It's a fairly average perfumed-incense fragrance. Pleasant enough, though unexciting.
The scent on the burn is soft and pleasant. It's not a straight benzoin, there's an attractive musky element, quite warm with woody notes that contain just enough bitterness to take the edge off the sweetness and provide some harmony. It's an OK room-freshener scent. Quite likeable, and quite familiar and unremarkable. There's nothing here to surprise or annoy. An acceptable everyday room freshener. But £10 for a pack of 20 is really a lot of money for what you get. For some decent incense with the same sort of character you get from ToI, you could buy direct from VNS in India where the incense is usually at 100 rupees (85p) or less for 20g. If you live outside India, to buy from VNS contact Shreyas Sugandhi at vns@vnsons.com. You can get 500g of beautiful and varied incense including shipping for less than £40.
Note: It is not revealed where Temple of Incense source the incense for their brand; however, a number of the incenses are similar to those made by HMS of Pune.
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