I've had this in my backlog for over ten years - possibly eleven. I'm reviewing it now because we had mice in the room where the incense was stored, and I had to go in to sort them out, and while there brought out my box of Happy Hari incense because I wanted to give some sticks to Brief Chemistry of the Reddit incense forum. While sorting through the sticks I found a few packs I'd never reviewed. This had been sent to me by Paul Eagle back in the day as he wanted a review. I do say to folks that it may be some time before I get around to reviewing incense sent to me, but I never envisage that it would take eleven years!
Saffron (sometimes named kesar in Indian incense) is an expensive spice that doesn't do well when burned, so is not actually used in incense. It will be plants and/or synthetics. Synthetics will usually be the restricted safranal or, more likely, the use as much as you want safraleine. There will be some floral notes put in - rose or jasmine (usually synthetic), and the usual woody base. The aim will be to create something which is spicy, floral, woody, leathery, with notes of rich Virginia tobacco.
The scent on the stick does contain those aspects which I expect to find in a saffron incense. it's warm, woody, quirky, kinda mouldy, musky, mild spice, some soft sweetness, both fresh and aged leather - there's a sort of tannery smell, which is the mould and fresh leather and, yes, raw meat, which I remember from a time when I worked in a tannery. Probably most unpleasant job I ever had. Anyway, I find this scent compelling, interesting, and attractive, but not hugely yummy.
The scent on the stick does contain those aspects which I expect to find in a saffron incense. it's warm, woody, quirky, kinda mouldy, musky, mild spice, some soft sweetness, both fresh and aged leather - there's a sort of tannery smell, which is the mould and fresh leather and, yes, raw meat, which I remember from a time when I worked in a tannery. Probably most unpleasant job I ever had. Anyway, I find this scent compelling, interesting, and attractive, but not hugely yummy.
The scent on the burn is warmer and more charming than the cold throw scent on the stick. It is sweeter, more rounded, and has less of the meat and mould which made the cold throw scent interesting, but not actually delightful. A little note of faecal matter in a perfume can make it richer, deeper, more realistic and attractive, grounding the florals and sweetness so they are not too cloying, but too much and it draws too much negative attention. There's a little too much in the cold throw, but just the right amount in the burn. Indeed, there's even a gourmandy quality in the burn. At heart this is the standard woody base with sweet florals that is found in pretty much all Indian incense, but the safranal element in the middle of the accord marks the difference with the mild spice, fresh leather, and hint of Three Castles tobacco. This is a relaxed and attractive incense, with a pleasant balance of wood and floral and that intriguing pinch of saffron spice.
While the original Happy Hari closed in 2016, the line continues somewhere, and this King of Saffron is possibly the same as the King of Saffron that Cory of Absolute Bliss had which is now sold by Everest Trader in the US at $8 Canadian dollars, and by Padma Store in Germany with authentic labels at 4.25 Euros.
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| Reviewed in Germany Padma Store Happy Hari |
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| Reviewed in USA: Historic Everest Trader Happy Hari |
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