Reviews
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| B.G Pooja Store Nag Champa (M) Aug 2023 - Score: 48/50 |
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Feb 2023 - Score: 33/50 |
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| B.G Pooja Store Natural (PM) Jan 2023 - Score: 27/50 |
Reviews:
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Bottom:
Average
Top:
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Average
Monday, 27 April 2026
B.G Pooja Store, Tiruvannamalai
Sunday, 26 April 2026
Jahagirdar First Choice Turkish Oudh
Jahagirdar of Pune say: "Turkish Oudh Incense Sticks are a luxurious blend of Turkish agarwood, frankincense, and musk." Turkish agarwood is not agarwood from Turkey, as the agarwood tree doesn't grow there. It is an attar style composed of an oudh scent (either imported agarwood, or blend of aroma compounds such as Iso E Super, Cashmeran, and Norlimbanol) combined with dark rose, and other ingredients such as spices, saffron, benzoin.
The stick is chunky and generous, and saturated with heady fragrances. Smoky-sweet dark rose, rich damp woods, cherry, ether, band-aid, and little tinkles of something close to aldehydes. Quite layered and compelling. A complex of ancient and modern perfumes compressed into one Indian-Arabian incense stick.
There's a fair degree of black smoke on lighting. Black smoke is caused by material that is not fully burned, so carbon particles are visible. Common causes are high levels of charcoal, or DPG, or oils. Or a combination of these. It is not a sign that the incense is poorly made - resins such as frankincense will produce black smoke if burned. But it may be a sign that this is not the incense for you if you like softer, quieter, pale sandalwood type incense.
This is the most smoky and heady of the Jahagirdar incenses I've burned so far. It is perhaps a little intense even for me. And while I like the rose and oudh accord, I'd welcome some light to relieve the darkness. Some vocals, guitars, and percussion in the mix with the drum and bass. So its attractive stuff, but a little too much of the same stuff for too long.
Only available in India. ₹300 for 100g, from Jahagirdar, or from GroovyFragrances.
Date: Apr 2026 Score: 31/50
Saturday, 25 April 2026
Jahagirdar First Choice Nargis Flora
This is part of Jahgirdar's Flora collection. Samples, in off-putting glossy sleeves, sent to me by Julian of The Incense Atelier who is considering importing them. I think he is somewhat put off by the naff name, First Choice, the glossy commercial sample sleeves, extruded manufacture, and the sight of black smoke when first lit (this happens when there is incomplete combustion, which can be caused by DEP, though often happens with oil rich incenses such as flora/fluxo styles) and I understand that. But get beyond the name, and into the rich incense, and Jahagirdar's Indian-Arabian incense is very rewarding for those who like layered, complex, oily, dark, sexy, smoky-sweet fragrances.
Nargis (also called narcissus) is the South Asian name for the daffodil. It has a scent similar to jasmine, though more rich and creamy, and blends well with pale, creamy sandalwood. The fragrance on the stick is very milky and honeyed and delicious. Beautiful. Jahagirdar say: "Nargis Handmade Incense Sticks are crafted from narcissus flowers, jasmine blossoms, sandalwood, frankincense, and benzoin resin. Their calming floral-woody profile is known to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and help build a sacred atmosphere." And it is possible, even at £1.25 for 100g, that there is some tiny element of daffodil and jasmine in the mix, but it more likely that the floral notes are delivered by mostly natural aroma compounds such as phenylacetaldehyde, benzyl-acetate, cis-3-hexenol, and linalool (there's a soapy note in the accord), as well as the sandalwood, frankincense, and benzoin. The sandalwood notes are very clean, so are possibly helped by javanol. This is an example of the perfumer's art. This is not a cheap, crude fragrance accord - this is layered, subtle, delicate, intense, and shimmeringly beautiful. The sort of thing made by a family who have spent seven generations making attars and incense. It is a shame that the name and presentation divert attention away from the true beauty of this incense house.
The scent on the burn is soft, rich, creamy; floral - like jasmine, but thicker, softer, and more honeyed, with delicate benzoin/vanilla notes. Well supported by the creamy pale sandalwood. Jasmine incense is not one of my favourites. Indeed, florals on the whole are not my thing, so this is not going to get a huge score from me. But it is one of the most attractive and beautiful jasmine style incenses I've encountered. Wonderful.
Currently (as of April 2026) only available in India. ₹160 for 100g, direct from Jahagirdar.
Date: Apr 2026 Score: 42/50
Jahagirdar First Choice
Jahagirdar are a 7th generation Indian attar business who set up in Pune in 1850, and became an incense house in 1943 - they have their incense shop next door to their attar shop in Budhwar Peth Rd. In 2017 they set up First Choice Fragrances with their own factory. The samples I have (sent by Julian of The Incense Atelier) are more in the Arabian/Muslim tradition of Indian incense than the Hindu - more perfumed, more oudh focused, richer, deeper, more oil based and decorative than the Hindu sandalwood focused which is more aimed at tradition and ritual - the spiritual value of the ingredients. Hindu incense for the temples. Muslim/Arabian incense for the palaces.
Muslim incense is a style that doesn't get exported to the West anywhere near as much as the Hindu style, unless the incense house is Hindu but makes a few Arabian style incense sticks for their customers. It's a shame, because I feel I am often more in tune with this richer, deeper, oil intense style of incense. I think the West is largely unaware of the beauty and power of this style of incense. I like the long history of Jahagirdar, and I like the Jahagirdar name, which is redolent of Maharashtra/Karnataka history, of Persian Mughals, and of a beautiful, proud culture.
Muslim incense is a style that doesn't get exported to the West anywhere near as much as the Hindu style, unless the incense house is Hindu but makes a few Arabian style incense sticks for their customers. It's a shame, because I feel I am often more in tune with this richer, deeper, oil intense style of incense. I think the West is largely unaware of the beauty and power of this style of incense. I like the long history of Jahagirdar, and I like the Jahagirdar name, which is redolent of Maharashtra/Karnataka history, of Persian Mughals, and of a beautiful, proud culture.
Only available in India: from Jahagirdar, or from GroovyFragrances. No international shipping.
Reviews: 6
High: 50
Low: 30
Average: 42/50
Reviews
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| Jahagirdar First Choice Anarkali Flora (M) Mar 2026 - Score: 50/50 |
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| Jahagirdar First Choice Rose Oudh (M) Mar 2026 - Score: 50/50 |
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| Jahagirdar First Choice Nargis Flora (M) Apr 2026 - Score: 42/50 |
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| Jahagirdar First Choice Sugandh Flora (M) Mar 2026 - Score: 35/50 |
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| Jahagirdar First Choice Turkish Oudh (M) Apr 2026 - Score: 31/50 |
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| Jahagirdar First Choice Majmua (M) Mar 2026 - Score: 30/50 |
Reviews: 6
High: 50
Low: 30
Average: 42/50
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Misbah's Sandal
Misbah Fragrance are an incense house I have really loved since finding them on Aarvaa in 2023. When I first looked them up, I noted that the company was formed in 2017, though other sources mention 1970. They do feel well established and experienced, so I assume the 1970 date is the founding date, and 2017 is when they registered their name and trademark. They make a wide range of incense, though there is a distinct Middle Eastern feel to their fragrances. There is a deep, rich, oily oudh character to this Sandal, for example.
Julian of The Incense Atelier sent me a few sticks of the Sandal as he is considering importing Misbah. I hope he does. This is authentic Indian incense - rich and beautiful. Deep and lasting fragrance. Bold without being harsh or aggressive. I love the layers in this sort of incense, and the huge comforting duvet of rich, woody, sexy, dark scent that envelopes me. Misbah's incense is not regularly imported into the West. Sometimes a few boxes turn up on eBay, and there's always a good supply on Aarvaa, though these days you need to contact Vishesh, the owner of Aarvaa, on WhatsApp (details below) to sort out shipping, which can put off some shy Westerners who'd rather just click and go. Having a ready supply in the UK of some the richest, most beautiful, most authentic Indian incense would be heaven.
The fragrance on the burn is gorgeous. Smoky-sweet, woody, leaning heavily into oudh. This is not pale, creamy, soft, slightly dry sandalwood, this is the heart of the matter, the teeth, claws, and raging glory of the essence of rich, dark, oily sandalwood. If there's a flaw, it's that it is absolutely dark and rich, so while there are layers, they are layers of the same meat, so this is a pie without veg. Yes, there are floral tones, but they are also dark and rich, so the floral notes are heady dark rose, rather than anything light and feminine. I adore it. And lovers of dark, rich incense will also love it. But for greater acclaim and adoration, I would like balancing nips of light and ice to cool down and illuminate the raging dark heart. But put that quibble aside, for as it stands, this is bloody gorgeous.
Available in India from Scenting Secrets and Aavyaa (the free international shipping has stopped - though they still do ship internationally: contact Vishesh on Whatsapp [+91 97100 09184] with a list of what you want, and he will work out postage). May occasionally turn up on eBay - such as here.
Friday, 24 April 2026
Manohar Hari Om
Manohar Sugandhi was founded in Pune in the 1930s, and is a third-generation family-run incense house. This is the fifth and last of five samples sent by Julian of The Incense Atelier. I loved Gurukrupa and Amber Mahal- I was less keen on Manohar Gold.
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| Hari Om Manohar packet |
The sticks are quite chunky - thicker than the average bamboo splint. And there is a generous amount of dough on each stick which is then coated in powdery orange-brown melnoorva/masala powder. Scent on the stick is floral with sharp spikes, and a bubblegum sweetness, with a supporting base of sandalwood. Very attractive, though also reasonably familiar as a generic Indian masala incense. Perhaps a tad more fruit. Good stuff - perhaps more attractive and compelling than average without being distinctive enough to be unusually exciting.
The thickness of the stick makes it a little slower to light than average, but then it does, and it settles quite quickly into a delightful and well balanced burn. The separate aspects of the scent ingredients - the sweet, pale wood, the fruit, the florals, meld well into an accord that resembles Nag Champa, but at the same time skips away from that into something a little cleaner and more refreshing. Not exactly Nag Champa Lite, but more Nag Champa Feminine. Yes, very nice.
The thickness of the stick makes it a little slower to light than average, but then it does, and it settles quite quickly into a delightful and well balanced burn. The separate aspects of the scent ingredients - the sweet, pale wood, the fruit, the florals, meld well into an accord that resembles Nag Champa, but at the same time skips away from that into something a little cleaner and more refreshing. Not exactly Nag Champa Lite, but more Nag Champa Feminine. Yes, very nice.
Manohar incense is available in India from Manohar Sugandhi at 280 Rupees for 50gm. Outside India from The Incense Atelier at prices from £1.75 to £2.75 for 10g plus shipping. There's also a very useful sample pack of 10 different fragrances (2 sticks each) for £3.95 plus postage.
Thursday, 23 April 2026
Stamford Loban
When I started this blog in 2013 Stamford (called Aargee back then) was the main UK incense importer, bringing in brands such as Satya and Goloka, and had their own-brand range of decent quality masala incense under the Aargee name, as well as attractive perfumed incense under the Stamford name. When the company split around 2020, the incense importing business continued as Stamford London, and most of the adventurous Aargee branded masala was discontinued, with Stamford London concentrating on the more popular perfumed incense. However, some masala incense is still sold, such as this Loban. The UK incense market is now quite busy with a wide variety of importers, and where at one time Aargee/Stamford dominated in the own brand market, with only a handful of small time operators like Happy Hari offering a viable alternative, now there are several, such as Gokula, Sai Handicrafts, Oneironaut, Milo's Temple, Sacred Boutique, Temple of Incense, Pure, Zam Zam, True Vrindavan, etc. But it is nice to see, even in a busy marketplace, that Stamford can still deliver attractive masala incense.
There has been some discussion on this blog as I feel, based on a long standing relationship between Aargee/Stamford and Satya, where Stamford developed unique scents with Satya and sold them under a shared Satya & Stamford brand name, and on this range of Stamford masala incense being in boxes that closely echo Satya's boxes, that the incense is made by Satya (Mumbai). However, previous collaborations have indicated on the boxes that the incense was made by Satya, whereas these do not. Nothing is certain, but indicators do point in the direction of Satya.
While loban-sambrani is generally understood in India to be a low cost resin blend of benzoin and other gums and resins which Thomas Kinsella calls "Calcutta block benzoin", in the West it is largely regarded as an exotic term for pure benzoin resin. And I assume the intention here is to create a sweet and beguiling benzoin scent which will have some vanilla qualities among the earthy, herbal sandalwood notes typical of a Bangalore masala incense. And that it won't be that much different from Satya Benzoin. The cold throw scent on the stick is typical Bangalore masala - it has the earthy, herby sandalwood. There's a mildly cool aldehyde note. And perhaps some vanilla, but that could be suggestive.
The scent on the burn is not impressive. A little smoky and vague. Not a lot to say really. Rather disappointing.
There has been some discussion on this blog as I feel, based on a long standing relationship between Aargee/Stamford and Satya, where Stamford developed unique scents with Satya and sold them under a shared Satya & Stamford brand name, and on this range of Stamford masala incense being in boxes that closely echo Satya's boxes, that the incense is made by Satya (Mumbai). However, previous collaborations have indicated on the boxes that the incense was made by Satya, whereas these do not. Nothing is certain, but indicators do point in the direction of Satya.
While loban-sambrani is generally understood in India to be a low cost resin blend of benzoin and other gums and resins which Thomas Kinsella calls "Calcutta block benzoin", in the West it is largely regarded as an exotic term for pure benzoin resin. And I assume the intention here is to create a sweet and beguiling benzoin scent which will have some vanilla qualities among the earthy, herbal sandalwood notes typical of a Bangalore masala incense. And that it won't be that much different from Satya Benzoin. The cold throw scent on the stick is typical Bangalore masala - it has the earthy, herby sandalwood. There's a mildly cool aldehyde note. And perhaps some vanilla, but that could be suggestive.
The scent on the burn is not impressive. A little smoky and vague. Not a lot to say really. Rather disappointing.
Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Vinason's (VNS) Wild Sandal
This has got a delightful sweet coconut note mingled with the sandalwood. There's the usual pine disinfectant in the background that I find on a lot of perfumed incenses, along with bees wax and candyfloss and autumn fruit. And a touch of honey and vanilla. Oooh, it's an enticing aroma. I've noticed vanilla in a few Vinasons incenses. Not strong, but just a hint now and again. And it turns up in other incense houses in Pune, particularly HMS. I have read that vanilla is used as a fixative in perfumery, so I wondered if vanilla was being used. But it could be benzoin, which is also a fixative, and has sweet notes that many folks feel is like vanilla.
I like the earthiness of this on the burn - it's wonderfully compelling, and blends well with the coconut and vanilla. There's a bit of sandalwood here as well, though the other fragrance notes are stronger and louder, and so demand more attention. An interesting and attractive blend. There's some modern aldehydes in here, which create an interesting balance with the more rustic earthy notes, like seeing diamonds scattered on the forest floor. I'm not sure how much it works for me, as sometimes it feels more like a clash than a contrast, but on the whole this is a fascinating incense.
Wild Sandal is available in 20g packs from Padma Store for 6.25 Euros, from Everest Trader for $5.00, from Lotus Zen for £5.45, from The Incense Atelier for £3.85 (excellent price for a Western shop), and from VNS at 85 rupees (70p). (If you live outside India, to buy from VNS contact Shreyas Sugandhi at vns@vnsons.com).
Om Sai Om Brand Tirupati
Tirupati is the home of a number of temples, including Venkateswara, which is the most famous and is known as Tirupati Temple. This Om Brand incense is quite fat and fragrant, quite sharply pungent, lively and floral, in the style of flora/fluxo sticks. There is often an association with temples in such incense, and a use of luxury boxes. While not expressly designed to be used in temples, sticks such as these, and their more modest cousins sold in holy sites such as Vrindavan and Pushkar, are the closest we can come to the mythical "temple incense" that Westerners are often seeking out, but which doesn't actually exist outside of Western marketing. (And I'm pleased to see a Western seller with ethics, The Incense Atelier, calling out this misleading marketing term).
This is a very decent masala/flora incense. It is what experienced incense hunters would expect from such a stick - it is fragrant, resinous, earthy, rich, and floral. It burns fairly gently for such a fat, rich stick. Yes, there is some smoke which will build up over time, so best to open windows, and place the burning stick at a moderate distance from yourself, but it doesn't overwhelm. It is aromatic and attractive, yet gentle. But there little here that is unexpected or interesting. There are those who will be comforted and captivated by its combination of entrancing scent and familiarity, and I will put myself in that group; though there will also be those who would wish for a little more, and I am also in that group. I do like this for what it is, but at the same time I'd like it more if it did something different or something a bit special. However, damn fine incense.
This is a very decent masala/flora incense. It is what experienced incense hunters would expect from such a stick - it is fragrant, resinous, earthy, rich, and floral. It burns fairly gently for such a fat, rich stick. Yes, there is some smoke which will build up over time, so best to open windows, and place the burning stick at a moderate distance from yourself, but it doesn't overwhelm. It is aromatic and attractive, yet gentle. But there little here that is unexpected or interesting. There are those who will be comforted and captivated by its combination of entrancing scent and familiarity, and I will put myself in that group; though there will also be those who would wish for a little more, and I am also in that group. I do like this for what it is, but at the same time I'd like it more if it did something different or something a bit special. However, damn fine incense.
Available direct from Om Sai at 150 Rupees for 100g (in India only), or from Aavyaa for same price, who will ship internationally if you contact Vishesh on WhatsApp (+91-9710009184) with your order and address.
Saturday, 18 April 2026
Happy Hari Kings of Incense Absolut Patchoulli
Another of the Happy Hari incenses from my ten year old backlog. While the Absolut spelling is deliberate - a cheeky reference to Absolut Vodka, I'm not sure if the unusual spelling of patchouli with an extra l was intentional. Anyway. I like patchouli. I find it natural and sexy. I generally like patchouli incense, even when it is mostly synthetic.
The scent on the stick is sweet, powdery, like vanilla icing and coconut. This is as far from natural patchouli as it is possible to get. I love the whole thing about Happy Hari incense - I love the legend, and the way it has been marketed by various Western own brand traders since the death of Paul Eagle (the owner of Happy Hari). And I know I play my part in the Happy Hari legend, along with ORS, for the reviews I've done over the years. Anyway, though I love the whole mystery and legend surrounding Paul Eagle and Happy Hari, I'm quite aware that his choices of supplier were variable and often quite dubious. Some of his choices were great, some less so, and some were quite poor. Essentially there isn't a Happy Hari holy grail - the magic incense spring that produces heavenly scents. It's just Indian incense. I have come upon many unknown Indian incense houses while I have been doing this blog, and Julian of The Incense Atelier, along with Brief Chemistry of the Reddit incense forum, have uncovered loads more through hiring a local in Vrindavan to go out and buy incense and send it to them. And often the incense from these unknown houses is as good or better than the stuff that Paul sold. But, smoke, mirrors, and a good legendary story will make any incense more attractive. However, the scent on the stick is often different to the scent on the burn (sometimes better, especially with perfumed incense, and sometimes not as deep and developed, especially with masala incense). So we'll see what happens.
The scent on the burn is more resinous and earthy than the scent on the stick. But the coconut is still present, and fairly dominant. It unfolds in a fairly smoky manner with the coconut merging into vanilla or benzoin. I'm not sure how much, if any, actual patchouli oil is in this stick. It presents as moderately earthy, vanilla sweet with coconut notes, and a general feel of smoky mainstream Indian incense. The resinous quality is attractive - it grounds the whole, and acts as a good balance to the sweetness. But there's not a lot of genuine patchouli here. Indeed, there's not a lot of even synthetic patchouli fragrance here. But there's a warm, earthy, woody, sweet character that I quite enjoy. This is not awesome incense, it's not on target for patchouli, but it is genuinely warm and enjoyable.
Put aside the smoke and mirrors imagery of the legendary Happy Hari, and what you have is a decent enough Indian masala incense, but nothing special.
The scent on the stick is sweet, powdery, like vanilla icing and coconut. This is as far from natural patchouli as it is possible to get. I love the whole thing about Happy Hari incense - I love the legend, and the way it has been marketed by various Western own brand traders since the death of Paul Eagle (the owner of Happy Hari). And I know I play my part in the Happy Hari legend, along with ORS, for the reviews I've done over the years. Anyway, though I love the whole mystery and legend surrounding Paul Eagle and Happy Hari, I'm quite aware that his choices of supplier were variable and often quite dubious. Some of his choices were great, some less so, and some were quite poor. Essentially there isn't a Happy Hari holy grail - the magic incense spring that produces heavenly scents. It's just Indian incense. I have come upon many unknown Indian incense houses while I have been doing this blog, and Julian of The Incense Atelier, along with Brief Chemistry of the Reddit incense forum, have uncovered loads more through hiring a local in Vrindavan to go out and buy incense and send it to them. And often the incense from these unknown houses is as good or better than the stuff that Paul sold. But, smoke, mirrors, and a good legendary story will make any incense more attractive. However, the scent on the stick is often different to the scent on the burn (sometimes better, especially with perfumed incense, and sometimes not as deep and developed, especially with masala incense). So we'll see what happens.
The scent on the burn is more resinous and earthy than the scent on the stick. But the coconut is still present, and fairly dominant. It unfolds in a fairly smoky manner with the coconut merging into vanilla or benzoin. I'm not sure how much, if any, actual patchouli oil is in this stick. It presents as moderately earthy, vanilla sweet with coconut notes, and a general feel of smoky mainstream Indian incense. The resinous quality is attractive - it grounds the whole, and acts as a good balance to the sweetness. But there's not a lot of genuine patchouli here. Indeed, there's not a lot of even synthetic patchouli fragrance here. But there's a warm, earthy, woody, sweet character that I quite enjoy. This is not awesome incense, it's not on target for patchouli, but it is genuinely warm and enjoyable.
Put aside the smoke and mirrors imagery of the legendary Happy Hari, and what you have is a decent enough Indian masala incense, but nothing special.
Top-Op 4 In 1 Agarbatti - Jasmine
Most Indian jasmine incense is mainly built up using synthetics, though on some of the more expensive incense some jasmine essential oils may be used, though generally only in small amounts. This everyday Top-Op Jasmine will use synthetics for the fragrance, though will have some sandalwood powder and possibly some benzoin or similar resin.
The scent on the stick is sweet, floral, and quite fruity, with some awareness of a sandalwood base. The scent on the burn has "jasmine incense" qualities. Quite mild, and modestly attractive. Warm and gently sweet. Little sign of the fruit scent that's on the stick. It's an OK room freshener. Acceptable for the price (£0.99 from a local Indian corner store, and sometimes seen on an Indian online shop). Imported and branded by Top-Op; made in India, quite likely by a white label incense house in Bangalore.
Variety packs (3-in-1, etc), are popular in Indian communities. And as an incense hunter I like them because I get to experience quickly and relatively inexpensively a range of scents by the same brand. I consider them as samples. The scents in this 4 In 1 pack are a well known blend and three popular mono-scents: Nag Champa, Lavender, Rose, and this Jasmine.
Friday, 17 April 2026
Top-Op everyday incense
Top-Op are UK based importers and distributors of Asian food and supplies who were founded in 1975. Their own brand masala incense is made in India by any one of a number of white label businesses based in Bangalore or Mumbai. It's low cost everyday incense using synthetics and agarbatti oil/DEP. The scents are average room fresheners, or just a bit under. Mostly quite acceptable if not exactly noteworthy. Sold in Indian corner shops and sometimes also online in the UK and Europe. Aimed at British and European Indian customers looking for low cost incense with familiar scents, the range is mostly popular monoscents like Rose and Jasmine with well known blends like Nag Champa.
Reviews
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| Top Op Loban resin (R) Sep 2025 - Score: 42 |
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| Top-Op Sai Flora Agarbatti (M) Apr 2026 - Score: 30 |
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| Top-Op 4 In 1 Agarbatti - Jasmine (M) Apr 2026 - Score: 26 |
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| Top-Op 4 In 1 Agarbatti - Lavender (M) Apr 2026 - Score: 25 |
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| Top-Op Nag Champa Agarbatti (M) Apr 2026 - Score: 24 |
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| Top-Op 4 In 1 - Rose (M) Apr 2026 - Score: 19 |
Reviews: 6
High: 42
Low: 19
Average: 26
High: 42
Low: 19
Average: 26
Conclusion: Low cost everyday masala incense marketed at the British Indian community. Acceptable but uninteresting everyday room fresheners. I won't bother exploring further.
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