The Incense Hunter

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Monday, 18 May 2026

Raajsee Nag Champa Natural Incense Cones



Quite a cool and pleasant perfume in the general direction of a commercial Nag Champa scent. A little sweeter and more floral than average, with a sharp volatility, but quite acceptable as an everyday room freshener. A little muddled and smoky on the burn if too close, but acceptable at a distance. The after scent or sillage is also sweet, pleasant and acceptable. Quite a modest but pleasant everyday room freshener. 


Date: May 2026    Score: 23/50
***

Raajsee of Jaipur


Raajsee are based in Jaipur in northern India, and were established as a business in 1957. They also sell tapestries and handmade wooden items. It looks like they added incense to their portfolio at a later date. Though they say "made from scratch", it is not clear if Raajsee make the incense themselves. They also sell HEM and Satya incense. They have companies with the names J.P. Fashions, and Enn Dee International, which operate from the same Jaipur address. The holding company is Raajsee Pride, which has Nishant Nagpal and Dishant Nagpal ("Enn" and "Dee") as proprietors. 
  
The Raajsee operation centre



Reviews


  
Raajsee Nag Champa Cones (P)
May 2026 - Score: 23



Raajsee Dragon's Blood Cones (P)
May 2026 - Score: 21/50


Reviews: 
Top score: 
Bottom score: 
Average: 
***







Raajsee Dragon's Blood Natural Incense Cones



Raajsee are based in Jaipur in northern India, and were established as a business in 1957. They also sell tapestries and handmade wooden items. It looks like they added incense to their portfolio at a later date. Though they say "made from scratch", it is not clear if Raajsee make the incense themselves. They also sell HEM and Satya incense. They have companies with the names J.P. Fashions, and Enn Dee International, which operate from the same Jaipur address. The holding company is Raajsee Pride, which has Nishant Nagpal and Dishant Nagpal ("Enn" and "Dee") as proprietors. 

I picked up an assorted pack of Raajsee cones on Amazon: 6 packs for £12 - an average sort of price. We tend to use incense cones as a convenient room freshener, especially in the bathroom; and I am an incense hunter, so when I top up our room freshener cones I do like to look for incenses houses I've not previously reviewed.  While I have enjoyed the scents of various cones over the years, I tend not to regard them as "proper" incense. Not exactly sure why, as if I was wearing a blindfold, I'm not sure I could tell the difference between a cone and a stick from the same incense house. I like sticks, and I like dhoop, and I like pure resin - I have a positive association with those. But cones I tend to regard as second class incense, and best used as room fresheners. With some exceptions, they don't excite me. I often find them cute and fun, though. Ho hum.   

Scent on the cone is perfumed. Pleasant. Quite clean - a little like the synthetic aroma White Musk. The scent on the burn is less clean - it's a little scratchy and has a note of scorched paper. There's a powdery talc note, and again that White Musk. It's acceptable rather than interesting or fragrant. Decent enough at a distance, and with some fresh air. 


Date: May 2026    Score: 21/50
***

Sunday, 17 May 2026

HEM Call Client cones



An incense termed Call Client falls into the attract wealth group of incenses. The notion being that the scents in the incense will bring luck or fortune. Perhaps the scent will help give you confidence, such as frankincense, which slows down breathing, and helps give mental focus, or perhaps the scent will attract people into your shop - the idea being that you light up a Call Client cone, the scent drifts into the street, and  customers are drawn to the pleasing scent and come into your shop. 

And the HEM Call Client scent is pleasant, though quite average. It smells like a typical everyday decent quality perfumed incense. There's a grounding of musk and sandalwood, layered with light blue florals, violet, lotus, iris, and some energy boosting citric notes - just light touches to sharpen and balance the accord. It is well made and decent, though nothing special. I kinda like it, but its more like fragrant wallpaper than a painting. 


Date: May 2026   Score: 26/50
***

HEM Corporation


Saturday, 16 May 2026

Bangalore Incense Store Jaygee Dragon Blood Masala Backflow Cones

 


In general I like the incense made and sold by Jaygee Mavalur in his Bangalore Incense Store, and I like Jaygee. We have chatted a fair bit over the past six months, as Jaygee has aimed to create an online store that is fairly priced, and has a shipping policy that is inviting to Western users. The site usefully has prices converted to your local currency. If there are any problems, text Jaygee on his WhatsApp number: +91-8549904990, and he will sort it. 

Having said that in general I like Jaygee's incense, I unfortunately haven't found the backflow cones to be to my taste. They are nicely made, and produce attractive waterfall smoke, and have a decent aroma, so are better than the average backflow; but I find them a little mild for my taste, and not on target for the intended fragrance. But this Dragon Blood cone has pleased and impressed me. The cold throw scent on the cone is a little soapy, like a mild, clean sandalwood soap; however, the scent on the burn is very charming. Sweet and gently musky, with an awareness of white musk and patchouli, it is a pleasing accord. Quite perfumed, so not for those who favour earthy, natural, botanical incense; but quite delightful for those who simply enjoy decent perfumes and delightful scents. For anyone who is looking for a backflow cone that actually smells good - here is one that is very yummy indeed. This is likely to be the best backflow cone I've experienced so far.

Be aware that the smoke from backflow cones will stain, and the accumulated residue has an unpleasant smell, and is unpleasant to clean, so use backflow cones with care. Place your backflow waterfall or holder on a disposable or easily cleanable surface, such as a large plate. 

Available from Bangalore Incense at a box of 10 cones for £0.39. Bangalore Incense ships internationally. 


Date: Nov 2025   Score: 36/50
***
   

Dragon's blood

Bangalore Incense Store Jaygee Patchouli Masala Backflow Cones



Soapy scent on the cone. A little musky. Pleasant.  Scent on the burn is modest, can fade to smoky, and not actually much on target for the named scent of patchouli (but this is not uncommon). The after scent is pleasant, though a tad perfumed and clean. I like my patchouli more earthy and sexy. 

Be aware that the smoke from backflow cones will stain, and the accumulated residue has an unpleasant smell, and is unpleasant to clean, so use backflow cones with care. Place your backflow waterfall or holder on a disposable or easily cleanable surface, such as a large plate. 

Available from Bangalore Incense at a box of 10 cones for £0.39. Bangalore Incense ships internationally. 


Date: Nov 2025   Score: 22/50
***
   


Thursday, 14 May 2026

Bangalore Incense Store Jaygee Cinnamon Masala Backflow Cones



I love the idea of backflow cones - the waterfall of smoke looks beautiful. But the after smell of the unburned particles which flow downwards is like a dirty ashtray, and the downflowing smoke leaves a sticky mess that stains and is hard to clean. However, Jaygee of Bangalore Incense Store sent me these to review, and we are just running out of the cones which we use as room fresheners, so I'll light one up and go for it! 

Cinnamon, which is the tree bark of various related cinnamon trees, has an attractive fragrance, which can make for a delightful and satisfying incense.  The scent on the cone is warm, spicy, dark, oily, slight sweet, and quite inviting. It is an exotic fragrance, yet also quite dirty, which gives it a pleasing and compelling and quite sexy depth. 

The scent on the burn is fairly modest, which is a shame as the cold throw scent was quite promising. I think the nature of backflow cones is such that much of the scent is taken down by the descending smoke, and remains largely unburned, so the fragrance is not able to be fully displayed. Meanwhile, the smoke spreads out over whatever the cone stands on, and can stain and leave unpleasant smells. But it does burn well, and the smoke flows downwards very beautifully.

Available from Bangalore Incense at a box of 10 cones for £0.39. Bangalore Incense ships internationally. 


Date: Nov 2025   Score: 22/50
***
   


Guggul - India's Myrrh

 


Gugal is the resin from commiphora wightii, a plant in the torchwood family which includes frankincense and myrrh. It is native to India, and has been used for over 3,000 years as a medicine and ritual incense.  The scent is regarded as similar to myrrh, though less bitter. 


Reviews


Vinason's (VNS) Gugul (M)
Nov 2025 - Score: 37/50
   
   
Stamford Gugal (PM)
May 2026 - Score: 25/50


Yadalam Vaastu Gugal Thick Dhoop (D)
Nov 2018: 20/50* (out of business) 
 

 Vaishnodevi Gugal Dhoop (WD)
 Apr 2014 -Score: 11/50*
   

Reviews: 4
High score: 37
Low score: 11
Average: 23
***

Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Stamford Gugal



Gugal is the resin from commiphora wightii, a plant in the torchwood family which includes frankincense and myrrh. It is native to India, and has been used for over 3,000 years as a medicine and ritual incense

Stamford are a well established and leading importer of Indian incense into the UK; their own brand incenses have generally come from a number of major Indian incense houses, such as Satya

This is a standard machine-extruded masala paste on a pink stick (the box says "Hand-Rolled", but it is clear the paste has been machine extruded; perhaps the melnoova/masala powder was rolled onto the paste by hand). Scent is mild aldehydes, white musk, rubber bands, gentle pink florals, fresh daisies. I've had a couple of guggul incenses, though I'm not really familiar with the scent. There isn't really a sense of resin about the cold throw scent. 

The scent on the burn is gentle, and is fairly resinous. It's a little dry and simple for me, but it's an OK scent. A dry, mild, frankincense fragrance.  Quite acceptable, but not something I'm inclined to buy again.


Date: May 2026  Score: 25/50
***

Stamford London

Saturday, 9 May 2026

Baykeri's Shri Chandan



Julian of The Incense Atelier sent me samples from a range of Baykeri incense he is selling. Shivranjani, the flagship brand of Baykeri, is a well known and auspicious incense in India; Julian told me that he had fond memories of it from his days out in India. He started selling it on ebay, and I have become aware that a few other places in the West also sell it. And now, through The Incense Atelier, Julian is bringing to the West more Baykeri incense; selling them in his own branded packaging, which is all biodegradable. It appears that, other than Shivranjani, The Incense Atelier is the only outlet for Baykeri's incense outside of India. 



Chandan is sandalwood - one of the great incenses, used for thousands of years as fragrance. It is at the heart of Indian and Asian incense (less so in Japan, where agarwood is more popular), though in India it is usually the essence of sandalwood fragrance rather than actual sandalwood that is used - sometimes via alternative natural oils, sometimes via aroma molecules, and often both. 

The scent profile on the stick is a little harsh - tickly tree bark at the back of the throat, generic soapy notes, with a general sense of woody sandalwood. This appears to be a blend of natural wood substitutes with aroma molecules. There is a pleasing freshness about the whole - a feel of walking over a bed of dried pine needles on a fresh morning.

The scent on the burn is softer and sweeter, and more fragrant than that on the stick. Some patchouli notes creep in - which is always going to please me, along with soft, sweet florals. Yes, this is an attractive room freshener. I wouldn't say the burn has a distinct sandalwood character, but it is quite acceptable.   

Available in India from ShivranjaniAgarbatti (Baykeri) at 100g for ₹840 (no international shipping on website). Available in the UK from TheIncenseAtelier starting at 10g for £2.65, or as part of a useful sample pack of two sticks each of seven fragrances for £4.45. International shipping available. 


Date: May 2026   Score:  29/50

Sandalwood - Heart of Incense

Baykeri's Siddhi Vinayak

 


Julian of The Incense Atelier has sent me three samples from a range of Baykeri incense he is selling on his website. I reviewed Shivranjani, the flagship brand of Baykeri. It is a well known and auspicious incense in India, as it was launched by the Indian spiritual leader (or godman)  Satya Sai Baba (the same person used as a brand name by Shrinivas Sugandhalaya of Satya Nag Champa fame). Julian told me that he had fond memories of it from his days out in India. He started selling it on ebay, and I have become aware that a few other places in the West also sell it. And now, through The Incense Atelier, Julian is bringing to the West more Baykeri incense; selling them in his own branded packaging, which is all biodegradable.

The name, Siddhi Vinayak, is a reference to the elephant god Ganesha, who removes obstacles and brings good luck. There is a notable temple to him in Mumbai, the home of Baykeri. 


The scent on the stick is spicy, warm, floral, with notes of fresh leather, honey, and twiggy wood. The scent on the burn is a tad dry and woody and inclined to be a bit smoky (I got complaints, and more doors were opened while burning). The ambience aligns with South Indian tradition, particularly Pondicherry, than with the more Persian/Arabian tradition of North India, particularly Pune.  My own tastes are more to the sweet and delicious than the sombre and dry, so this is not to my taste. Though those who like incense such as the Mothers might enjoy it. 

Available in India from ShivranjaniAgarbatti (Baykeri) at 100g for ₹1460 (no international shipping on website). Available in the UK from TheIncenseAtelier starting at 10g for £3.20, or as part of a useful sample pack of two sticks each of seven fragrances for £4.45.  International shipping available. 


Date: May 2026   Score:  28/50
***



Friday, 8 May 2026

Baykeri's of Mumbai



Baykeri's are a Mumbai incense house formed in 1970 with the launch of their flagship brand, Shivranjani; a well known and auspicious incense in India, as the company managed to get the Indian spiritual leader (or godman)  Satya Sai Baba (the same person used as a brand name by Shrinivas Sugandhalaya of Satya Nag Champa fame) to take part in the launch. 
A solid and traditional incense house mostly in the South Indian style, tending to dry and sombre rather like Pondicherry, though some fragrances have gentle floral notes which gives them an attractive lift. On the whole not my thing, as I tend to prefer richer, sweeter incense with Persian/Arabian influence, such as that from Pune, though the incense is decent and well made. 



Reviews


Baykeri's Shivranjani (M)
Sep 2025 - Score: 33
  
   
Baykeri's Vardaan (PM)
May 2026 - Score: 33

   
Baykeri's Shri Chandan (M)
May 2026 - Score: 29

  
Baykeri's Siddhi Vinayak (M)
May 2026 - Score: 28


Review: 4
High: 33
Low: 28
Average: 31
***