The Incense Hunter

Photos used in reviews are taken by me, sometimes supported by promotional photos. Some illustrative images on general pages may be AI-generated or AI-assisted.
Showing posts with label Om. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Om. Show all posts

Wednesday, 7 February 2024

Om Sai (Om Brand) Agarbatti

 


Om Sai Agarbatti Works (also trading as Om Brand Agarbatti)  were founded in 1988 in Mumbai, and they make their own synthetic fragrances in-house. They have a varied range of incenses, both perfumed and masala.

Reviews


Om Brand Sweet Musk Incense Flora Sticks (M)
Jan 2025 - Score: 43/50↑


Om Brand Vedamrut Oudh (M)
Oct 2023 - Score: 39/50


Om Sai Om Brand Tirupati (M)
Apr 2026 - Score: 37/50


Om Brand Vedamrut Saffron Sandal (M)
Feb 2024 - Score: 37/50 


Om Brand Trishala Patchouli (P)
Feb 2024 - Score: 37/50


Om Sai's Trishala Heena Agarbatti (PM)
Feb 2024 - Score: 36/50 


Om Brand Vedamrut Nargis (PM)
 Oct 2023 - Score: 32/50 

   
Om Brand Trishala Yash (P)
Feb 2024 - Score: 29/50 

  
Om Brand Trishala Chandan (P)
Feb 2024 - Score: 28/50 

  
Om Brand Trishala
Chandan Dhoop Sticks
 (PD)
Feb 2026 - Score: 28/50


Om Sai Om Brand
White Musk Dhoop Sticks
 (PD
Feb 2026 - Score: 28/50


Om Sai Om Brand Trishala
Patchouli Dhoop Sticks
 (PD)
Feb 2026 - Score: 28/50 

  
Om Sai's Vithoba Flora Sticks (M)
March 2024 - Score: 27/50


Om Brand Vedamrut Lavender (P)
 Sept 2023 - Score: 24/50


Om Brand Vedamrut Chandan (P)
July 2023 - Score: 23/50

 
Om Brand Trishala Silver Coin (P)
Feb 2024 - Score: 21/50

   
Om Brand Trishala Gulab (P)
Feb 2024 - Score: 20/50


Reviews: 17
Top Score: 43
Bottom Score: 20
Average: 29/50
***


Monday, 14 December 2020

Fair Trade Incense Works/ Incense Collective / Nitiraj / Om / Bombay

 
Incense Collective - previously known as Fair Trade Incense Works, are based in Mumbai and mostly make incense for others to brand as their own, though they did have some brands of their own which they distributed themselves, Om Incense, Nitiraj Incense and Natural Incense. Of those, only Om and Nitiraj appear to still be available.  Bombay Incense was the company's distribution branch set up by Nitin Bulsara, son of the founders of Fair Trade/Incense Collective. Nitraj is named after Nitin and his brother Raj. Bombay Incense was set up in Birmingham, UK in 1979, and then also in Florida, USA in 1991. Distribution rights have since been given to Kheops International in North America, KO Shop in Australia, Liberty Trading in Japan, and Namaste in the UK. Bombay Incense distribution closed down in Dec 2024.

Fair Trade/Nitiraj make perfumed masala aimed at the Western market. They tend to use machines. This is a reliable and economical method of making incense sticks, though some purists prefer their incense sticks to be hand rolled.

I tend to quite like Fair Trade products, but never get excited by them. They are always decent scents, and the incense is well made, professional, and consistent. But there is not much excitement, creativity, or heart about them. This is professionally made incense, made with a clear eye on the profit line. Job done. There is nothing wrong with them, except, like HEM and SAC Sandesh, they lack soul. Companies like this show that it doesn't matter if the incense is masala or perfumed, what matters is the attitude and spirit of the makers.

Reviews

* = Review over five years old, so may not be reliable

Match 2017 - Score: 35*


Aug 2013 - Score: 33*


Om Temple (M)
Aug 2025 - Score: 32↑ 


Nitiraj Laxmi (PM)
Nov 2025 - Score: 31


Om Amber (PM)
Jan 2023 - Score: 30

 
April 2018 - Score: 28*

  
Nitiraj Purple Champa (PM)
Nov 2025 - Score: 28


Om Exotic (PM)
Dec 2020 - Score: 27*

 
Feb 2023 - Score: 23


Nitiraj Green Champa (PM)
Nov 2021 - Score: 21


Om Frankincense (M)
Dec 2020 - Score: 21*

 
Nitraj Om Natural (PM)
Feb 2023 - Score: 20 

Reviews: 12 
High score: 35 
Low score: 20 
Average: 29