DIY Incense - Let's Learn Together

[Olfactory Nomad]

Right enough, I mustn't be seeing straight today haha. I'll give it a go!

@Nathan it occurred to me the other night that I recommended to you a stick that was of single tree origin. Most of the Dreams series are. While still senkoh style, they are not strictly Japanese incense sticks so I apologise for that. Dreams of Merauke is still a great stick however for single tree origin. One that is a blend that I enjoy immensely is 八千世 Eight Milleniums 10g – KANGIITEN https://share.google/FYp1eNteQs9QI1CVk.
I've also been told that Eid Mubharak 2025 Incense 10g – KANGIITEN https://share.google/JT5qG3ujxAiLopeRr
are very very nice and perfectly blended.

 

[Green Dragon]

@Olfactory Nomad I revisited a stick of Gentle Smile Misho this weekend. I think my problem was I was sitting too close on my first trial. It's still a little harsh up close, but given room it softens up to a pleasant scent. I get mainly maple syrup/fenugreek, benzoin, and a hint of patchouli. 6/10, but not worth it for the price in my humble opinion.

I processed some S. album chips this weekend into rough and fine powders, and am eagerly awaiting the first batch of sticks to finish drying to try out. The fresh powder was very fragrant so I'm hoping for good results.

 

[Olfactory Nomad]

@Olfactory Nomad I revisited a stick of Gentle Smile Misho this weekend. I think my problem was I was sitting too close on my first trial. It's still a little harsh up close, but given room it softens up to a pleasant scent. I get mainly maple syrup/fenugreek, benzoin, and a hint of patchouli. 6/10, but not worth it for the price in my humble opinion.

I processed some S. album chips this weekend into rough and fine powders, and am eagerly awaiting the first batch of sticks to finish drying to try out. The fresh powder was very fragrant so I'm hoping for good results.

That's fair enough. Yes, up close would definitely be a bit harsh. My understanding of the Premium series is that they all contain the same ingredients but that they change around the ratios to various degrees so that they get to showcase those ingredients. The higher the cost the more agarwood forward they become. "Enlightenment" is as far as you can go these days unless you happen to stumble across a box of "Translucent Path". Enlightenment is almost a pure agarwood stick. Very different from all the others.

 

[PersonelHigh]

I make my own incense as well, but I realize now why people make sticks and cones. They are simply more efficient. I am just smoking money not using any binders. I use all of the best stuff I've collected. It's ridiculous but smells great anyway and I don't have to worry about extruding or drying... but not practical.

 

[Mr.P]

I make my own incense as well, but I realize now why people make sticks and cones. They are simply more efficient. I am just smoking money not using any binders. I use all of the best stuff I've collected. It's ridiculous but smells great anyway and I don't have to worry about extruding or drying... but not practical.

more efficient because binder takes up some of the volume so you're not just burning through the most expensive stuff in pure form?

 

[Green Dragon]

I really like red sandalwood as a filler/extender in my blends, both loose and stocks. It has very little smell, and helps to stretch the use of the more expensive ingredients. And as it doesn’t have a lot of oils or resin in it, it does not affect the burn temperature.

 

[Mr.P]

I really like red sandalwood as a filler/extender in my blends, both loose and stocks. It has very little smell, and helps to stretch the use of the more expensive ingredients. And as it doesn’t have a lot of oils or resin in it, it does not affect the burn temperature.

I believe tabu-no-ki has a similar use. it has a mild woody aroma of its own that I have come to enjoy as part of the background scent of some of my blends