Incense of the Day

[Oudamberlove]

Minimal at best is my guess.

 

[hawk_757]

Minorien Fu-in Sandalwood for the early evening. I think this is a beautiful representation of sandalwood. Milky sweet woody perfection.

 

[zahir]

Minorien Fu-in Sandalwood for the early evening. I think this is a beautiful representation of sandalwood. Milky sweet woody perfection.

I would recommend you try the Mysore Sandalwood stick from Ken as well. The sheer power of the mysore-typical notes in his sticks is mind blowing.

 

[hawk_757]

I would recommend you try the Mysore Sandalwood stick from Ken as well. The sheer power of the mysore-typical notes in his sticks is mind blowing.

Thanks for the recommend, I’m sure I will at one point soon. Yamadamatsu Kayo (and now) Fu-in Sandalwood are my budget daily drivers.
I’ve tried JK’s mysore sticks which are incredibly good (and appropriately pricey) - no doubt Ken has an equally spectacular offering for a special occasion mysore stick!

 

[hawk_757]

Gyokushodo’s Sandal-forward Hana no Sho before bed.

For a while, I’ve been on the hunt for my favorite Japanese Sandalwood stick and I believe I’ve found it in Minorien’s Fu-in Sandalwood. However, I have to say Gyokushodo definitely gives Minorien’s stick a run for it’s money. Hana no Sho strikes a happy medium between the “wet,” brighter sweetness of Minorien’s stick and the antique woody, drier qualities of Yamadamatsu’s Kayo. The reason why I probably won’t call this stick my daily-driver Byakudan is the price. Basically, double the price for the same amount of sticks as Minorien and Yamadamatsu. Not to mention, the presence of Hana no Sho is a bit more subdued compared to the room-filling qualities of Kayo and Fu-in Sandalwood. Great stick, but I’ll probably stick with Minorien/Yamadamatsu.

 

[Oudamberlove]

You can’t go wrong with the Fu-in Sandalwood stick, in it’s price range, it’s tops. Yamadamatsu Kouboku Senshu Sandalwood may contain more sandalwood, but is full of a “burning wood” note.
Minorien uses agarwood resin in it’s Fu-in Aloeswood stick, I wouldn’t be surprised if they add a sandalwood extract to their sandalwood stick….it pops with a sandalwood oil note more so than even the Artisan sticks I’ve tried.

Today…
Tennendo Keryu
Big agarwood hit, but quite flavorless, if anything, a dry sand smell😁

 

[hawk_757]

Gyokushodo’s Mori no Sho (woodland) for the afternoon.

I definitely enjoy this blend. I believe this is a bit heavier on the aloes than it is on sandal and it strikes a nice balance between dry woody, resinous, baking spice, and sweet tones. It’s very smooth and it fluctuates prominence between those tones, yet it has an almost perfumey floral quality when they harmonize. Excellent.

 

[hawk_757]

You can’t go wrong with the Fu-in Sandalwood stick, in it’s price range, it’s tops. Yamadamatsu Kouboku Senshu Sandalwood may contain more sandalwood, but is full of a “burning wood” note.
Minorien uses agarwood resin in it’s Fu-in Aloeswood stick, I wouldn’t be surprised if they add a sandalwood extract to their sandalwood stick….it pops with a sandalwood oil note more so than even the Artisan sticks I’ve tried.

Today…
Tennendo Keryu
Big agarwood hit, but quite flavorless, if anything, a dry sand smell😁

I suspect you’re right about sandal resinoid/oil being used. Matter of fact, after doing a bit of homework on Gyokushodo, my guess is they are utilizing oils/extracts as well. Very happy with them thus far.

 

[hawk_757]

As I’m taking more time with Yamadamatsu’s Sasora, the more I realize this is an exceptional Agarwood stick. In an upright burn position, I definitely get those buttery “sinking grade” notes and the spices are smooth and sweet, yet warming like a Punjabi chai or chili spiked bittersweet hot chocolate. ☺️

 

[Taesik Yun]

Testing out 58% Cultivated white kyara, 17% Charcoal, 25% Binder.
earlier I tested with 10%, 15% charcoal, 15%, 20%, 25% binder but those formulas didn't stay lit.

now it stays lit but I'm not happy with the result because it makes too much smoke. cough- cough-

 

[Castingshadows]

I’ve been burning KyaraZen’s City of Cham lately. Smelling from the box you’d expect an earthy, petrichor aroma from the smoke. I even get hints of mint and a wet jungle type of aroma. Burning the stick is a different story. It’s all sweet berries, ancient woods and resinous incense. Lots of complexity here. I don’t remember what region this is from as I lost the little info card it came with.

I can’t tell if there’s ambergris in this or not. The color of the stick has turned a bit grey since I first purchased it from Kangiiten. Very nice.

 

[Castingshadows]

The sticks themselves have a very strong clove smell with other spices. But on burning, everything seems to be mixed in and I don't get as much musk as one of his previous sticks. Agarwood is very subtle.

I noticed that clove note as well. Smelling from the tube I almost expected a tibetan vibe from how intense the spices are. I’d say in comparison to Lokuttara the musk is much more subtle but it’s still loud and clear with Smiling Plum. I’d say overall it’s a well blended stick but I’m sensitive to powder notes. Smiling Plum is much more my speed when it comes to deer musk in a blend verse the intensity of Lokuttara.

 

[Oudamberlove]

KZ Sandalwood Saffron stick

It seems like the saffron note has weakened over time.

 

[DubOudh]

Am burning some of these the last few days... Very delightful. My room has been transformed into a cathedral vision...well in scent anyway. Got these from @Andrew Salkin last year. My Japanese is no good....anybody know what these are?

 

[Oudamberlove]

Shoyeido Translucent Path

Love the scent, and the name
“Translucent Path” is nice also😁

 

[Castingshadows]

Burned the last sliver of a blend from one of our members. I believe it was Mysore and civet. Thanks again for your kindness!

Civet is an underrated material in incense.

 

[hawk_757]

After being away for a couple days on a much needed getaway, I lit up a Mori no Sho stick from Gyokushodo.

After listening to multiple sticks of Gyokushodo’s Mori no Sho (Woodland), I have to say I really enjoy this stick. It’s a beautiful Agarwood blend that is smooth and perfumey, spicy-sweet, dry-woody, yet hints of resinousness. I would also mention this is a very “quiet” stick that will not necessarily fill up a room or become overpowering. This is one to which you will need to pay more attention.

 

[Oudamberlove]

Baieido Kyara Kokoh

My once monthly treat🙂

 

[hawk_757]

Starting my day with a stick of Nami no Sho (Wave) by Gyokushodo.

This one’s name is very appropriate considering the scent profile is both substantial and oceanic.

Specifically, Nami is a bolder, more room filling Agarwood-forward scent. Nothing subtle about it, yet still refined. You can tell this is where Gyokushodo gets “expensive.”

The stick is obviously heavy with Indonesian Agarwood, rich and sweet, yet slightly musky with oceanic tones. However, my guess is there is an addition of some animalics in the form of Onycha shells, ambergris tincture, or something of the like to amplify the Agarwood’s natural oceanic tones.

I’ve noticed my partner prefers sandalwood based scents (Hana no Sho and Tennendo’s frankincense are her favorites) but for me, the heavy Agarwood and animalics of Nami no Sho are particularly satisfying.

 

[Oudamberlove]

Baieido Jinkoh Kokoh
Old batch
I was expecting a Jinkoh bomb
but it’s more medicinal.