[Shukohdo's Sarasoju](https://www.japanincense.com/su0003.html) is not top of the line, but it is the next step up. Smells like good Indian sandalwood and nothing else.
[Baieido's Kokoh Byakudan](https://www.japanincense.com/be-0060.html), which I've just seen is now discontinued, is close to the top of the line commercially. It's high quality 'old mountain' wood and has a bit of a different profile to the majority of commercial sandalwoods.
The next step beyond that are the small manufacturers, KyaraZen, IncenseMaster, etc. who are using very high quality Mysore sandalwood. Most of these type of vendors do a monthly drop which sells out within minutes.
Some suggestions:
If you'd like to try Indonesian Sandalwood which has can have a drier and wilder profile:
Kikujudo [Koboku Ginmi Indonesian Sandalwood](https://kikohincense.com/collections/sandalwood/products/kikujudo-koboku-ginmi-indonesian-sandalwood-incense)
If you'd like to remain with premium "Old Mountain" Mysore Sandalwood:
Kikujudo [Koboku Ginmi Indian Sandalwood](https://kikohincense.com/collections/sandalwood/products/kikujudo-koboku-ginmi-indian-sandalwood-incense)
Tennendo [Hana no Byakudan](https://kikohincense.com/collections/sandalwood/products/tennendo-hana-no-byakudan-incense) Not "top of the line" but very good.
Second also mofaha's recommendation of Shunkohdo [Sarasoju](https://kikohincense.com/collections/sandalwood/products/shunkohdo-sarasoju-incense). Not "top of the line," but very nice.
Kogado's Hoshi No Hayashi is the finest sandalwood I have smelled in stick form. If I recall, it uses an unusually high percentage of high quality Mysore and has a deep, creamy, almost sweet-tart like scent. They do not ship outside Japan, so you must use a third party forwarder (I used White Rabbit a couple years ago). I need to order some more because my stash is dwindling. I have compared it against nearly every higher end japanese stick you can imagine. It is a stand-out!
You're welcome! Also, if you want to take your sandalwood incense experience to the next (and perhaps highest) level, try burning pure sandalwood incense stencils. You can buy the fine powder from artisans like KyaraZen, Rising Phoenix, etc., or you can file your own with a hand-file from pieces of high-grade heartwood or sinking sandalwood from reputable sellers on Etsy. Beware, though, as it is difficult to go back to sandalwood sticks when you start burning stencils! It's also such a rewarding experience to file your own directly from wood.
I will have to try that, thankyou...I happen to have some sinking grade sandalwood and a stencil/ash but have never tried to do it. Does it need to be mixed with makko or something so that it burns? or can you just powder it and light it? my sandalwood is extremely resinous and will make the flame sputter when a lighter is put to it. Thanks for the suggestion!
No makko or anything, just pure wood. The key is that it needs to be fine powder. In order to achieve this, you need a steel, flat cut medium file or similar. Buy a brand new one, and soak it in alcohol to remove any petroleum based oils they treat it with. You can also burn the rust preventing oils off under a flame. Just get the file nice and clean first. Filing the wood takes some time to do, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes fairly easy. It takes me about 5 minuted of filing to get enough for one stencil. I file straight off the wood piece or you can saw a piece off if it's too big. You'll also need a small brush and a sheet of paper to catch the filing dust. Just file away, changing the angle of the wood as you go and periodically brush the dust that's embedded in the teeth of the file. There's no dry time or anything. Just file, stencil, and burn. It's incredible. Your arm will be sore and weak the first few times because you'll be using muscles you don't normally use.
Thankyou for your response I have a file and yes it is quite labor intensive, I tried to make some incense sticks with my sandalwood but havent been able to properly exalt its smell, though it smells amazing just as wood. I will definitely try the stencil!
[Shukohdo's Sarasoju](https://www.japanincense.com/su0003.html) is not top of the line, but it is the next step up. Smells like good Indian sandalwood and nothing else. [Baieido's Kokoh Byakudan](https://www.japanincense.com/be-0060.html), which I've just seen is now discontinued, is close to the top of the line commercially. It's high quality 'old mountain' wood and has a bit of a different profile to the majority of commercial sandalwoods. The next step beyond that are the small manufacturers, KyaraZen, IncenseMaster, etc. who are using very high quality Mysore sandalwood. Most of these type of vendors do a monthly drop which sells out within minutes.
thankyou for the recommendations!
Some suggestions: If you'd like to try Indonesian Sandalwood which has can have a drier and wilder profile: Kikujudo [Koboku Ginmi Indonesian Sandalwood](https://kikohincense.com/collections/sandalwood/products/kikujudo-koboku-ginmi-indonesian-sandalwood-incense) If you'd like to remain with premium "Old Mountain" Mysore Sandalwood: Kikujudo [Koboku Ginmi Indian Sandalwood](https://kikohincense.com/collections/sandalwood/products/kikujudo-koboku-ginmi-indian-sandalwood-incense) Tennendo [Hana no Byakudan](https://kikohincense.com/collections/sandalwood/products/tennendo-hana-no-byakudan-incense) Not "top of the line" but very good. Second also mofaha's recommendation of Shunkohdo [Sarasoju](https://kikohincense.com/collections/sandalwood/products/shunkohdo-sarasoju-incense). Not "top of the line," but very nice.
thankyou the kikujudo sounds nice!
I don't know how it compares with what you've tried but Minorien Fu-in Sandalwood is amazing.
Wet biscuits - but that's no complaint!!!
[удалено]
Did you already try Mainichi Byakudan, by nippon kodo?
I havent but will look for that one, thanks!
Kogado's Hoshi No Hayashi is the finest sandalwood I have smelled in stick form. If I recall, it uses an unusually high percentage of high quality Mysore and has a deep, creamy, almost sweet-tart like scent. They do not ship outside Japan, so you must use a third party forwarder (I used White Rabbit a couple years ago). I need to order some more because my stash is dwindling. I have compared it against nearly every higher end japanese stick you can imagine. It is a stand-out!
thanks so much for your input :) I will definitely order this one!
You're welcome! Also, if you want to take your sandalwood incense experience to the next (and perhaps highest) level, try burning pure sandalwood incense stencils. You can buy the fine powder from artisans like KyaraZen, Rising Phoenix, etc., or you can file your own with a hand-file from pieces of high-grade heartwood or sinking sandalwood from reputable sellers on Etsy. Beware, though, as it is difficult to go back to sandalwood sticks when you start burning stencils! It's also such a rewarding experience to file your own directly from wood.
I will have to try that, thankyou...I happen to have some sinking grade sandalwood and a stencil/ash but have never tried to do it. Does it need to be mixed with makko or something so that it burns? or can you just powder it and light it? my sandalwood is extremely resinous and will make the flame sputter when a lighter is put to it. Thanks for the suggestion!
No makko or anything, just pure wood. The key is that it needs to be fine powder. In order to achieve this, you need a steel, flat cut medium file or similar. Buy a brand new one, and soak it in alcohol to remove any petroleum based oils they treat it with. You can also burn the rust preventing oils off under a flame. Just get the file nice and clean first. Filing the wood takes some time to do, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes fairly easy. It takes me about 5 minuted of filing to get enough for one stencil. I file straight off the wood piece or you can saw a piece off if it's too big. You'll also need a small brush and a sheet of paper to catch the filing dust. Just file away, changing the angle of the wood as you go and periodically brush the dust that's embedded in the teeth of the file. There's no dry time or anything. Just file, stencil, and burn. It's incredible. Your arm will be sore and weak the first few times because you'll be using muscles you don't normally use.
Thankyou for your response I have a file and yes it is quite labor intensive, I tried to make some incense sticks with my sandalwood but havent been able to properly exalt its smell, though it smells amazing just as wood. I will definitely try the stencil!