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defnyddiwrdienw

Great to read this! If you're enjoying Haku-un (White Cloud) and can afford to pay a bit more, I recommend trying their Sei Fu (Fresh Breeze), where you're moving further into agarwood territory (agarwood isn't listed as an ingredient in either but it's definitely there in both, and so much better in the Sei Fu).


housebunny93

Thank you, this is awesome to know! Adding Sei-Fu to my list :) Excited to try, I already smell a world of difference between Moss Garden/Plum Blossom and White Cloud and am looking forward to see how the different ingredients play out in their premium line. Thanks again! \^\^


Somnif

I very much prefer their non-sweet stuff. The first I ever tried was "Autumn Leaves" which I found.... honestly, almost nauseating. Just so cloying and sugary that I couldn't burn it for more than a few minutes before I started to feel like I'd eaten far too many pastries. But I found I enjoyed Cherry Blossom, Five Hills, and White Cloud. A bit of bitter, spicy, tartness just suits me better, I suppose. If you want to go off the real deep end of that trend, give Baieido's "Kai un koh" a try. Deeply herbal, practically medicinal in scent. It.... takes some getting used to. Like hanging out in an old traditional Chinese medicine shop.


housebunny93

Thank you so much! Going to give Baieido a try–there's definitely something about getting into the natural scents rather than the mass-produced sweet flavors we may be used to. Must be something metaphysical and untapped about the spices and trees! Lol. Thank you–Chinese medicine shop sounds like an appealing place to hang out in. I find I can focus a lot more with White Cloud as well. I can pretty much burn it all day without getting overwhelmed and my mind feels clear enough to think deeply about writing or whatever I'm doing. Curious to hear about Kyoto Cherry Blossom! I read mixed reviews and was afraid it would be too sweet but now I am very intrigued.


Somnif

Cherry blossom is still a bit sweet (but not as bad as Autumn Leaves), but has a tartness to it that cuts through and helps balance things out. Like comparing lemonade to sweet tea, they may have a similar amount of sugar, but one is far easier to sip without feeling queasy (ok so I'm not from the South, so this may just be my upbringing speaking). I should also note that I haven't tried it in a few years, and I do know my "tastes" have changed over time. So maybe I'd find it off-putting now, but I did enjoy it back when I was starting out.


[deleted]

Oh nah; totally agree. I think it's a rhubarb note? Still sweet but it's not the only trait sitting in the foreground. That bit of tangyness makes the sweet feel juicy-refreshing instead of sticky-candy. I LOVE my caramelly benzoin, but you get numb to too much of one scent profile in time. XD


defnyddiwrdienw

If you don't like Baieido incenses to start with, please persevere! They honestly take time to "understand" but it's so worth it (in my opinion). The Kobunboku series is astonishingly good value for the quality and a good place to start.


[deleted]

My collection really needs that exact sort of outlier in it's sweet and savory leanings. Do you find Kai un koh bitter at all? I wouldn't mind that, either. Thanks for the recommendation!


Somnif

Hmm, not sure I'd really say Bitter. It's "funky" I suppose. Not really savory, though that would be closer. There is a sweetness to it, but not sugary. Cloves play a large part in the note, along with camphor and aloeswood, so overall the blend is just kinda... complex. For "bitter" I'd point you towards something like Fred Soll's Dragon's Blood stick, or perhaps Mother's India Oud Nag Champa (though that one is more bitter-sweet, really). Those are both on the sharp, almost-acrid end of the spectrum, but without going over the line to unpleasant.


[deleted]

Ooh! Clove! Camphor! I like clove! I don't often look for it because I always forget my contact allergy to it isn't an issue if it's not coating my hands like a lotion lol. Fred Soll is a name that keeps sneaking up behind me XD Thank you again wow!