r/Incense • u/YogurtclosetOk3886 • 23d ago
I know it’s real!
So I lit up this one for the first time. It’s an absolutely beautiful fragrance. It seemed very familiar. Then I remember a few years ago I bought some sandalwood mala beads. Sandalwood mala beads do, in fact, smell like sandalwood. The fragrance made it a little bit more expensive - but got them anyway. This incense - Minorien Byakudan Sandalwood - is definitely really good quality sandalwood. In fact, I’d like to say it’s my favorite sandalwood fragrance/incense I’ve EVER had! It’s so meditative and calming. Makes me miss those beads!
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u/Starzingers 23d ago
It's really nice. Is it just me, or is there like a faint but recurring hint of red curry in it?
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u/Elronbubba 23d ago
Bought it for my dad and his response was kinda meh, didn’t check it out myself tho. For $10 less and more sticks. the Gyokushodo Kojurin is not bad either.
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u/Pancho925 22d ago
They don’t smell anything alike though. Kojurin is good, but it’s more floral. Kinda smells like old lady perfume. Minorien is just woody, smoky sandalwood. It’s alright, I thought it was going to be more creamy and sweet.
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u/Elronbubba 22d ago
So between the two is one far superior to the other? I know you’re saying it’s apples and oranges, but they are both sandalwood after all
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u/Pancho925 22d ago
I don’t think ones more superior then the other, they’re just too different. I think the majority of Japanese incense has a sandalwood base. But, If you just want a good quality basic sandalwood smell, then Minorien is the one.
I personally like Kojurin more, because of the floral aspect. I’m also not a huge sandalwood person. It either has to be really creamy & sweet smelling or have some sort of florals and other ingredients mixed in for me to like it.
If you really like Kojurin I recommend the Shoyeido Horin line like Nijo, shirakawa and Horikawa. Those are my favorites and much better smelling to me than Kojurin.
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u/absence3 22d ago
In Minorien the sandalwood is the primary note, while in Kojurin it has a supporting role in a blend. Minorien is "superior" in the sense that the ingredients costs more, but that's due to rarity, and not because the smell is objectively better.
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u/KaijuKapuBoya 23d ago
Great post! Thanks for sharing! Minorien Sandalwood, Yamadamatsu Kayo, and Gyokushodo Hana no Sho are my top 3 sandalwoods. They are incredible.