Episode
Season 7 Ep 15: Holy Smoke! Our Favourite Incense Fragrances
- Podcast
- On The Scent
- Published
- Dec 4, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 1867
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://on-the-scent.captivate.fm
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Summary
Incense is having a real moment and in this episode we're exploring why and also talking through some of our favourite incense scents. Why is incense so popular again? Incense has moved from temples and churches into living rooms, studios and perfume wardrobes; it’s become a chic, modern ritual as much as a smell. Trend reports link the boom to the hunger for spiritual and holistic practices – incense is an easy way to pause, “set an intention” and create a little ceremony around everyday life. Incense vs frankincense “Incense” is the whole blend you burn – it might be on a stick, cone, coil or rope – and can contain resins, woods, herbs, spices and florals. “Frankincense” (also called olibanum) is one particular resin, tapped from Boswellia sacra trees in Oman, Yemen and parts of the Horn of Africa. Etymology you can play with: “frankincense” comes from Old French “franc encens” – high quality or “pure” incense – while “incense” itself goes back to Latin for “to burn.” When a perfume lists “incense” as a note, it may mean a full accord of resins (frankincense, myrrh, opoponax, labdanum, elemi, woods, flowers) or a composition that highlights frankincense alone. What incense actually smells like Frankincense: resinous yet airy; earthy, piney, slightly smoky with a surprising citrus brightness. Myrrh: darker, spicier, slightly medicinal and very “churchy”, often associated with ritual and antiquity. Opoponax: honeyed, vanillic, balsamic and comforting – it softens the harsher edges of smoke. Labdanum: rich, ambery, leathery and almost animalic; gives incense perfumes that plush, warm body. Elemi: sharp, lemony, peppery resin that brings sparkle and lift to the smoke. Woods (sandalwood, cedar etc.): add dryness, creaminess or pencilshaving smoki…