Les Encens du Monde (Aromandise) – Feng Shui – Jasmine (Water)

This pack came from a batch of mostly Japanese incense sticks that I purchased on Kleinanzeigen in October 2024.
The outer packaging was missing, but the previous owner told me that this is the Jasmine variety from Aromandise’s Feng Shui line. This variety is available at Anandam for €4.90 per 10g pack (20 sticks) or directly from Aromandise’s webshop (shipping only within France, Belgium, and Luxembourg), where you can also find plenty of product information.

The sticks have an unusually thin bamboo core (only about 1mm), significantly thinner than what one typically finds in Indian agarbathis. They bear a striking resemblance to the sticks from Nippon Kodo’s Herb&Earth line, which are produced in China and Vietnam. And indeed, Aromandise states that their Feng Shui line “is made in southern China using a mixed Chinese-Japanese technique.”
The sticks measure approximately 25.5cm (10″), with 8–9cm of bare bamboo. In terms of the length of the actual incense material, they are closer to standard 8″ (approximately 20.5cm) incense sticks. Due to their thinness, they burn relatively quickly; one stick lasts for about 30 minutes.

Aromandise describes Jasmine as “a perfect balance of floral aldehyde, bittersweet sambac jasmine, and sweet and sensual star jasmine.” They contain 2–3% synthetic ingredients.

Scent-wise, Jasmine bears a strong resemblance to the variety called Liebe [Love] out of BERK’s Feng Shui line. However, Liebe is not a pure jasmine fragrance, even though jasmine is the dominant note.
I find Aromandise’s Jasmine to be clearer and slightly more potent than Liebe.

A woody base note lends the fragrance a certain dryness, but the jasmine bouquet is distinct and clearly at the front.
I can’t claim to be able to separate the scent into the specific jasmine varieties mentioned; to me, it’s simply a fresh and very classic jasmine aroma, an intense and heady scent of countless white blossoms.
Like Liebe, I perceive this fragrance’s freshness as green; a chlorophyll-like, almost tangy freshness that makes the scent feel bright and invigorating.

Despite knowing that these sticks contain a small amount of synthetic fragrance, the scent comes across as fairly natural and pleasant to me.
I don’t often crave jasmine, but if I ever feel like it, these sticks rank high on my list.