Temple Of Incense – Orange Blossom & Lemongrass

I got this stick in mid-2024 from Sascha when we swapped samples.

In the Temple Of Incense shop, a box with 20 sticks now costs £10.00 (about €11.80). You’ll pay €12 both in Sascha’s shop Indiaroma and at Wrage; €0.60 per stick.

Temple Of Incense writes: “A Firdaus-style finish gives these sticks an exotic note that you’ll love.”
Since I couldn’t make anything of the term ‘Firdaus’ (and didn’t have much success when googling), I asked TOI what they meant by it. Simi explained to me: “It’s an old attar style. Something my grandmother would have worn. It’s quite culture-specific and a bit of a ‘if you know, you know’ vibe!” Then she gave me the tip to search for ‘Jannat ul Firdaus’ (perfumes of this name are available from several manufacturers).

Orange Blossom & Lemongrass seem to burn quite slowly. I’ve easily managed to get 4 burning sessions out of it.

The smell of Orange Blossom & Lemongrass triggers a slight déjà vu in me that I couldn’t get to the bottom of. Is it other incense sticks, or perhaps a perfume?

The fragrance is fresh, tangy, but also slightly tart. It has a distinct floral component, though I can’t readily identify orange blossom or neroli in it.
I like the smell best when I let the stick burn in the hallway. There, its citrus note seems less sharp and the scent is softer. It’s a powdery softness that feels light and airy.
Occasionally, a musky note wafts around my nose from the background, contributing to the softness.

When the smell becomes too concentrated, I find it slightly soapy, but not to the point of being unpleasant. However, if Orange Blossom & Lemongrass has plenty of room to unfold, the olfactory experience is certainly more pleasant and differentiated; the individual aspects of the composition become clearer apparent.

Orange Blossom & Lemongrass don’t match my taste, but they’re quite pleasant. It’s a floral scent for lemongrass lovers.

Orange Blossom & Lemongrass was reviewed both on ORS and Incense in The Wind.