Cycle Brand – Royal Secret
These two sticks were sent to me by my friend Silver from India in February 2024.
I couldn’t find a source for Royal Secret in Germany.
On the Cycle website, a pack of 20 sticks costs 200 INR, equivalent to approximately €2.30. The sticks measure about 23 cm or 9″ and burn for around 50 minutes.
During my research, I also came across a review from Om Incense Show (YouTube).
The text in the Cycle shop describes Royal Secret as a “a delightful blend of rich Sandalwood and Amber resin with a touch of Floral Rose and Champaka.”
Royal Secret has quite a typical scent for Cycle brand incense sticks. By this, I mean a specific musky-animalic note, which (at least according to rumours) could come from cow dung. Sometimes, a hint of funk can make a composition interesting and give it depth, and with some Cycle scents, this works quite well.
Furthermore, I detect an underlying spicy note, somewhat reminiscent of Magenbrot, as well as a peculiar freshness. I’ve noticed both in other scents from this brand. As far as I can recall, Yagna had a similar freshness.
From the very first moment, I was primarily reminded of Dasara, which is undoubtedly due to the rose note. In a direct comparison, Dasara is noticeably woodier than Royal Secret and drier, or less opulent. Royal Secret has a heavier, richer character, whereas Dasara feels lighter, powdery, and sweet in a different way. The sweetness in Dasara is sugary or almost artificial sweetener-like; Royal Secret, on the other hand, has a denser, balsamic sweetness.
Silver found the animalic scent in Royal Secret much more prominent than in Dasara, and based on the Dasara samples she sent me, I agree. The batch I first had was overly dominated by the cow dung scent, which I found irritating. Royal Secret, however, feels balanced to me.
I like Royal Secret. It’s an interesting, relatively complex scent that, while not suitable for every day, is something I enjoy from time to time. However, the animalic aspect might not be to everyone’s taste.
I’m curious as to what they are regarding is the difference between a thin Indian dhoop and a thin Japanese dhoop.
They are pushing the Japanese aspect quite heavily, and I’m wondering if that is just marketing, or if there is some aspect of the way they are making these dhoops which is different to if they were making them for the Indian market.
From the description of the scents (such as Sea breeze & Aqua), I suspect they are using fragrance oils combined with a combustible, a binder, and a fixative. If this was a Japanese incense the combustible would be sandalwood or agarwood powder. And the added fragrance element would be very subtle. I wonder if that is what Cycle are doing here.
I’m kinda curious about this, but I suspect it’s not really going to be my thing, as what I love about Indian incense is the heady passion and joy. I don’t get out of bed for subtle restraint.
Yeah, it would be really interesting to try and contrast them to incense sticks actually made in Japan.
The (minimal) description they offer sounds quite like it might be like “modern” Japanese incense, like some Nippon Kodo lines (who also happen to have an “Aqua” one).
That is very stylish marketing. If they put 10% of the creativity into the incense it should be pretty decent.
I’ve re-uploaded the video so it looks the right way up.
https://youtu.be/iP1obfJuHZU
Vid pointed out, that Cycle has it uploaded a second time the right way around, here‘s the link.
It just didn’t cross my mind to look for it because “Why would they leave the sideways one up if they noticed the mistake?” …
I quite enjoyed this, but I also found a note of jasmine or mogra attars in this, it’s nice but I prefer the 5 Cycle incense that I love (Parampara, Dasara, Oudh Natural, Yagna and Pushkarini). I guess this is their starting point of Cycle getting into premium and luxury incense market. After this, they have launched Darbari, 3 other Royal incenses (Royal Sandal, Royal Rose and Royal Jasmine), and a gift pack called ‘From Mysore to the World’ which contains 7 flora incenses.
Btw Cycle has Also launched a Japanese style incense called Thincense. It retails for 2000 rs and contains 4 scents on incenses. I find it interesting that an Indian incense manufacturer is making Japanese style incense. Well, even Ansaam (Egyptian) incense have Indian style floral incenses.
Yeah, I’m still not very good at identifying florals. You are way better with that.
Wow, indeed – Thincense, here it is!
And I found this commercial video which they managed to upload sideways. XD
Thanks for making me aware of that!
Oh, I would be SO curious to try that! lol
I wonder if the core-less incense trend in India has to do with that.
Thank you. I can identify it correctly, but sometimes.
Lol. I’ve also noticed that but they have also uploaded another one which is uploaded normally and which has 71 views. I’m also curious. Will order this incense.
Well technically you’re correct. These days, now many people are aware that bamboo is not considered auspicious in Hinduism, but still there are some sources which is not like that. It is a bit confusing situation.