Bhagwan – Orange Blossom [2025]
I got this sample in this year’s January (2025) from Eugene Andrushchenko, the owner of Bhagwan Incense.
A pack with 15g is available for 4,95€ and should contain about eight of the 8″ long sticks; that makes about 0,62€ per stick.
➺ There has been sold a variety named Orange Blossom under the Bhagwan brand before, but it came from a different manufacturer.
Orange Blossom has a distinct orange fruitiness for me, mixed with a splash of orange peel. In the right dilution, it makes me think of orange lemonade.
I find a certain florality in it, but don’t find that particularly strong nor characteristic for neroli or orange blossom. Earlier this year, I thought I recognise neroli in the smell, but I’m not so certain anymore now.
Unfortunately, the fragrance has a relatively pronounced, soapy note. It’s not a tart soapiness, but reminds a bit of shower gel or shampoo.
The vanilla mentioned in the description comes out the most in the after-smell. It is, as far as I can remember, a very similar vanilla aroma as I found in Vanilla Joy. Those had a smell like cosmetic products, which isn’t far from the shampoo character of Orange Blossom; perhaps they come from the same manufacturer.
When I tried Orange Blossom for the first time, it was spring and still relatively cold. I thought that it might be due to the cool air that the fragrance of Orange Blossom doesn’t quite bloom. However, my impression has remained the same even in warm weather. They’re not bad, but the fragrance isn’t really ‘premium’ in my opinion.
How does it compare to the Orange Balsam from Shroff?
I ask because you mentioned orange lemonade…and I remember Orange Balsam having similar notes – i described it as Orange candy with notes of vanilla
Thinking of it now, I should have added a comparison, but I’m not even sure if I have some of the old ones actually left to compare…
Based on memory:
The (likely) HMS-made, old Orange Blossom didn’t have any sort of soapy-shampoo-y or cosmetic products type of smell.
They actually had some recognizable neroli note to them besides the fruity orange scent, and the character of the vanilla smell is different.
Which the new one, it’s more a vanilla flavouring type of scent and the old ones have that HMS-typical, warm vanilla sweetness.
No, im talking about Shroff’s orange Balsam that I would have sent to you. I did send it right?
🤦♀️ OMG I feel dumb lol – I read your comments the first time shortly after waking up, and my brain must have been still half asleep by then.
I didn’t properly read your first comment again, but just went with what my brain made from it. Sorry!
The Orange Balsam! I didn’t think of comparing them because I love the Orange Balsam, but this one is rather meh.
Orange Blossom also don’t have a soapy or cosmetics vibe. They are fairly floral but also fruity. And there is this soft, powdery and balsamic sweetness tying the whole composition together.
Thanks to your comment, I realized that I missed putting the Orange Balsam review in the Shroff category.
It will be easier to find now.