Balaji – Luxury – Vetiver

I bought this pack at the end of 2024 from Ephra World Shop for 2,75€. It contains 15 sticks (0,18€ per piece), which are in an aroma-sealed bag. Including the bag, the sticks weighed 31g. They’re 9″ (about 23cm) long and burn for over 50 minutes.

This Luxury line is relatively new and, so far, seems to comprise only one other fragrance besides Vetiver: Oudh. In India, both are sold in slightly larger boxes with 25 sticks, these cost ₹320 (about 3,20€).
(Note: Vetiver is called ‘Khus‘ on the Balaji website.)

The raw smell of the sticks is earthy and at the same time fresh. It has a rooty sweetness. Furthermore, I perceive a hint of florality.
The smell of the freshly opened bag was really intense. Now, after a few months, I find it more pleasant and rounded than at the beginning. This applies both to the raw smell and the fragrance when burning.

When lit, Vetiver surprises with an intense, honey-like sweetness and something in the base reminds me of Chandan incense sticks. Added to this is the special, slightly pungent feeling freshness that is also clearly noticeable on the unlit sticks.
The earthy aspect of the fragrance keeps itself in the background for the most part and is much lesser pronounced than the raw smell would have suggested.
The floral note, on the other hand, is a bit clearer on the burn and entwines with the honey sweetness; I’d describe it as rosy.

Overall the smell is balsamic, heavy and very rich. The sweetness is tone-setting, but the composition still feels harmonious. However, I’d have wished for ‘Vetiver’ called incense sticks to be more focussed on the vetiver character.
With the sticks from the freshly opened pack, the vetiver character had been more pronounced, but at that time I also found a strange note that was a little unpleasant for me. This has disappeared by now.

My search for the perfect vetiver incense sticks continues; however, the chances are good that I’ll buy Vetiver again, as they’re very delicious incense sticks.
I could imagine, though, that some people might find the type of sweetness cloying.