Thiouraye Gowe Trampe (oudandmusk.fr)
This and a number of other Thiouraye incenses were part of a generous selection of samples that my friend Povilas sent me; they were bought at Oud & Musk [FR].
Thiouraye isn’t strictly speaking a bakhoor but is strongly related in concept, which is why I’m putting them in the same category. Thiourayes are, in a way, the West African, particularly Senegalese variant of bakhoor.
Thiouraye Gowe Trampe is no longer available on oudandmusk.fr, but there are still thiourayes that are also made with gowe (Cyperus rotundus). These aromatic rhizomes are soaked in essential oils or fragrance oils.
Thiouraye Gowe Trampe cost €14; the pack contained 50g. (€0.28/g)
Apart from gowe (Cyperus rotundus), no ingredients are named. A description of the fragrance wasn’t provided.
As usual, I’m using this incense on a tealight incense heater.
The raw scent brings up memories of 4711 Eau de Cologne, a perfume my grandmother used. But I haven’t smelt the perfume for so long that I can’t judge how much the two smells actually resemble each other.
The fragrance is floral but without noteworthy sweetness. The dry and at the same time fresh character makes me think of lavender or lavandin and neroli. There might also be a hint of bergamot.
However, these heady notes last only a few minutes on the warmer. The more they fade, the stronger the character of the cyperus root comes through. It’s a slightly peppery spiciness with earthy and woody tones.
After a while, a tiny sour note appears, which I only smell when I hold my nose directly over the warmer. At about the same time, I start to perceive a subtle honey sweetness, which doesn’t last long, though.
In the room note, the described aspects combine into a fresh-spicy impression, from which the pepper note sometimes peeks out. Towards the end, an earthy and leathery tone takes the lead.
I’ve also tested Thiouraye Gowe Trampe once on charcoal: the aspects that come to light gradually on the warmer appear much more simultaneously here. The smell is good for a minute or two, then unpleasant scorched notes emerge and the smell comes off as scratchy, harsh and ashy.