Shoyeido's Horin Incense Assortment - 20 sticks

The most profound experience - this incense really delivers on experience - rich and complex, evoking memories of mornings roaming a wet forest

Yes, these are smaller sticks. Yes, they are pricey compared to other brands. BUT SO WORTH IT. The scents are stunning. Deep, complex, rich, without the weird perfume of the cheap stuff. A little bit is enough to make my small home office smell divine, and a subtle aroma will linger for many hours. Shirakawa is a standout. This is a perfectly balanced woody spice blend that is so comforting. It’s strong without being overpowering and sweet without being cloying. It’s very natural, with so much depth that you don’t go nose-blind to it. Nijo is a lighter scent that Shirakawa, but has a similar “classic incense” feel. Familiar, but better. This is the good stuff. It’s subtle when lit, good for creating a mood for focus or quiet. More than the others, this has a lingering presence after it’s extinguished. There is a lovely ghost of Nijo long after the burn. Genroku is interesting. Herbal, light, but not wishy-washy. I found this to be the most gentle of the scents. Relaxing. Ten Pyo is complex and herbal. It is the most “perfumey” of them, in the way it hits the nose and the mood it evokes. Muromachi is an odd one. Unlit it smells very strongly of caramel. Lit, it’s gunpowder and wood. Not my favorite, but it might grow on me.

Just received the item, they are absolutely tiny! Not the standard size you would expect and for over £20, not worth the money unfortunately, I will be returning these sadly

These burn very clean, and the aroma is great. Not too strong, and doesn't irritate my nose. They don't burn too long but that's what it is a trial to test various of the Shoyeido line.

Compared to more traditional incense, these are hugely expensive, the fragrances don't smell premium and each stick burns down in about 10 minutes. To be completely honest some of these really reminded me of the smell when I go to collect a meal from my local Chinese takeaway. Not something I'll go for again.