Frankincense. Sister Anne’s favorite incense.  With that I am betraying my Catholic childhood, but it is a point worth mentioning because it means I was exposed to a lot of frankincense as a child.  Despite the mental association of stern nuns with rulers, I still enjoy frankincense now and then and especially around Christmas when the story of the three wise men is told.  Wikipedia has all the facts you could ever need about this precious resin. The main thing you need to know is that frankincense has a woody, spicy haunting sort of smell that is slightly camphoric.

Fresh from the package this Gonesh offering has at least two of those attributes.  It is woody and spicy and reminds me tremendously of the pious Sister Anne and her ruler.  So I suppose you could say it has three of the attributes if you count being haunted by the memory of a nun. But, that is before ignition.  So lets get to it and see how well this stacks up against pure resins and far more expensive offerings.

Congratulations to Genieco for capturing a complex fragrance so well and at the same time tossing me backwards in time a few decades to Catechism classes!  Sister Anne would be pleased with this scent and I am too.  While it still has that sharp note that seems to be characteristic of Gonesh incense sticks, in this case it actually works to an advantage and adds just a bit more “pop” to the spicy notes.

I am suitably impressed in this instance and will use this incense again.  As a matter of fact I would rank this stick right up there with another clear winner from Gonesh.  Their absolutely wonderful Extra Rich Sandalwood.