Another kind of thunk

It’s April. Now, if it would just get warm and dryer.

I’m taking a page out of Portia’s book and applying it to candles, as I’ve finished a number in the last couple of months.

I came late to the love of candles – probably starting around five years ago. I bought things before that but the ‘a ha’ moment was more recent.

Anyway, I now love scented candles and generally have a rotation of two or three going. I am very pleased to have actually finished a few though, as I have had more of a tendency to buy candles than perfume recently. I’ve generally bought less expensive ones or the smallest size from a more expensive brand.

As I noted, I’ve thunked four, which have ranged from love to meh. So, here goes.

The first one I thunked was Dayleford’s Vine Tomato. Daylesford is a fancy farm shop cum luxury brand. The shop is located in the Cotswolds which isn’t near me so I’ve never been. But a couple of years ago I got a bee in my bonnet about a tomato candle. I can’t now recall why. But, I found this one and bought the smallest version. It comes in one of those covered jars (see pic) which can be useful for storing things. I can’t find notes for this but I get tomato fruit and leaf, and a bit of loam. It quickly became the favourite kitchen-after-cooking candles because it was quite strong, the throw was very good, and it’s sharpness cancelled almost any strong cooking odour. I’m not buying anything at the moment, until after the tooth and taxes are paid for. But, once I’m back in the game this is on the list for replacement.

Second to thunk was a Diptyque Thé candle. I had the regular size in this (vs the small) and purchased it because I wanted a black tea fragranced candle and this got good reviews. This is black tea, cumin, coriander and pepper. I like the Diptyque brand and love the Feu de Bois and the LE Biscuit (two Xmases ago) candles. At various times I’ve owned the fig, jasmine, saffron and rose candles and they’ve all been very good. I consider the Thé a true candle fail. At no point, from first lighting to end-of has this smelled to me like black tea. To the extent that I wrote a complaining mail to Diptyque CS (they said I was wrong, that of course it smelled of black tea). For me, it was a light, fruity, soapy fragrance, with basically no tea. It wasn’t spicy either. Lighting this made me grumpy but I still did it on the basis of finishing it up, which I finally did (I think it took three years). So, I will once again be on the lookout for a ‘true’ black tea candle.

Third to go was a very petite l’Artisan Parfumeur Parfum de Feuilles candle. I bought this quite a while ago and then it somehow got lost in various moves. When I moved back into my house two years ago after having work done it resurfaced. This is now discontinued which is really too bad. It’s a very good green leaf/garden early morning smell with good throw for such a small size. If it still existed it would be on the buy it again list. L’Artisan appears to do good candles. The only other I’ve had was a Traversee du Bosphore in the same small size, which was a gift ages ago and smelled so good it was finished fairly quickly. This was the Turkish delight fragrance that Duchaufour did. Apparently, it’s still available as a candle but with a slightly different name.

Finally, the most recent to be finished was from a niche Edinburgh (Scotland)-based brand called Druid. I discovered Druid somehow – probably a magazine article – and bought a couple of things several years ago. They were very nice so my son gifted me with Cathedral basically because of the name. Notes include ginger, bergamot and cedarwood. This, sadly, was something of a fail. It just didn’t smell good to me – and smelled sort of generic candle store candle. I can’t put my finger on what didn’t work, but it didn’t. I have another Druid that is leather and cardamon which is very good.

As to next purchase once I’m back in the game beyond maybe the small Tomato Vine? I have a serious hankering for the Trudon Spiritus Sancti incense candle which I smelled during the London trip last month. But it’s one that only comes in a ‘regular’ size and Trudon (I think they rebranded from Cire Trudon) stuff beyond the smallest size is an investment as far as I’m concerned. I adore my small Abd el Kadr candle – I wish the Spiritus Sancti came in the same size.

So, that’s that – four candles thunked. I think the lesson I’ve learned from this is that it is best if I buy candles in store where I can smell them, especially if I have a hankering for a very specific fragrance (eg, black tea).

Pics: Pexels and mine

  • Tom says:

    I have some candles but am rather phobic about keeping them lit. Just me. I’ve had two neighbors (not in my building thank goodness) who set the place on fire because they decided to leave candles burning near blowing curtains and then go off and read War and Peace at the local Starbucks or drive to New Hebrides.

    Oddly enough I would do many unseemly and perhaps illegal to have a working wood-burning fireplace. So login is not my forte.

  • Chocolate Marzipan says:

    It just tickles me pink to see the phrase that I created based on my emptying of numerous bottles being used on another perfume blog 🙂

  • Portia says:

    LOVE candles Cinnamon. It’s getting a bit ridiculous around here. Like all the other fragrant things I love.
    Portia xx

    • cinnamon says:

      That’s sort of how I was feeling — that there was simply an awful lot and I should think about thunking some rather than making an endless list of what I want. There’s still a list — can’t really help that — but at least I’m winnowing things down a bit …

  • Musette says:

    that leather and cardamom candle sounds intriguing!!! I absolutely LOVE the Diptyque response – Lordt… really?
    I am currently burning one of C.Chong’s Amouage candles – Smile. Notes of raspberry and almond with some cookies (biscuits) and madeleines…and then hawthorn, which is a note I’m not that familiar with.
    I don’t smell any of that, individually, though it is a fun scent – so I guess it lives up to its name.

    Gorgeous jar. I’ll definitely be keeping that, once I thunk the candle.

    oxxxo

    • cinnamon says:

      I actually put all the holders in recycling. see if they make the cut. I have sufficient jars etc. I will need to look at the Amouage candles. That candle sounds mouth-watering. I was so disappointed when Diptyque didn’t do Biscuit again last Xmas.

  • Tara C says:

    I had a wild Trudon binge this past holiday season because I found two stores that still had stock of the 2021 christmas candle I loved, Bayonne. It smells like cocoa and spice. I also bought Spiritus Sancti, which is wonderful. Candles with citrus notes tend to irritate my nose so I have to be careful.

    • cinnamon says:

      It clearly took me way too long to get a Trudon candle. Now, I’m hooked though. Will def look at what they offer next Xmas.

  • ElizaC says:

    I did not need to know about the Traversee du Bosphore candle! I love that perfume! I love scented candles but I hate the ones that have that weird added chemical that makes the scent project directly into the middle of your sinuses. (Anyone know what that is?) I found my dream candle at a local, very elegant Middle Eastern restaurant in Seattle called Mamnoon. Our first introduction to Za’atar, amazing flatbreads and so much more. They also sell orange blossom and cardamom candles – the scent is perfect. I’ve got 5 at the last count and I really don’t even need to light them to enjoy the scent.

    • SpringPansy says:

      Thanks for that info, ElizaC. I am also in Seattle and love Mamnoon. I need to check out these candles!

      • ElizaC says:

        Mamnoon is wonderful isn’t it? I bought the candles a few years ago at their main restaurant – not sure if they sell them at the restaurants downtown.

    • cinnamon says:

      Sorry (it’s called Voyage a Constantinople: Turkish delight, saffron, leather and iris; I will definitely be trying to find this for a sniff. Alas, it’s only available in a larger size — £60 here). But that candle from the restaurant sounds dreamy — sent me straight to Googling orange flower and cardamon in candles.

  • Neva says:

    Thank you for the review. I’ll try to get my hands on the Vine Tomato candle.
    I usually buy scented candles when I can’t aford a new perfume but I want something beautifully smelling to comfort me. Mostly I have 2 or 3 candles at the same time and I chose by my mood of the moment. Right now there’s a Rituals “Ritual of Mehr” candle burning next to me. Cremy oranges and woody notes – yummy! It will be thunked tonight, I think.

    • cinnamon says:

      I have an orange and spice candle from Rick Stein in Cornwall that came in a Christmas hamper several years ago. Indeed, small sized candles when I can’t fork out for perfume.

  • alityke says:

    How will you use the candle jars? IG MUA’s all seem to keep their brushes & pencils in them.
    I’ve been working my way through the Boujee Bougies mini candle set. Gilt was a fab Church Incense, Queen Jam is a cosy red/black berry fruity with a pastry vibe. They are my favourites.
    Boujee have just launched two new candles & four EdPs at Esxence. Getting great reviews on IG too. They currently have a sale on the original candle releases including the minis at the minute.
    A mini Gilt might scratch the Trudon itch

    • Portia says:

      I love the Boujee Bougies too Alityke. When they first came out I bought two sets for Xmas gifts then later bought myself a mini set and have LOVED every one.
      Portia xx

    • cinnamon says:

      Jars … I am not keeping. I”ve got sufficient storage vessels. I would keep something if it were too lovely to ditch (I will probably keep the Trudon one). Immediately went and looked at Boujee Bougies. When I’m flush again I think a small Gilt might definitely have my name on it.

      • alityke says:

        It’s a beaut! I’m planning on a sample set of the EdPs when they’re available & suspect Gilded will become my incense fragrance