I bloody love scented candles. They have a bit of an unfair rep as a cop-out gift, but not in my present pile. I’ve invested in a Muji fragrance diffuser, which is VMR (Very Much Recommended), but for creating atmos, there’s nothing like a flickering flame, throwing out fragrance willy-nilly.
So I was squealy-chuffed when my friend Verity sent me a whacking great Cuban Toboacco and Oak candle from her home-made and beautifully-packaged range – Seven Scents.
Pre-lighting, the scent is surprisingly clean, almost soapy. Set it on fire and it comes to life. It has a beautiful, sweet woodiness, almost musky. There’s some whisky-spiciness too. After half an hour or so the scent takes a little turn, becoming broader and slightly candied.
The throw is gentle, but pervasive. After an hour, it fills the room comfortably. And, as I’d hoped, it was still hanging around like a good smell the next morning.
Verity describes this with a cheeky portmanteau – ‘mandle’ (man candle), but this is not a smoky power-scent that divides the room. This is a cuddle in a candle.
It’s not for Summer. But get one now and save it for September; for that first chilly day when you get the fluffy socks out of the drawer; light it and let it mingle with that cosy dusty smell you get from a newly-switched-on radiator. VMR.
Seven Scents candles are made in Market Harborough, hand-poured and made with soy wax. My limited edition 220g Cuban Tobacco and Oak candle is available here.
Nose Dives 