My SOTD for almost 3 weeks now... straight agarwood incense. I have barely used any oils during this time (or even heated straight agarwood).
I think its time someone came out and said it: as much as many of us love[d] Japanese incense from some of the leading brands, their quality is absolutely terrible now. Its been going downhill for the past 5 years steadily, but now its absolutely abominable. Sticks carry the same product name, but instead of beautiful compositions, most of spew clouds of Black Agar (the aroma chemical).
About 6 months ago, I got fed up and started making my own cones and sticks and have been playing with different percentages of agarwood-makko-charcoal. Messy business (and the stick extruder, even my mechanical pump one, is a tough job), but its a delight when you get to burn a successful batch!
Just recently, I got to try a bunch of Kyarazen's sticks (thanks @Oud_Learner!), and they are marvelous (my favorite: his Mysore and Ceylon sticks). I was in fact talking to Oud_Learner about some of the stuff I discovered, namely the placement of sticks relative to the individual and the optimum angles for burning the sticks. Turns out, Kyarazen has an
article on that already too!
Although I haven't tried upside-down burning for really high end sticks, what I did discover was that I favor flat burning in a
coffin-style box (lined with ash) to burning them upright. The combination of a wider circumference of
non-combustive heat exposed to the oleoresin (because of lying flat) + staggered burn rate from the underlying ash layer = simply the best and easiest replacement for a low-heat wood chip heating session, which requires more time and attention.
After a Hainan Special K burn session today and then having had about 5 lb of mango, rambutan and mangosteen, I can confidently say that the aroma in my space is my favorite: I love the smell of Special K woods, and I love the aroma of fully (and properly) ripened mango!
(and I'd distill the skin of local Mangga Susu if only it gave oil)