The Olfactory Rescue Service is the new home for the retail incense resource that used to be part of Mike’s Prattle and had outgrown it. Joining Mike McLatchey for ORS is Ross Urrere (who also christened the new site) and Nancy Hyton. The ORS exists to review and discuss the world of retail incense in order to help bridge the gap between East and West in terms of understanding incense and helping the reader find higher quality scents, sources for these scents and to connect with others passionate about fine scent. While ORS cooperates with all reputable incense companies (several of which send samples for review), it currently remains a third party resource and only claims bias in favor of excellent service, fair pricing and the constructive. The following are the writer bios:
Mike: I live in Sacramento, California and work as a legislative analyst. I collaboratively blog about a wide and eclectic variety of music at Outer Music Diary although considering retirement is an ongoing issue. My other interests, which I sometimes talk about at Mike’s Prattle vary. I have a great deal of interest in both science and initiatic paradigms. I’ve been working in esoteric science since the 90s and the experiences inform the basis of my outlook on everything, but I’m also skeptical, even zetetic (skeptical of skepticism), a position often considered antithetical to the spiritual. I disagree.
As a music journalist I used to write for several national and international “progressive music” magazines including Exposé, i/e, England’s Audion magazine, Italy’s Melodie e Dissonanze and others. I am a cofounder of the Gnosis Project.
I’ve loved incense since I was a very experimental teenager and the connection between incense and the mind became engrained in my being. For so long it was Indian incense, but my discovery and exploration into Japanese incense has basically been documented here.
Ross: I was born, hatched or spawned (depends on who’s talking J ) Nov 23, 1950. I have lived most of my life in and around Berkeley and Oakland CA. with some time in Georgia (Naval airbase) and onboard an aircraft carrier (CVA 62) in the Mediterranean for 6 months.
I discovered incense just before going into the Navy. As I remember it was a “Joss Stick” in a red box. Smelled great in my barracks room, but terrible in the hallway outside my door. Ever since then I have wondered at this phenomena. I am still looking for the answer. This is also when I found out that not everyone liked incense. And that there are so many kinds and styles. After the Navy I went into a Junior Collage. I also, at the same time, managed to get to work for the Bill Graham Presents organization for about 4 years (1972-1976) and see quite a lot of really good music, perhaps the perfect college job.
I spent about 10 years as a glassblower, before moving into metaphysics and spirituality.
My teacher was heavily into computers so I too found myself using them. Early Macintoshes, Amigas and the PCs of the time for publishing and audio/video editing.
Currently by day I work at UC Berkeley as a network and computer repair and troubleshooter person. At night I teach meditation, healing and some other classes at a school that has been around now for 25 years. In fact I just presented my first class on incense there. Great fun and something I plan on doing a lot more of.
I love incense and all things that smell good. I also like motorcycles and plan to be back on board one as soon as I get a new hip. I have read Science Fiction and Fantasy since the 3rd grade, although I have slowed it down a bit over the years.
Nancy: I live in Asheville, North Carolina where I practice Chinese Medicine. I came to this profession through my love of herbal medicine. I first became interested in the healing power of plants when I joined a co-op where my friend was the manager of the herb department. I worked in health food stores for many years, sort of an informal education, and became certified as an herbalist along the way. I furthered my studies through a degree in Chinese Medicine at a school here in Asheville and went on to open a practice in my neighborhood.
Though I appreciate many different kinds of incense, my current interest focuses especially on the Japanese offerings, specifically the traditional herbal varieties. Most ingredients used in these blends have been revered for their healing properties for millennial. Like medicine for the soul, I find that real plant-based incense has a profound effect on my spiritual and emotional well-being.
My introduction into the world of incense began in Junior High when I became infatuated with Gonesh’s Coconut incense, which I purchased at a head shop in the local suburban mall. I was reintroduced to incense years later at a new age store that was burning the ubiquitous Satya Sai Baba Nag Champa. This became my favorite for many years until I started working as a buyer in a health food store that carried Shoyeido. Shoyeido had just expanded into the US market around this time, opening their distribution center in Boulder, Colorado. Exploring Shoyeido’s offerings opened my mind and senses to the complex formulations of this established company, so different from the masala and dipped charcoal incenses I had known before. I have truly enjoyed witnessing the flowering of the US incense market and tip my hat to Shoyeido for opening the door for so many other Japanese companies.
Now I burn incense almost every day. I even take it with me when I travel and bring it along for hikes in the woods. I continue to be astonished by the incredible diversity and variety of what is available. Depending on the blend, incense can be peaceful or stimulating, warming or cooling. It can empty the mind or provoke deep philosophical reflection. It can command your attention with its complexity or simply delight. For me incense is so much more that just an enjoyable smell and
my life would certainly be incomplete without it. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to share my love of incense with a wider audience through Olfactory Rescue Service. I hope you enjoy my reviews!
If you’re interesting in contacting us or have questions, Mike’s e-mail address and profile information can be found at the top of this page (Mike can put you in touch with Ross or Nancy as well). If you’re interested in having either of us review incense, please use the Reviews Information page for guidelines. Please keep in mind we post from different computers and may not be able to reply to e-mail until the weekend.
Sam said,
September 21, 2009 at 10:11 pm
I’ve been reading this blog for a while and really enjoying it, commenting only once on your Lama Chodpa review. It’s wonderful to see people getting so deep into the art and science of incense.
Have you tried the Chagdud Gonpa incenses? As far as I know they’re available only from Tibetan Treasures, the retail outlet run by the Chagdud Gonpa Foundation. I really like both their P’hul-jung Men-pö and Riwo Sangchod incenses. They both fall within the traditional Tibetan spectrum, but with interesting variations on that theme. I’ll post a review if I can find the time.
After saving up the ash from incense offerings for a number of days, I finally tried filling the bottom of my little Nepali incense burner with ash instead of sand. I was amazed at the difference it makes in the burn. The sticks actually burn all the way to the bottom, instead of leaving a little stub as I was used to with sand. Do you have any idea why this is?
The ash does produce a salty mineral smell for the last minute or so, which may not be to everyone’s taste, but it’s actually not bad as a sort of palate cleanser.
Mike said,
September 22, 2009 at 11:06 am
Hi Sam, thanks for posting about Chagdud Gonpa, I’m unfamiliar with them.
As to ash, supposedly it’s less dense than sand allowing oxygen to permeate it more easily allowing incenses to burn below the surface. However, I think that changes depending on how packed the ash is, as I always notice when I clean out my burner and run it through a sifter to be able to heat the ash and clean it that there are still quite a few stubs left that didn’t burn and most of the time they’re those that have fallen deep into the more packed ash at the bottom of the bowl.
David Drain said,
July 8, 2009 at 12:12 am
Hi guys, just want to say that this site is really great. I’m not one to keep going back to anything (especially websites) unless it has something special and I’ve been reading this site alot over the last few weeks. I’d already been trying to research quality incense for a while previously but the findings were sporadic and sourcing a large variety of quality incenses with independent reviews just wasn’t working out at all. I’ve already ordered batches of frankincense from the minorien and tennendo lines and also some holy land 1 & 2 from the tibetan medical college. Also looking forward to continuing to sample various incenses over time using your reviews as a basis for my decisions. Your enthusiasm is contagious so keep up the good work. Dave from Ireland
Mike said,
July 8, 2009 at 7:39 am
Hi David, appreciate the kind words. Thanks! – Mike
Didier said,
May 25, 2009 at 1:48 am
Hello ! I am from France and my english is not good.
I would like to buy encenses for my clients and I love encenses from Mandala Art & Incense but I cannot find retailer.
Could you help me or advise me for those ones and other naturals ?
thank you !!
Mike said,
May 26, 2009 at 9:27 am
I believe Essence of the Ages (see link on left) could supply those for you Didier, if you’re willing to go oversees for them. I think Tibetan-Incense.com supplies those as well (I think from Israel?), although I’d check with them first to be sure.
Incense, 2009 « Read, Seen, Heard said,
May 13, 2009 at 10:48 am
[...] researching incense, I stumbled upon the Olfactory Rescue Service (ORS), a blog devoted entirely to the subject. In the site’s own words, “The ORS exists to [...]
kihm said,
May 11, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I love what you do, and really appreciate all the information. I’ve been posting pieces on incense and the arts at http://kihm2.wordpress.com/ and hit my 50thh post today, so it seems to be more than a whim. I invite you over. Thanks again.
Mike said,
May 11, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Hi Kihm thanks for coming over, I’ve added your blog to the list on the left. I really like all the historical information on incense, the pictures of antique censers and the links to RPGs like Warhammer as well as the really fascinating Spiritual Sky article. Well worth checking out.
Lee said,
March 21, 2009 at 11:22 am
Wow, what a tremendous wealth of information and insight. I have slowly been getting into incense over the last year or two, finding myself moving toward the scents of Tibetan Incense, strictly by “nasal taste” as well as “mental affect”. I have had a Japanese Influenced Zen Buddhist practice for last 15 years on and off, and have gotten deeper into my practice as of late. So I had been influenced by the Japanese scents and become accustomed to and fond of them. A while back I decided to try Tibetan Incense from the Dharma Crafts Catalogue. I liked the Blue Sky, (but none of the other Tibetan I tried from them) more than some of the Japanese. Well good fortune for me, they were out of Blue Sky this month. So my first foray into searching for Incense on the internet and I arrived at your site. Between this site and your excellent recommendations and the “Essence Of The Ages” site, I have just finished my first week of burning Holy Land & Holy Land 2, as well as Medicine King – Special Medicine….all I can say is WOW, fantastic, sublime. I look forward to burning, reading and learning more. It’s like “Pandora’s Box of Incense” has been opened…Thanks again!
Mike said,
March 23, 2009 at 7:48 am
Hi Lee, thanks for dropping by and appreciate the comments and sharing your incense journey. The three you mention are among my favorite incenses, truly I still have a hard time keeping my hands off of any of them. That’s the nice thing about Tibetan incenses, the most deluxe of them all don’t cost you high end aloeswood prices, which means I can go back to the boxes fairly often.
Mike said,
January 23, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Thanks for the kind comments Susan!
Susan Law said,
January 23, 2009 at 12:14 pm
This is a great site and a great service. I use incense a lot, strictly as an offering during meditation. My own practice is Tibetan, but Tibetan incense in a comparatively small space seems to leave the whole place smelling like I’m heating with a wood fire. So I use Japanese incense – mostly Baieido. Your reviews are very very helpful and a pleasure to read. Thanks.
Susan
Mike said,
January 22, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Hi Francis, you’re on. If you don’t want your address permanently posted here, you can e-mail me through the About page with it and I’ll delete it for ya here. – Mike
francis Schenstead said,
January 22, 2009 at 4:00 pm
THought I should give you my persoanl address so i could get involved in this round robin of incense
3225-50th avenue
lloydminster, Sk
S9V 0N8 Canada
clairsight said,
November 16, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Its a great book about how scent works. Even though it can get pretty science oriented his witting style keeps it very fun.
Its also a great look at the research end of how perfumes are designed and what goes into making the basic scent components. You can pick it up online for very little.
Ross
Steve Schaffer said,
November 16, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Sorry, but I’ve not. Have you?
clairsight said,
November 14, 2008 at 12:27 am
Nice find Steve. Have you read his book on scent and smell?
Ross
Steve Schaffer said,
November 13, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I think you and others will find this talk about the science of scent fascinating:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/luca_turin_on_the_science_of_scent.html
clairsight said,
October 7, 2008 at 8:56 am
Hey Kerry
I just finished your book and have also ordered some resins from you. Great stuff all around.
Thanks for coming by the site.
I am in Berkeley, right now recovering from a hip replacment(went real well)
ross
Mike said,
October 7, 2008 at 8:08 am
Hi Kerry, I’m actually in Sacramento, wishing I could afford the various SF Jazz Festival shows going on right now, but hopefully when the economy eases up I’ll be making a trip out that way. Would be nice to meet you.
Kerry Hughes said,
October 6, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Hi Mike and Ross,
I remember commenting on one of your posts from Mikes Prattle.. I am an author of an incense book called The Incense Bible. I am also located in the Bay Area and would love to meet you in person one of these days as it seems we share a similar interest in incense!
Kerry
Mike said,
July 22, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Thanks so much Noah, appreciate the write up! Great to see a Dead fan over here too, they’re one of my favorites (particularly through 77), will add you to my RSS. – Mike
Noah said,
July 22, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Guys, this is wonderful. Music and incense are two of my deepest passions, and it is such a pleasure to run across a forum all about high quality incense. I’ve only read a fraction of the site thus far but already see names I know, and even better, tons that I don’t.
I also have added you to the http://www.stumbleupon.com directory with this review/description. I hope you find it a fair representation:
“A wonderfully in depth blog about fine incense. Written with passion, this site reviews and categorizes many of the great incenses out there. A niche market to say the least. But I, as a huge incense lover, find a lot to enjoy on these pages. “
Steve said,
June 11, 2008 at 3:28 am
Ryan – sent you an email yesterday to get your mailing address. Please let me know if you did not receive.
Steve
Mike said,
June 10, 2008 at 8:00 am
Thanks Ryan. Passed your info on to Steve.
Ryan Bozis said,
June 10, 2008 at 12:26 am
Hello Mike,
. Either way, thanks for all your recommendations over the months, and you really do have a penchant for weaving a tapestry of olfactory description, with your words.
I cannot pass-up an offer of free incense. Especially since I’ve now expanded my incense cache, into two drawers of “japanese” and “other”. I was running out of room there for a minute. If there are any left, it would be great to help steve out
Mike said,
June 9, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Thanks. I’ll pass on on your info to Steve when I get to my e-mail this evening.
G.W. Dudley said,
June 9, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I’d be happy to accept a package of different incenses, if still available. I have loved incense since the late 60’s and still purchase quite a bit. I’ve enjoyed your well written reviews, and thanks for introducing me to “Essence of the Ages”, a very nice internet store.
Steve said,
June 7, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Message sent to you, Leigh!
Steve
Mike said,
June 7, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Thanks for writing Leigh, Steve should be in contact with you soon. You were not too late.
– Mike
Leigh said,
June 7, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I am so excited about your indian incense offer. Are they all gone yet? I just moved into a new apartment and am a huge incense fan. I love keeping the house smelling “exotic”. So I wanted to let you know that I’m interested in the offer you put forth! Let me know!
Thanks for input on incense also! It’s very much appreciated!
Leigh
Mike said,
September 1, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Hi Monica, thanks for the kind words. It’s interesting you mention Robert Parker as well, as for a year or two I was a viticulture and enology major at UC Davis, which probably does figure into the reviewing some. Hope the reviews are helping you find some new favorites.
– mike
Monica said,
September 1, 2007 at 4:36 pm
I am so excited I found your website. I love fine incense and enjoy reading your reviews. It really helps me to decide which ones to buy. You are like the Robert Parker for incense.
Thanks!