Scented candles are expensive. I don't want to think about the $$$s I've spent on them. Here at Now Smell This, I often write about candles that are on the high-end of the candle spectrum (average price: $100). This summer I was introduced to a new line of candles that smell and look (hefty well-designed containers and packaging) more extravagant than their $36 price — Otherland. 

The Core Collection provided my first sniffs of Otherland candles and two scents stood out for me: Rattan and Kindling.

Rattan (sandalwood, amber and moss) presents sweet, summery sandalwood that lifted my mood every time I smelled it. Moss provides an almost-herbal tang to the milky sandalwood aroma. If you enjoy candles that scent, but don't dominate, a space, Rattan is a good choice. It adds a persistent, but "see-through," veil of perfume to rooms. It was especially appreciated this summer during the weeks I had to shut all windows and keep the house air conditioned due to Seattle's unhealthful smoky air. 

As smoke blanketed Seattle for weeks in July, August and early September, I was not in the mood to smell "kindling" inside my home, too. But now, in cool/clear weather, Kindling (the candle) is on rotation. Kindling includes fragrance notes of wood, clove and smoke. I've always been a fan of smoky candles — the scent, not bad wicks! I've owned Essence of John Galliano and Feu de Bois by Diptyque, Henri Bendel Firewood and the new Ash candle by Boy Smells. Kindling, too, smells of fireplace ash and burning woods, but it's not a stark fragrance, cold or dry; it has an "incense tea with cream" vibe. 

In Otherland's new Manor House Weekend Collection, I was drawn to two candles that smell great on their own, or when burned together: Cardamom Milk and Tapestry.

Cardamom Milk lists fragrance notes of frothy milk, cardamom and praline woods but when burning Cardamom Milk, I detect the aromas of buttercream frosting: milk, vanilla and coconut. Cardamom Milk is a cozy dessert fragrance.  (It reminds me of D.L. & Co.'s Modern Alchemy Cake Walk candle.)

Finally, there's Tapestry (burnt maple, oud and vetiver). If you want to add something "sultry" to Cardamom Milk, burn this candle at the same time. Tapestry presents a light oud perfume, one part dried tobacco to one part musk (and this musk is NOT white in character). As Tapestry burns, I also detect a "leather lite" scent that's more "man talc" than "baby powder." Tapestry seems to create "oud" by combining many ingredients; not by resorting to blatantly synthetic "oud" notes. 

Otherland candles are $36 for an 8 oz (soy/coconut wax blend) candle that burns for approximately 55 hrs; you can create a three-pack of candles for $89: a bargain. 

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