LAFCO Winter Balsam is a large, deep green candle with a woody, complex scent, and it has become a favorite this season. Here is a closer look at what is in it, how it is built and who should try it.
This is one exquisite, gorgeous candle. It is large, a full 15.5 oz in a beautiful thick, heavy, and slightly iridescent spruce colored glass, it’s an absolute stunner! Of course, with all LAFCO candles, it’s beautifully packaged, so it makes the ideal gift, and now that the gift-giving season is upon us, it’s time to stock up.
It’s the fragrance though, oh this warm, woody, sophisticated fragrance, that has me gobsmacked, it’s utterly divine. Described as “Nostalgic and Woody” (I won’t disagree, and I’ve never been one to back down from a good fragrance debate!) “A vibrant green earthy fragrance that captures the exhilarating aromatic energy of a winter forest.” The opening is an inspired mix of mint-infused eucalyptus, balsam fir needle, and spicy oud wood.
Sandalwood, patchouli, and vetiver give the creamy texture to the heart, while incense, cedarwood and burnished amber create a warm and inviting dry down.” This is what I love so much about this candle, it’s so complex, it could almost be a high-end niche perfume.
Creamy sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver, oud and amber and you have the base for some of the chicest scents on the market. Then throw on the fir needle, eucalyptus and incense and you have the perfect winter candle (although let’s be honest, this could be burned any time of year!) I love it, it’s going to be my go-to this season!
That being said, I know some of you have been long-time fans of LAFCO’s famous Tree candle, and that has been your go-to holiday candle. OK, I know change can be hard, but it can also be really exciting, breathe new life into old ways, and it’s a great way to mix things up a bit.
Reality check, I know we are just talking about candles here, not life changing decisions, but some of us do get a bit attached to our favorite candles, me included, so if you are looking for your new holiday favorite, give LAFCO Winter Balsam a go, you won’t regret it!
Lynette Reed, Fragrance fanatic, founder of Illume Candles, Izzy Sayan Perfume, Fluid Fragrances, and creative consultant to many high-end fragrance brands.
How LAFCO Winter Balsam is built
The brand’s description moves through three stages. The opening is mint-infused eucalyptus, balsam fir needle and spicy oud wood. The heart has sandalwood, patchouli and vetiver, which the description says give a creamy texture. The dry down brings incense, cedarwood and burnished amber.
Seen that way, the candle is a lot closer to a perfume than to a simple pine candle, which is exactly what the reviewer says. The balsam fir gives the familiar winter note, while the woods and incense give it depth.
For anyone who prefers a short summary, lafco winter balsam is a green, woody candle built on fir, eucalyptus and oud, with a warm amber finish. That is a long way from the sweet vanilla candles that fill many shelves in winter.
The LAFCO Winter line is built around the idea of a cold forest, and the notes match that picture.
Size, glass and gifting
This is the 15.5 oz signature size in a thick, heavy, slightly iridescent spruce-colored glass. A big candle like this takes a long time to burn through, so it is worth giving it long enough burns to melt the wax all the way to the edge each time.
It is also well packaged, so it works as a gift. If you are shopping in the run-up to the holidays, the reviewer’s advice is to stock up. For other holiday gift ideas from the same house, see Golden Chestnut: A Gourmand Masterpiece by LAFCO.
The reviewer’s note that it could burn any time of year is worth repeating. A woody candle does not need snow outside to work, and it can be a calming choice on any cool evening.
The LAFCO Winter Balsam glass is part of the appeal, so it is worth keeping on a shelf where you can see it.
Changing your holiday candle tradition
Some readers have a long-standing favorite, in this case LAFCO’s famous Tree candle. The reviewer admits that change can be hard, but suggests that switching things up can feel good, and that you can always keep a bit of the old favorite around.
If you are making that kind of switch, try lafco winter balsam in one room first and keep the old candle in another, then compare. For more fir and pine options, Tree Scented Candles for the Holidays is a good place to browse.
The same advice holds for any new candle: give it a few burns before you judge it. A first burn often smells different from a fourth, once the melt pool has reached the edge and the wick has settled into a steady flame.
To sum up, LAFCO Winter Balsam is a woody, complex candle that suits winter and, as the reviewer says, other times of year as well. If you already like the brand, a LAFCO Winter candle like this is a strong addition, and if you are new to it, this is a good signature candle to try first.
Header photo: Hugh Venables , Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).
