The flickering light cast dancing shadows across the workbench. The scent, though… it was a problem. Too cloying, most of these new “artisanal” candles. Overly sweet. Like a sugar bomb detonating in a perfumery. I’d been hoping for something different, something with substance. And the reviews for this Voluspa Baltic Amber, with its talk of “clean burn” and “coconut wax,” piqued my curiosity. Let’s see if it delivered on the hype.

First impressions? The jar is substantial. A weighty presence, a welcome change from those flimsy tin can candles that seem to be everywhere. The embossed design is handsome, although, and here’s a nitpick, the gold lettering could be a touch more refined. It’s a minor quibble, truly. This is not a design flaw that will prevent me from actually using it.

My initial sniff test, unlit, was promising. A complex fragrance. Not just amber, but a subtle interplay of resins and woods, hinting at a proper olfactory journey. This initial test is the first thing I usually do, and the best indicator of the candle’s potential. The advertised 100-hour burn time is ambitious, naturally. But with a coconut wax blend, there’s a good chance of achieving it, provided you manage the wick correctly.

Lit, the Baltic Amber truly started to breathe. The scent expanded, warming and enveloping. The throw, the amount of space the aroma filled, was impressive without being overpowering. Quite frankly, it’s better than the old-school soy candles my wife used to buy, which were always a disappointment. The coconut wax indeed produced a remarkably clean burn. Minimal soot. No black smoke that leaves that tell-tale ring around the jar’s rim. That’s important. We’re talking about an investment.

Here’s the thing, though: maintaining the perfect burn requires a little effort. The wick needs to be trimmed to about a quarter-inch each time. Without regular trimming, tunneling can occur – where the wax only melts down the center, leaving a ring of unmelted wax around the edges. A little extra attention is the price you pay for a longer burn time and cleaner air. This is, after all, a luxury good.

So, is it worth it? For the discerning fragrance enthusiast, absolutely. This isn’t a cheap imitation of something fancy. This is the real deal. It is a luxurious candle, with a rich scent profile. If you value a sophisticated aroma and a relatively clean burn, and you appreciate a good vessel, then go ahead and buy this candle. You’ll probably be very pleased.