The air in my workshop, usually thick with the scent of freshly cut wood and linseed oil, sometimes craves a different kind of forest. Not the raw, untamed kind, but the curated, festive one. Which is why, this year, I decided to put Yankee Candle’s Balsam & Cedar to the test. I’ve smelled my share of “pine-scented” pretenders over the years. Most are cloying, chemical abominations.

My first impression upon unboxing? The label design is a touch…loud. But the scent? Promising. The aromatic cedar wood particularly piqued my interest; that’s where a good forest fragrance lives or dies. I’m a fan of the subtle, grounding notes of cedar that actually do smell like the lumber pile, not a cheap air freshener.

The burn is crucial, of course. I meticulously trimmed the wick (a detail many overlook, and one that affects burn consistency) and placed the large jar candle in my upstairs living room. For the next week, I made observations. One day, the fragrance seemed to dance across the open space. The next, barely perceptible. The temperature and even air currents within the room had a surprisingly pronounced effect. This isn’t the “set it and forget it” candle some might assume.

Compared to, say, Diptyque’s Fir candle (a known premium alternative), the Balsam & Cedar leans heavily towards the sweeter side. You get a more noticeable juniper berry kick. It’s certainly a different, more “holiday-esque” experience. And frankly, at this price point, a solid value.

Now, about that long burn time. Yankee Candle claims 110-150 hours. In my observation, and depending on wick care (again: critical!), the burn rate seemed closer to the lower end, perhaps closer to 100 hours, maybe 110. This isn’t necessarily a knock. This is just a large, glass-enclosed wax block. The more you burn it at once, the more liquid wax you have, and the faster it goes. If you have the luxury of time, and the inclination, consider lighting it in short intervals.

In conclusion: If you’re after a fragrance that evokes a cozy, well-appointed cabin, the Yankee Candle Balsam & Cedar is a solid choice. It won’t fool a botanist, but it delivers on the “forest” promise, and it’s accessible. Just embrace a little wick-trimming diligence. For the price, this is a win.