Copala

Copal, resinous smoke, billowing through artisanal clay burners.. a means to keep patrons from being eaten alive in dense Mexican jungle. To the less discerning eye and nose, the process of warding off blood-thirsty disease-vectors is mundane and ordinary. The lay person is blissfully unaware of how something so ordinary is but an echo of something completely transcendental and sacred. When I bathed in copal smoke wandering the seaside jungle of Tulum at night years ago––illuminated by tea lights, as street lights are (or were) mostly nonexistent––I felt wholly at peace. Fortunately I do get to spend a few weeks traveling around my old stomping grounds as it were... much has changed but tradition will always thrive. So many memories, recent and from years past. Copala captures such emotions and experiences so others may explore and bask in.. it is perfect. Beyond mere jargon and fluff, I am fully enamored. Absolutely divine. Wears great on skin and clothes, perfectly unisex, all that is required is momentary stillness to fully appreciate this beautiful scent.

Subtle, addictive, and beautifully composed, this is incense at its most wearable. It opens with a soft spark of pink pepper before unfolding into the warm resinous heart of copal and dry woods. There’s a quiet sacredness to it, like the faint trail of incense drifting through a sunlit chapel, but with an intimate, almost skin-like sensuality that makes it feel unexpectedly sexy. My husband loves it on me - and I love it on him. The Mexican vanilla in the base adds a creamy smoothness without tipping into sweetness. Instead, it tempers the dry incense and wood with just enough softness to keep things cozy and intriguing. Sweet, woody, balsamic, and just a little spicy - it’s a beautifully balanced blend. This is a rare gem: an incense fragrance that thrives in warm weather. It wears close to the skin, never overwhelming, yet it lasts for hours. A quiet luxury, and easily my favorite from Xinu.

Wow...Copala by Xinu is superb perfumery. The golden Copal resin shimmers like the ambery honeyed resinous tree sap it is and is expertly blended with Mexican vanilla, pink pepper, and slightly smoky mesquite wood to ground it and make sure it doesn't wander too sweet. This perfume smells natural, although I did wonder if I was sensing some iso E super, but I love iso E super, so it's not a problem for me. I've really enjoyed wearing Copala today and want more! Full bottle worthy, IMO.

Dusty, split wood in the open scrub... reminds me of New Mexico (I've not yet visted Mexico but look forward to it.) Evocative, natural, simple, resinous, high quality and otherwise hard to describe-- I'm wearing this from the Xinu sampler and seem to be getting less vanilla than I did from the full bottle in the shop. All the fragrances in this line are wonderful-- even spiritual-- they feel removed from digital capitalism and I'd recommend trying each one before picking a signature.

It feels like there are notes in here that I've never smelled before. Copála is indeed, as Xinú describes, mystical. The opening is woody and spicy with a hint of the vanilla, and dries down into a very sweet, almost floral scent. I love the sustainable packaging as well - the spherical combination of glass and wood tickles something in my brain.