Once we had our contenders in hand, we noted any imperfections in the wax, wick, or vessel—such as a sloppy pour, an off-center wick, or a chipped container—and how carefully each candle was packaged. We smelled each unlit candle (taking breaks between each one) and described the scent as well as its potency. After lighting each candle, we logged any additional notes on the aroma, the flame height, how much smoke it produced, and how well the fragrance permeated. In 2023, we also conducted testing with a 14-person panel at our office, doing blind scent tests on the candles lit and unlit.
