Candles 101: Cold Throw vs Hot Throw

Have you ever heard someone say, “That candle has a good cold throw.” Or maybe, “The hot throw on this candle is so much better than the cold throw!” Believe it or not, candles can smell differently depending on if they are burning or not.

Cold Throw

The cold throw is the smell you get when the candle is not lit. It’s what gets the consumer to buy the candle from the shelf. The cold throw typically showcases the top notes, or layers, of the fragrance, as those are the notes that release and evaporate first.

Hot Throw

Hot throw is where the magic happens! This is especially true in complex fragrances that have lots of different notes in it, as is the case with many of the Milkhouse fragrances.

• Top notes: Presented in the first part of your burn. These are often the lightest notes, typically the citrus and fruity parts of the fragrance.
• Middle notes: Revealed as the candle burns, often herbal or spiced fragrances like cinnamon. Middle notes are not always obvious, but they serve to enrich the top notes while laying the groundwork for the bottom notes.
• Bottom notes: Round out the fragrance as the candle continues to burn. These notes are deeper and richer, such as amber, musk, and vanilla.

This is why it is recommended to burn a candle for 3-4 hours at a time, as this allows all the top, middle, and bottom notes to start releasing and filling your room with the most wonderful smells that will transport you to that special place or evoke a sweet memory.