What makes a great candle?!!

What Makes a Great Candle? Why Some Smell Better Cold Than Lit

Have you ever picked up a candle, taken a deep breath, and thought, “Wow, this smells incredible!”—only to get home, light it, and realize the scent has mysteriously vanished? You’re not imagining it. This has everything to do with something called cold throw and hot throw.

Let’s break it down!

What Is Cold Throw?

Cold throw is the scent a candle gives off when it’s not burning. It’s the first impression—the fragrance you smell when you open the lid, walk past it on a shelf, or give it a good sniff before buying.

Cold throw is important because:

• It helps you decide if you like a scent before lighting it.

• It gives off fragrance passively in small spaces like bathrooms or bedside tables.

• It’s influenced by the wax type, fragrance load (how much fragrance is used), and curing time.

A great cold throw means your candle smells amazing even when it’s just sitting there. But here’s the kicker: a strong cold throw doesn’t always guarantee a strong scent when lit.

What Is Hot Throw?

Hot throw is the scent a candle releases while it’s burning. This is the true test of how well a candle performs. It’s what fills your room with a cozy, inviting aroma—or doesn’t.

Hot throw depends on:

• Wax blend: Different waxes release scent differently. For example, soy tends to offer a slower scent release, while coconut or paraffin blends often provide a stronger hot throw.

• Wick type and size: The wick controls how hot the flame gets, which affects how well the fragrance is dispersed.

• Fragrance oil quality and usage level: Some scents are naturally stronger, and some oils perform better when heated.

• Burn time and candle size: Larger candles with wider melt pools often produce a stronger scent when lit.

Why the Difference Between Cold Throw and Hot Throw Matters

You might fall in love with a scent straight out of the jar, but if it doesn’t carry through when lit, it’s disappointing. On the flip side, some candles have a subtle cold throw but bloom beautifully once the wax is melted.

When shopping for candles, it’s worth checking how well the candle performs both cold and hot. A truly great candle balances both.

Tips to Get the Best Scent Performance

1. Most soy candles require at least 2 weeks for the scent to bind and fully develop. All Noiré & Blanc candles have been cured as a minimum for this time before they are sold.

2. Trim the wick before every burn to approx 0.5mm. This helps the candle burn evenly and throw scent better.

3. Burn it long enough. Let the wax melt to the edges to form a full melt pool—that’s when scent is at its peak. We recommend 3-4 hour burns, especially on the first burn. This helps to prevent tunnelling.

4. Choose the right size for your space. A small candle won’t fill a large room.

5. Find a provider who you can trust to have done all the necessary testing and complies to the legal requirements and has correct labelling on products.

6. Although some candles such as dessert candles and latte candles look incredibly pretty, they are actually illegal in the UK sadly due to The Food Imitations (Safety) Regulations 1989. If someone is producing these type of candles to sell in the UK, then I would question what else they are not complying with.

Final Thoughts

A great candle is more than just a pretty jar. It’s a careful balance of wax, wick, fragrance, and craftsmanship. Next time you’re browsing candles, remember: cold throw draws you in, but hot throw is what creates the real magic once it’s lit.

At Noiré & Blanc, we design our candles with both cold and hot throw in mind—because scent should never be a letdown.

All our products have been thoroughly tested so you get the very best from your purchase ❤️