“We felt that you need not wait for a specific time of year to enjoy the scents you find so thrilling.” Although with the spooky season just around the bend, now’s a very good time to check out Dark Candles.

This company set out to create high-quality candles as an alternative to those awful, machine-made, store-bought brands that only color the outside of the candles and are rather pathetic on scent. Well, it’s about time someone started making Halloween candles for grownups! Dark Candles is one of those shops where the slight imperfections in the finish are proudly stated – not only are the candles hand-poured in small batches, with special blends of wax and pure fragrances, but the merchants are also keeping up with the latest in candlecraft, using only lead-free wicks and ultra-violet light inhibitor to keep the colors from fading, and they freely share their knowledge with a page of tips to ensure maximum burn time. (So when you first light a pillar candle, you’re supposed to let it burn 2-3 hours before putting it out. Who knew?) The goods are available in the usual candle standards: pillars, votives, tea lights, and, of course, the classic taper.

Scent-wise, they offer themes in addition to their “regular” scents (and when “Absinthe” and “Winter Solstice” are considered “regular,” you know you’re shopping in the right place), one of which is a “graveyard” series that is excellent for those of you who prefer woodsy, earthy fragrances(we love these), and there’s also a Halloween bunch where you can choose from sweets and spices.

So how do they burn? Nice and clean. The scent is pure but subtle, potent without being overbearing, and a nice little touch of luxury to set the mood – perfect for placing on your nighttable when your sweetie spends the night. Our favorites: Crypt Moss is sweetly green, Graveyard is clean with frankincense and myrrh, Erotica is a lusty and delicious cherry and patchouli blend, Coffin brings lavender to a good woodsy base, and Haunted House is just a great witching-hour scent. Also good are Nosferatu with its dark sweetness, the muted anise of Absinthe, the light “embalming” mints of Corpse, classic Black Rose, and the spice-and-wine musk of Dracula. From the ten scents we were given to sample, not a bummer in the bunch.

Pricing is very good for the quality – a dozen tealights go for seven dollars, six votives for eight dollars, 6 tapers for eight dollars, and if you really, really like a certain cent, you can indulge in a nice fat pillar for thirteen bucks. Sample packs run eight dollars for four votives, or if you want to try every candle in the store, all 32 go for thirty-eight dollars(or, about a buck-eighty-eight a votive). They also run specials(and really, doesn’t this place just scream for a “frequent candleburning card?”) and carry plenty of lanterns and holders to burn them in. Recommended for romantics, witches, and gothic interior decorators.