If you’ve ever picked up a luxury candle and instantly fallen in love with its scent before even lighting it, you’ve experienced the magic of a cold throw. But what happens when the wick is lit, and the fragrance fills the room? That’s the hot throw at work.
At COHO ALTO, our hand-poured, vegan candles are crafted not only for their visual appeal and eco-conscious design, but for their exceptional fragrance performance. Whether you're relaxing with the earthy richness of Springtide or unwinding to the delicate floral notes of Sunset Hike, understanding how a candle's throw works helps you choose the perfect scent for your space.
🌿 What is Cold Throw?
Cold throw refers to the scent a candle emits when it’s unlit. This is what you experience when you first open the lid or walk past the candle on a shelf. It’s an important part of the sensory experience, especially for customers who want to enjoy fragrance from their candle even before it's burned.
Why it matters:
A strong cold throw is often seen as a sign of a high-quality candle - and that’s something we take seriously at COHO ALTO. Our carefully blended scent formulations ensure your candle smells amazing right out of the box.
🔥 What is Hot Throw?
Hot throw is the scent released as the candle burns, filling the room with fragrance. This is what creates an immersive atmosphere in your home - whether it’s a calming bedroom scent, a refreshing bathroom fragrance, or a signature scent for your living room.
A good hot throw means your candle continues to deliver on its promise, offering a well-balanced and lasting scent that doesn't fade or become overpowering.
💡 Why Do Some Candles Have a Better Throw Than Others?
The strength of both the cold and hot throw depends on several key factors:
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Fragrance Load: This refers to how much fragrance oil is used in the wax. At COHO ALTO, we use an optimal fragrance load for a bold, clean scent without compromising burn quality.
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Scent Type: Stronger base notes like sandalwood and cedarwood, tend to perform better in both cold and hot throws. That’s why candles like our Springtide candle offer an incredibly robust scent experience, even before lighting.
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Fragrance Composition: Heavier, more complex scents (like amber, patchouli, and woody tones) often carry better throw than light, fleeting top notes.
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Curing Time: All our candles are allowed to cure for a minimum of two weeks. This ensures the wax and fragrance bond fully, improving both cold and hot throw performance.
✨ COHO ALTO Scents with Impressive Cold & Hot Throw
Springtide – Earthy. Grounding. Luxurious.
With deep woody notes and an earthy finish, this scent offers a powerful cold throw and a warm, lingering hot throw—perfect for quiet moments and reflective evenings.
Sunset Hike – Soft. Floral. Sophisticated.
A captivating orchid-based fragrance, it creates a tranquil vibe with a strong hot throw that gently wraps around the room, making it a perfect relaxation candle for winding down.
🕯️ How to Maximise the Throw of Your Candle
To enjoy the full fragrance potential of your COHO ALTO candle:
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Trim the wick to 5mm before each burn.
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Allow a full melt pool to form on the first burn (usually 3-4 hours).
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Place in a space with some airflow (but away from direct drafts).
🔍 Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Candle with the Right Throw
Whether you’re scenting your space for guests, unwinding after a long day, or simply seeking the quiet luxury of fragrance, understanding cold throw vs. hot throw helps you make more intentional choices.
With premium ingredients, refined scent blends, and a focus on sustainability, COHO ALTO candles offer exceptional fragrance performance from the first sniff to the final flicker.