KFC are giving away free gravy-scented candles, and chicken lovers are all over it

Smell is seriously underrated. In the right circumstances, a good sniff can take you back to your childhood, whisk you away to another country and even transport to the heart of a memory that you thought long forgotten. For all the unpleasantness that might fill your nostrils in a modern city, smelling is worth it for the few occasions that it feels like magic.

Like a lot of other food businesses, KFC clearly agree. As inherently suspicious as mystery chicken bits might be, no one can deny that the scent of 11 secret herbs and spices, married with flour and a deep fryer is easily one of the best bouquets on the high street. This perhaps explains why the fried chicken mega-franchise have decided to turn their signature smell into a product.

For a limited time only, KFC customers will be able to get their hands on their very own KFC gravy-scented candle – the classiest way to get the whole house smelling of fast food. No longer will condiment fanatics have to huff small pots of sauce to get the sweet meaty smell they crave. For a lucky few, it will simply be a matter of striking a match, lighting the wick, sitting back and breathing it in.

As if in anticipation of fan’s natural disbelief at this intoxicating turn of events, a spokesperson from KFC HQ issued a reassuring statement alongside the main announcement. With little sense of irony, they proudly revealed that,“You’re not dreaming. You really can now fill your home with the incredible aroma of KFC gravy with this limited edited candle,” before adding that, “it’s staggeringly nose stimulating.”

Using a recipe allegedly hand-crafted by the “Colonel’s trusted parfumier”, it’s clear that the company are taking their latest release extremely seriously. The aforementioned parfumier stated that it was “an honour it was to create a candle with such a highly-beloved scent.” As we said, there can be little doubt that KFC dedicate no small amount of time to how they smell.

The mysterious scent maestro continued to describe his creative process as part of the press release, adding, “Initially the different ingredients within the gravy were split into their constituent parts and fragrances matched to each. Then the scent was built component by component in the similar ratios as KFC’s iconic gravy. The artisanal approach to creating the candles was crucial to ensure the familiar and evocative aroma of gravy was perfectly captured.”

There is, of course, a downside to all this olfactory excitement. Unfortunately for anyone over excited about the new offer, only 230 of the gravy candles have actually been made. Not only is there a severely limited number, but these candles will only be available to customers in the UK and Ireland. This will no doubt come as a major blow to any Americans who might enjoy a relaxing, candlelit, chicken-flavoured bubble bath. Anyone who wishes to take part in the contest will have to register their interest at www.kfc.co.uk/gravycandle. God’s speed.