Let’s talk about refills and dupes—because we get asked all the time.
No, we don’t pour refills into old vessels. Old jars are simply there as extra candle wax holders when making candles.
And no, that “dupe” you found online isn’t the same. It never will be, despite the ads that are all over social media. Here’s why:
Used Candles Are Compromised
Once a candle’s been burned, the game changes. The inside of the vessel is coated in soot, fragrance residue, and microscopic debris—even if it looks clean.
Refilling into that environment is like pouring fresh wine into a dirty glass. It affects burn quality, scent throw, and stability. You're basically asking a premium wax and fragrance formula to perform in compromised conditions. We don’t do that. Our standards—and your experience—deserve better.
*You can clean and reuse the candle vessel when completely cooled. Add boiling water, let it cool. The residue wax and fragrance will be lifted up and harden. Once that happens, drain into a strainer. Take dishwasher soap and do a first clean of the vessel. Dry. Remove the wick. Then take isopropyl alcohol on a paper towel and clean again. I recommend another round with the dish soap or dishwasher.
Wick Placement Is an Exact Science
Refilling an old candle isn't just "pour and go." The wick needs to be placed before pouring, when the wax is cool and controlled—not inside a used, waxy crater. Even the slightest shift in wick centering throws off the burn pool. You’ll get tunneling, excess soot, or uneven melting. Translation? A candle that underperforms and burns out fast.
We’re not interested in half-measures or hacked-together products. That’s not luxury. That’s DIY with lipstick.
Dupes Copy Notes. They Miss the Formula.
Dupe culture is cute until you know what actually goes into perfumery.
Most dupes sniff the top notes, get a general vibe, then rebuild with cheaper oils and generic wax blends. They can’t access the full formula because they don’t have it. They’re guessing.
We don’t use pre-made fragrance oils. Our scents are built from scratch.
Think: perfumer blends, rare ingredients, balance ratios that take months to get right. You can’t copy that with a candle from Etsy or TikTok. It’s a knockoff wearing a designer’s name on a fast-fashion tee.
WhenI make bespoke scents for clients I ask what scents they like as a reference point, without ever trying to duplicate. There will always be the Whiskey & Woof signature touch in any scent.
These are Scent Stories, Not Templates
Every scent from Whiskey & Woof tells a story of moments together from intimate to celebrations. It’s why the wax has body. It’s why the scent lingers and why the last burn is as strong as the first burn. For example, No. 2 Elle was inspired by walks on the beach, walking by houses with rose gardens following paw prints in the sand, as the ocean waves break gently to one side and you see a happy, panting face awaiting your arrival next to a piece of driftwood up ahead. While No. 4 Confidante is about conversations of longtime friends catching up over a cocktail. The warmth and closeness of conversation.
Could we sell refills? Sure. Could we use less fragrance and lower quality wax? Technically yes, but creatively no. While I was creating the new Watermelon Aura scent, I tried my hand at creating a less layered scent profile. When I attempt it, my nose knows there's an element missing. It isn't a short story, it's a story without heart. Whiskey & Woof uses the highest caliber and cruelty free elements that can turn the volume up or down on your moods.
The vessels should live a second life. Just because the wax is gone doesn’t mean the vibe has to be. Here’s what to do instead:
1. Make It a Vanity Flex
Use it to hold makeup brushes, lip liners, perfume samples, or that one red lipstick that makes you feel expensive.
2. The Coolest Q-Tip Holder Ever
No offense to Target organizers, but this hits harder in a bathroom. Add cotton rounds or Q-tips and feel unreasonably chic every morning.
3. Desktop Trophy
Paper clips. Pens. Gold foil-wrapped chocolates you only give to yourself when you survive a meeting. Instant upgrade.
4. Mini Planter
Add pebbles, soil, and a small succulent or cactus. Bonus: You’re recycling and decorating at the same time.
5. Stash Jar
Jewelry, matches, CBD gummies, spare change, tiny secrets—we’re not judging. Just clean it out and get creative.
6. Cocktail Vibe Check
Lowball glass energy. If you're bold (and it's properly cleaned), use it for whiskey on ice. Or whiskey and soda. Or just ice. Who’s to say?
7. Gift It Forward
Fill it with candy, loose tea, or bath salts, slap on a ribbon, and boom: instant hostess gift.
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