Daily Halacha - Is There a Preference for Which Spices to Bless?

How should one hold the spices and wine during Havdalah?

One should hold the wine in the right hand and the myrtle in the left hand, then recite the blessing over the wine. Then, take the myrtle in the right hand and the wine in the left hand, and recite the blessing over the myrtle. Afterward, return the wine to the right hand. Do not place the cup down while transferring from hand to hand, as the blessings must be arranged over the cup [Shulchan Aruch 296:6].

Is there a preference for which spices to bless?

It is the preferred mitzvah to bless over myrtle, and it is a mitzvah and good that the myrtle should be triple-leaved [Shulchan Aruch 297, Yalkut Yosef p. 834]. It is permitted to smell the spices before the blessing to check if they have a fragrance [Yalkut Yosef p. 838].

Ach Tov VaChesed - Daily Halacha