Neandertal Them
Formulated by Euan McCall, Neandertal Them appeals to fragrance collectors who prefer industrial and unconventional compositions over traditional florals. Sharp lavender and green magnolia rest against a dry foundation of sandalwood, ambrette, and musk. It suits rainy grey afternoons when you want an intellectual, low-key aura that stays close to skin.
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Performance Metrics
539 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Neandertal Them lasts between 6 and 8 hours on skin, maintaining a moderate arm's length sillage for the first 2 hours. It then draws closer, creating a quiet skin scent that thrives in spring weather and mild 55-degree rainy climate conditions.
Notes Pyramid
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Neandertal Them is a cold, woody aromatic fragrance built on contrasts. It opens with sharp carrot seeds, salty seaweed, and grapefruit, transitions into a heart of dry hinoki and magnolia, and settles into a powdery iris, ambergris, and ambrette skin musk. The texture feels pale, mineral, and dry.
Main Accords
10 MAPPEDThe dominant ambergris and powdery accords behave as a pale, warming shell on skin rather than a thick resin. Musky ambrette and woody hinoki float beneath salty marine pulses, shifting from a cold, crisp vegetable start to a soft, clean, human-skin dry-down over four hours.
Community Data
489 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in spring and winter.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Clean mineral opening with carrot seed and seaweed
Subtle powdery iris dry-down that stays close to skin
Excellent wearability on cool, rainy spring days
Unconventional scent profile for niche collectors
Solid 6 to 8 hour longevity on bare skin
Moderate sillage that will not overpower office spaces
Beautiful blend of dry hinoki wood and ambrette musk
Unique sculptural bottle presentation
Distinct alternative to mass-market woody fragrances
Balanced unisex appeal with no overwhelming sweetness
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Challenging opening can smell plasticky or medicinal
Marine seaweed facet may alienate sweet scent lovers
Loose bottle cap quality control reported by users
Not suitable for warm summer heat or high humidity
Lacks traditional warmth or cozy gourmand vanilla
High niche price point makes blind buying risky
Intimate projection after two hours of wear
Carrot seed note can feel overly dry to some wearers
Cold aesthetic feels too formal for casual lounging
Non-linear development requires patience on skin
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Neandertal Them Editorial Review: Futuristic Mineral Wood and Iris”
Neandertal Them strikes skin with a stark, cold opening that feels deliberate and unhurried. Sharp carrot seeds and tart grapefruit provide a crisp vegetable snap, immediately undercut by a briny seaweed note. Lavender adds an herbal undertone, while iris introduces an earthy chill early in the wear. The initial ten minutes smell clean, atmospheric, and distinctly industrial, like walking into a freshly painted room where the dust has settled.
As the sharp top notes calm down, the heart brings forward a dry hinoki wood accord paired with clean neroli. Magnolia adds a faint, waxy floral sweetness that keeps the composition from feeling completely desolate. The iris turns softer and more powdery here, softening the harsh sea kelp facet without losing its structural chill. It feels balanced, quiet, and expansive on skin during cool spring mornings.
In the dry-down, ambergris and ambrette musk take control, surrounding the wearer in a low-frequency skin scent. Sandalwood and styrax lend a subtle balsamic warmth underneath, though the overall impression remains pale, powdery, and woody. The marine seaweed quality stays present in small pulses, mixing with ambrette to produce an intriguing human skin warmth. It never turns heavy, sticky, or overly sweet.
Performance lands squarely in the moderate tier. Expect roughly 6 to 8 hours of total wear time on bare skin, with projection staying within arm's length for two hours before collapsing into a personal bubble. It performs best in mild spring temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as on damp, overcast rain days. High summer heat can amplify the salty marine notes into something slightly harsh, while freezing winter air mutes its subtle musk facets.
This is a fragrance designed for enthusiasts who appreciate concept-driven perfumery over crowd-pleasing sweetness. If you enjoy scents like Le Labo Another 13, Etat Libre d'Orange The Ghost in the Shell, or Escentric Molecules Molecule 01, the mineral wood and powdery iris here will feel right at home. Conversely, shoppers looking for cozy vanilla, rich amber spices, or bright mass-appeal citrus should look elsewhere, as this scent makes no attempt to flatter standard expectations.
Neandertal Them is a compelling release from perfumer Euan McCall that stands out in a sea of predictable woods. Its mix of carrot seed, kelp, and hinoki delivers a clean, futuristic perspective that rewards patient wearers. Given its unconventional opening, buying a sample vial before committing to a full bottle is strongly advised.
FAQs
What does Neandertal Them smell like?+
Neandertal Them opens cold and mineral with carrot seed, salty seaweed, and bitter grapefruit. The heart shifts toward dry hinoki wood and soft magnolia, while the dry-down settles into powdery iris, ambergris, and clean ambrette musk. The overall impression feels sterile, clean, and distinct, reminiscent of freshly painted walls or paper.
How does the opening of Neandertal Them differ from its dry-down?+
The opening smells cold, sharp, and almost industrial with carrot seeds, grapefruit, and salty sea kelp. After thirty minutes, the harshness subsides as powdery iris, hinoki wood, and ambrette turn the scent into a smooth, warm skin musk.
How long does Neandertal Them last on skin?+
Neandertal Them provides 6 to 8 hours of longevity on skin. The top notes of grapefruit and lavender fade within forty-five minutes, while the hinoki wood, ambergris, and ambrette base lingers quietly through an entire workday.
What is the projection and sillage of Neandertal Them?+
Sillage is moderate, creating an arm's length radius for the first two hours. Afterward, it settles into an intimate skin bubble of iris, musk, and pale woods, making it polite and suitable for quiet indoor environments.
Which season is best for wearing Neandertal Them?+
Neandertal Them shines brightest during spring and rainy autumn days. The crisp air complements its cold seaweed, carrot seed, and hinoki notes, whereas intense summer heat can make its marine facets feel overly sharp.
What occasions suit Neandertal Them?+
This scent fits art gallery openings, architectural visits, modern office settings, and quiet rainy afternoons. Its understated, intellectual feel pairs well with tailored minimalist outfits rather than casual beachwear or lively night clubs.
Is Neandertal Them masculine or feminine?+
Neandertal Them is strictly unisex. The blend of dry hinoki wood, salty seaweed, and powdery iris avoids both traditional heavy masculine spice and sweet feminine florals, making it equally appealing to any wearer who likes clean, futuristic scents.
Who is the ideal audience for Neandertal Them?+
This fragrance targets niche perfume collectors, designers, and enthusiasts who appreciate minimalist, concept-driven perfumery. If you prefer transparent woods, iris, and mineral accords over mass-market gourmands, this composition will resonate with your taste.
Can Neandertal Them be layered with other fragrances?+
Yes, Neandertal Them layers nicely with simple cedar or sandalwood oils to add warm depth beneath its crisp iris and seaweed top notes. Avoid pairing it with dense vanilla or heavy rose scents, which clash with its cold mineral character.
How does Neandertal Them compare to Le Labo Another 13?+
While both function as clean skin musks, Another 13 relies heavily on synthetic ambroxan and iso e super. Neandertal Them feels colder and more atmospheric due to its distinct inclusion of salty seaweed, carrot seed, and hinoki wood.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREIf you like Neandertal Them, explore Le Labo Another 13 for an ambroxan skin feel, Etat Libre d'Orange The Ghost in the Shell for lactonic metal woods, or Neandertal Us for a darker, earthier take.
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