Neandertal Dark was released in 2018, created by Euan McCall. Notes of foliage, ginger, pink pepper, grapefruit, pine, incense, geranium, caraway, seawood, vetiver, patchouli, oud, amber, musk, leather, sandalwood, tobacco, labdanum. Neandertal Dark is an EDP, eau de parfum.
From the brand - "The darker, more shadowed version of Neandertal. A scent of movement that challenges perfumery conventions. The top note structure of Neandertal dark comprises leafy, aromatic and textural sensations, symbolic of nature; trees, plants, flowers and citrus fruits. Initially, pepper berries and incense clash against this delicate foliage accord, pushing, pulling and in time combining to create a transgressive and original iodine profile as Neandertal dark evolves. Sandalwood and cedar provide a durable foundation for Neandertal dark. The inclusion of oud and leather adds unusual animalic depth and resinous shadow. Earthy rhizome materials reintroduce the familiar green facets in a darker manner. An accord comprising vetiver, patchouli and musk is offset against amber bringing both vibrancy and richness to Neandertal dark."
Fragrantica - "Have you ever wondered what the original primordial soup smelled like? This is the origin of life. It’s beautiful, it’s a masterpiece, and it deeply disturbs me."
Fragrantica - "Primordial, adversarial. Opens with a sharp tomato leaf studded by pink pepper and caraway, then sucks you out into a bog of seaweed and animal pelts. Longevity, god bless us all, is great. I worked somewhere medical where any time an instrument went inside someone's body you'd put it in a big tub of water to be cleaned after the day's procedures were done. Flecks of gore and various fluids hung in the tub like bastard stars. Dark smells like the scent that would worm its way under my mask any time I cleaned a forceps, plus some herbs. Like receiving a scolding about the origin of life: it's not all stardust, kid. Try this on for size."
Fragrantica - "tomato leaf is present through all stages of it, along with the spiciness of it. this one is savory to me, in a way. it's extremely vegetal too, but in a way that seems consumable, edible. it is indeed a very primal smell, like others have mentioned, but it doesn't evoke fear, or a flight or fight response. it's moreso a reminder, to me, that we're all animals; we all need to eat, to sleep. to hibernate a little when it gets cold. it's as simple as it is complex, in a way. maybe it does make me miss cave painting next to a fire with my family, who's to say"
Fragrantica - "Evil. A dark, woody, swampy dungeon, smoke from oil lamps, the offal and evacuations of previous captives are just as much a part of the earthen floor as the dirt itself, sweaty leather restraints on the walls and the sweaty leather armor of the dungeon's brutish keeper. There is a clearly audible growl echoing from the bowels of the dungeon, and Neandertal Dark is making me growl too."
Fragrantica - "I was initially slightly disappointed but it has really grown on me. The notes blend together in such a way that it is difficult for me to discern most of them individually, compared to other perfumes with similar notes. Instead, I am mostly getting a rum and raisin accord (but sweet and spicy rather than boozy). The only part I don’t like about it is the slight plasticine note. Overall, it reminds me of sitting on a leather couch at a bar near the waterfront, an arm around my date, feeling very cozy and in love."
