was™ by Neandertal

Best was™ by Neandertal Alternatives & Similar Perfumes

was™ by Neandertal is an oriental woody fragrance combining bright and spicy notes of bergamot, nutmeg, cardamom, and green tea with a rich base of musk, amber, sandalwood, and vanilla. Its balanced mix of aromatic spices and warm woods creates a sophisticated, complex scent with hints of cloves, cedarwood, patchouli, and vetiver. Those drawn to layered oriental woods with a fresh yet warm character should focus on fragrances that incorporate these spicy and woody accords alongside amber and musk.

New to Bloom? Get 10% off your first order with code NICHE10
1
Santal

Santal by Floris £100.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £5.00
  • Key notes:
  • amber
  • black pepper
  • cardamom
  • cedarwood
  • cloves
  • frankincense
  • nutmeg
  • sandalwood
  • vetiver
  • Tags:
  • #clean
  • #fresh
  • Aromagroups:
  • spicy
  • woody

Santal takes its inspiration from a Sandalwood fragrance originally created in the 1800s which has then been given a distinctive contemporary edge.

2
No. 89

No. 89 by Floris £100.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £5.00
  • Key notes:
  • bergamot
  • geranium
  • neroli
  • nutmeg
  • oakmoss
  • sandalwood
  • vetiver
  • Aromagroups:
  • aromatic
  • citrusy
  • woody

No. 89 has been an icon among the Floris collection for over 60 years. First crafted in 1951, No. 89 takes its name from the number of their flagship shop on Jermyn Street.

Ian Fleming who was a customer of Floris mentions No. 89 in his James Bond universe.

No. 89 is a classic and timeless mix of fresh citruses, sparkly spices and aromatic herbs resting on sandalwood and oakmoss. There is an adventurous romantic twist in the formula though: a drop of rose.

No. 89 could be a fragrance for the quintessential English gentleman.

3
Squire Jack

Squire Jack by Plowden & Fallow £88.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £4.00
  • Key notes:
  • cardamom
  • frankincense
  • geranium
  • incense
  • nutmeg
  • sandalwood
  • Tags:
  • #fresh
  • #powdery
  • Aromagroups:
  • aromatic
  • spicy
  • woody

A celebration of great British eccentricity and all-round mischievous behaviour. This unique fragrance is an ode to the Mad Squire, his legacy of a life lived knowing no bounds and his fiendish love for outlandish stunts. This composition contains broad lashings of velvety woody opulence, finished with the earthy undertones of society’s eventual condemnation.

Squire Jack is an aromatic, oriental and woody perfume created for the rule breaker; this is a scent above all that captivates that free spirit of those that can’t just help but dare.

4
White

White by Comme Des Garcons £100.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £5.00
  • Key notes:
  • cardamom
  • cinnamon
  • cloves
  • coriander
  • lily-of-the-valley
  • marigold
  • nutmeg
  • rose
  • Tags:
  • #beast
  • Aromagroups:
  • spicy

White is a bright and lively fragrance built around the friction between hot spices and suave florals. The cinnamon, clove and cardamom opening suggests candied red hots, which makes it all the more surprising when the melange of rose de Mai and lily of the valley softly asserts itself. The undertone of tagete, with its bitter herbalness, keeps White from getting too “pretty-pretty”.

5
Chaco

Chaco by Nissaba £150.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £8.00
  • Key notes:
  • bergamot
  • cedarwood
  • gaiac / guaiac wood
  • green tea
  • mate tea
  • petitgrain
  • Tags:
  • #fresh
  • Aromagroups:
  • citrusy
  • green

Chaco is the second largest primary forest of Latin America, called the "impenetrable forest" for its incredibly dense formation. This Paraguayan forest is the only place in the world where gaiac wood grows, known locally as palo santo. The region is also prized by perfumers as source of petitgrain essential oil, as well yerba maté tea leaves. Chaco the fragrance is a cologne style built around a refined tea structure. Perfumer Alexandra Monet placed the petitgrain and maté in conversation with each other, heightening each other’s mellow greenness in the process. Palo santo, with its woody, salty and smoky facets, brings warmth and sensuality, resulting in a unique unisex signature with lightness and modern elegance.

6
Sugardaddy

Sugardaddy by Fugazzi £205.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £7.00
  • Key notes:
  • amber
  • bergamot
  • cloves
  • jasmine
  • patchouli
  • Tags:
  • #beast
  • #sweet
  • Aromagroups:
  • citrusy
  • fruity
  • spicy

Warm sunshine at twilight. Tangerine dances with bergamot in this cashmere, jasmine and patchouli-based choreography. With a whopping 50% of perfume oil, this extrait is persuasive enough to beguile any unsuspecting soul who crosses your path.

7
Beyond Lethe 不忘川

Beyond Lethe 不忘川 by Zhiwuzhi 挚物志 £120.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £4.00
  • Key notes:
  • cedarwood
  • geranium
  • incense
  • nutmeg
  • sage
  • thyme
  • Tags:
  • #fresh
  • #savory
  • Aromagroups:
  • aromatic
  • woody

In Greek mythology, the Lethe is the River of Forgetfulness in the underworld of Hades. In this shadowed realm, the crimson river coils like a ribbon through clouds of dark smoke. To ford the Lethe is to overcome the thunder and silence of solitude, reclaiming your name that burns like an eternal fire. Beyond Lethe starts this fire with the warm spice of nutmeg, softened by the herbal depth of mugwort and sage, creating a mysterious and contemplative beginning. Geranium and thyme unfold with a subtle aromatic clarity, before patchouli, incense and cedarwood deepen the composition, leaving a dark, meditative trail that feels ancient and enduring.

Perfumer: Ugo Charron

8
The Empress Kiss

The Empress Kiss by Mystikum £190.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £8.00
  • Key notes:
  • amber
  • bergamot
  • cardamom
  • chypre
  • rose
  • vanilla
  • Tags:
  • #sexy
  • Aromagroups:
  • floral
  • woody

This fragrance summons the strength and elegance of a modern ruler.

Spicy saffron, cardamom and clove boldly herald the main event: an oud rose sexed up with musk. A hint of raspberry and caramel makes you lick your lips. Power meets seduction.

Perfumer: Mark Buxton

9
Laetitia

Laetitia by Rance 1795 £120.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £6.00
  • Key notes:
  • cardamom
  • nutmeg
  • rose
  • tangerine
  • tolu balm
  • vanilla
  • Tags:
  • #powdery
  • Aromagroups:
  • citrusy
  • spicy
  • woody

A voluptuous amber built around the formidable floral trio of magnolia, peony and Bulgarian rose. Adding spice to the headiness is nutmeg and cardamom, and the lusciousness is heightened by a custardy vanilla, with a playful wink of tangerine. Tender orange blossom further encourages the decadence. Laetitia features millesimé notes: like in fine wines and liqueurs, these are the extracts obtained from the best years of production.

10
PG11.1 Indian Wood

PG11.1 Indian Wood by Pierre Guillaume - Parfumerie Générale £140.00

Not sure yet? Try a 1 ml sample for £6.00
  • Key notes:
  • cardamom
  • nutmeg
  • oakmoss
  • peppermint
  • sandalwood
  • Tags:
  • #fresh
  • #sexy
  • Aromagroups:
  • spicy
  • woody

This spicy aromatic favourite is your go-to anytime, anywhere fragrance. 
The smart-casual blend of sandalwood, vetiver and oakmoss gets a confident kick from the hot/cold combo of nutmeg and cardamom with peppermint.

About was™ by Neandertal

What are the main scent characteristics of was™ by Neandertal?
was™ is an oriental woody fragrance featuring a blend of spicy notes like cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, and green tea, balanced with woody accords such as cedarwood, sandalwood, patchouli and vetiver. It also includes warm amber, musk and vanilla for depth and richness.
How does was™ differ from the fragrances listed here?
was™ combines fresh green tea and aromatic spices with a rich woody and amber base, creating a complex oriental woody scent. Many listed fragrances highlight some of these facets but often omit green tea or musk, or introduce different accords like chypre, floral, or animalic notes.
Which fragrances here are closest in character to was™ for someone seeking a similar scent?
Fragrances like Santal, No. 89, and Focus share multiple spicy and woody notes with was™, emphasising fresh, amber and sandalwood elements. For a sweeter or more floral take, The Empress Kiss or Laetitia might be suitable alternatives.