Hands-on with TwelveSouth’s ‘New Mac’ scented candle [Video]

I’ve long-admired the smell of new Apple hardware. I understand that not everyone gets it, but for those who do, it’s a distinct smell that can be instantly recognized.

I first encountered this smell upon purchasing my first ever Apple product – a mid-2000’s Mac mini – and I’ve been hooked ever since. It’s not that I go around smelling Apple boxes, but the scent evokes fond memories of my first Mac experience.

So when the Apple accessory makers over Twelve South introduced a new Mac-inspired candle, I was intrigued, as those of you who are reading this no doubt are as well. Does Twelve South’s New Mac candle really smell like a freshly opened piece of “Designed by Apple in California?”

Twelve South states on the bottom of its candle that the scent is its own interpretation of what new Apple hardware smells like. Upon unboxing the candle, this much is quite obvious; its scent, like any scented candle worth its weight, proceeds it.

The New Mac candle is a 100% hand-poured soy wax candle that contains a variety of scent notes in an effort to emulate the new Mac smell. The candle is contained within an opaque, black glass jar with a simple “New Mac” Twelve South sticker on the front.

Opening the candle’s lid allows olfaction to completely take over as you’re immediately doused with a bouquet of mint, peach, basil, lavender, mandarin and sage. Mac-scent aside, it’s quite the pleasing smell on its own. The best way I can describe it is “clean” — it puts off a very clean-smelling scent.

Hands-on video

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Twelve South calls its fragrance an interpretation, and after comparing this candle with my just-opened iPhone 7 box, I’d say that’s a fair description. The candle doesn’t smell exactly like new Apple hardware, but I find that it evokes enough redolence to live up to its namesake.

Lighting the candle brought out even more of the aroma, but just keeping the lid off is enough to fill a small room or office.

The New Mac candle has a burn time of 45-55 hours, although I’m guessing that many of the people interested in this product will be in it more so for the novelty. But even if you do plan on burning it, you can always buy another when it runs out of wax. Twelve South is selling these candles for a reasonable $24, which includes free shipping in the US. Within a day of the initial post all of the initial batch of candles sold out, but stock will be available again soon.

What are your thoughts on the New Mac candle? Do you plan on picking one up?