Fahrenheit 32 (2007)
by Christian Dior

Nice and straightforward. Milky, fruity sweetness. It's not very fresh to me, feels a bit on the heavier side.

This was a blind buy at the mall and I couldn't be happier. Finally, I've found a fresh summer fragrance that isn't overtly synthetic, complicated, or sweet . The neroli (I also get watermelon) opening lasts a good 30 minutes, at which point I experience a nice, warm vetiver balanced with vanilla notes, as well as hints of the light citrus opening throughout. Call me crazy but when I'm outside in the heat I could swear i get subtle notes of mint on my skin.

Overall, F32 gives off the impression of a high-quality fragrance. As with Fahrenheit, there is no synthetic overload - just clear, crisp notes that meld well together. I love its simplicity. There is no mish mash of competing notes, no multiple personality disorder with a fresh fragrance turning super spicy on the skin.

Sillage and longevity are par for the course with Dior, which is far better than the average designer offerings.

What is that sour note that lurks within? Fahrenheit 32 was a disappointment. I was adamant to like it since the original and Dior Homme are great stuff, but 32 didn't make the grade. I hardly detect any orange blossom. Which is the spoil-sport - the vetiver or a sharp, synthetic vanilla? No redeeming notes to be found. What a pity. I haven't smelled it on others. Perhaps it's one of those that should be experienced on another. Thus, neutral.

Oriental woody fragrance for men. The noses behind this fragrance are Francis Demachy and Louise Turner. Good but I prefer Fhrenheit 0 degres.

They’ve screwed over Geir Ness with this one. The power of Norway will soon be no more…

The comparison to Fleur de Male must be made - both are heavy on vanilla and neroli in combination. But where the Gaultier is a balanced, original and cool release - Fahrenheit 32 just seems redundant and frankly, a bit cheap. On my skin I just can´t get by the feeling of a highly artificial product. Something created in a lab between washing powders and stain removing liquids. As for instance Comme Des Garcons has proved time and again, artificiality doesn´t need to be bad per se. But in Fahrenheit 32 there isn´t enough originality or other redeeming stuff going on to justify it. The vanilla and orange blossom smell awfully synthetic and the whole brew has a strength (nuclear!) and offensiveness that´s just a bit too much too handle.

It also shares that sharp "floral aggression" of Geir Ness and Tommy T, giving it a ridiculously clean feeling. The irony is, it´s so strong it comes across more like some kind of industrial strength cleaner for warehouses or something...

Nevertheless it is quite different from most of the stuff coming out today which in itself is worth some praise. But at the end of the day a definite thumbs down. Hardly worthy of sharing shelves with Eau Sauvage or even the original Fahrenheit for that matter.