Review - Dior "Fahrenheit 32"

I wanted Fahrenheit, the (literal) father scent.

When I arrived at the Dior counter I saw numerous flankers and thought I might as well have a sniff of some, I could be pleasantly surprised. Most were guff. Nowhere as good as the original.

Then there was Fahrenheit 32. I immediately thought ugh, this is awful synthetic nonsense. I was after Fahrenheit and this couldn't be further from the stuff.

I bent the tester paper in half abruptly (my sign of dislike) and cast it to the shelf before walking away and hunting down the original Fahrenheit on eBay.

Why do they bother with flankers?

But that's obviously not where this story ends...

When I first smelled F32 I wanted Fahrenheit, I got the opposite and was unhappy.
However once I took my time with 32, had it on a paper strip on my desk, and let the tendrils of scent waft slowly to me throughout the afternoon whilst I researched it online, I finally understood.

Spot the Difference

This was never meant to be a flanker, this was a re-imagining. The polar opposite of the hot thick leather of the original. You only need to see the bottle to realise it is the inverse of that stark red design, instead being a snow capped peak.

Cool, airy, fresh-floral vanilla.

I know, I know. Those dreaded words uttered by every sales person wanting to sell you the new release or the most popular best seller... "It's fresh!"

But I don't know how else to describe it!
It's not citrus fresh like CK One or Eau Sauvage, it's not soapy fresh like Rive Gauche Pour Homme or Mugler's Cologne.

Imagine you have a thick creamy vanilla ice cream, then you aerate it to turn it into a much lighter mousse so it is less sickly sweet and more fluffy delicate vanilla.
Then throw that through a bright sunny sky and have it land in flecks over flower petals.
I managed to find two perfect photos to help explain-

Fluffy Vanilla

Orange Blossom Petals

But it's not floral. I wouldn't even call it gourmand just because it's vanilla. Even if the dry down is mostly that, there is enough of the orange blossom and ozonic qualities to differentiate it from a deep thick vanilla base.

I ask myself, how does something comprising supposedly of 3 elements, vanilla, vetiver, and orange blossom, smell so good? (There is a hint of mint in there too.)

It's a great alternative summer scent, and my favourite part is that it isn't particularly popular which means you won't smell like everyone else.

A truly beguiling scent that I almost overlooked. A testament to trying perfume with a clear mind as well as clear nose.

My father wore the original Fahrenheit, he was a grafter working all hours and it suited his character perfectly as he toiled and laboured. 

F32 is gentle, delicate, and it compliments the original as well as being my preferred of the two. They needn't compete, however, as they are both quality stand alone releases.

This one also gets the coveted "Mother Hibberd" seal of approval, a rare award that is signified with a hug followed by "You smell nice".

Some may ascribe Fahrenheit 32 feminine qualities, but feminine is the new masculine, don't you know?