Fahrenheit
Eau de Toilette, Christian Dior (1988)

On paper this is completely indistinct. If you're planning on buying it make sure to test it on skin. The current formulation is pretty good, so if you were disappointed with the formulation that was sold starting from 2k14, it might be the time to come back to Fahrenheit and try it again.

The gasoline accord is noticeable, but it eventually evolves into a general accord of 'freshness' a la the humidity after spring rain in the dry-down as the notes get to know each other better. I like both the intensity of gasoline and the vitalizing effect of the freshness, so I'm a winner on both counts.

The other offerings from Dior aside from Sauvage Elixir haven't been as interesting to me as this EDT. The Le Parfum flanker is a niche that has already been filled out by EP's Divine Vanille for me and it isn't particularly exciting or as good a take on vanilla as DV is, but you can smell some of the Fahrenheit DNA, even if it has less intensity and it's personality is pushed back by the other notes in that one, but I really don't like half-measures in fragrance, so why would I get something that is mediocre at both being Fahrenheit and being a vanilla fragrance?

Anyways, timeless classic. Watch the original 1988 ad. It describes the fragrance better than any review or blog ever could. Thumbs up.

At first, I didn't like this fragrance, but it has grown on me. It's a straightforward leather scent with a touch of wood and violet leaves to balance it out. The performance is good, making it a solid fragrance overall. However, I wouldn't recommend it as a blind purchase or gift, as it's a scent that requires testing and sampling beforehand.

Yup. Gasoline and leather. Wow. This is not really pleasant. I wouldn’t run away from it, but I don’t like it much. There is a softness under the strident notes that suggests tonka, and it’s a plushy warm kind of soft, but yes, gasoline and old suede dominate. This is the modern version. Update: after washing it off strenuously, I’m getting a very pleasant vetiver scent that I really like. Too bad it doesn’t do that in the first ten minutes. I really love that scrubbed off version! I'll leave this to those who can wear it.

An incredibly tenacious fragrance in vintage formulation with an unmistakable piercing-petrol-sharp-leathery-floral invigorating freshness that brings back so many memories. It is one of the most easily recognizable fragrances when detected in the air. Nothing quite like it and it never gets old.

The finest use of a violet note in a men's scent that I know of, with a superbly constructed leather and petrol / gasoline accord and flame coloured bottle. I own 3 bottles or the first formulation EDT (30 and 33 Avenue Hoche printed on the label on the base) and an after shave from 1988. The current formulation pales in comparison. The first formulation is a real powerhouse and would be considered niche strength today, lasting in excess of 12 hours on my skin. A true classic which has suffered greatly from multiple reformulation since its initial release but the original will always be worth buying. Dior's greatest fragrance for men alongside Jules from 1981.

I am generally a Dior fragrance admirer, I have 3 of their best sellers.

But this one, is thumbs down.

My olfactory impression is this- if you have ever had a dry cleaning garment, for which they did half ass job and did not remove the solvent completely, the garment will smell of faint kerosene or gasoline like. I have had experience few times with some NY dry cleaners. Hence I cannot get that association out of my head. Apart from that, it smells vaguely of Trussardi Uomo, hints of Aramis, some Jules DNA (its a brother after all) and may be some Antaeus.

Would not spend money on this one without a generous testing if I was considering this one.