FRAGRANCE | Aqua Fahrenheit EDT by Dior: Essentially a blue frag disguised in a fiery orange bottle

After a couple of attempts at creating a fresher version of the original—with three editions of Fahrenheit Summer that I assume weren't quite as successful—Dior made another go with Aqua Fahrenheit. I don't know how long it lasted in the market but what I have is the original "splash and spray" bottle from 2011, the year this flanker was released. Apparently it's a coveted version by some fragheads and that I'm one lucky guy. I don't know if there's any difference from later batches but to me it's just a marketing gimmick where you can spray it on or wear it like a classic splash cologne.

Predictably, this creation has the Fahrenheit DNA toned down significantly and the composition is flooded with a vibrant and juicy grapefruit instead. The citrus's inherent bitterness is so strong you can almost taste it running through the back of your throat, a sensation that vaguely reminds me of that bitter green accord in Balenciaga's Florabotanica. Meanwhile, some herbal and salty flavors give the citrus an aromatic vibe, boosted by a gentle, prickly spiciness that emerges shortly.

After a few more minutes, an underlying mild sweetness develops but is kept at bay by the bitterness still lording it over. Later, as the scent starts to settle, the grapefruit's bitter acidity mellows but with some of its sharpness retained. A very soft woody base eases in momentarily to complete the fragrance's scent structure. As for Fahrenheit's gasoline accord, it's sadly buried deep in the composition that its hardly detectable at all, even if sniffed up close.

Aqua Fahrenheit lacks that airiness of other freshies. However, it does possess that aquatic/blue frag cliché of a citrusy top, salty notes, mild sweetness, woody base, and pervading sharpness. It's barely Fahrenheit to me. It's like a totally different aquatic frag that just happens to be in a Fahrenheit bottle. If Dior's goal was to come up with a fresher alternative to the original, they've already hit it before with Fahrenheit Summer. That one was undeniably a Fahrenheit frag, with the OG's DNA featured prominently despite toning it down—if only it projected as well and lasted as long as Aqua. Oh well.