The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
The official story traces the inspiration to a ritual, one expressed through scent rather than words. On the table sits the essence of almonds, ready to be shared. Perfumer Viola Pompili translated that tradition into a wearable composition, capturing the nuttiness of bitter almond, the soft sweetness reminiscent of marzipan, and a warmth that feels almost edible. The fragrance debuted in 2011, inviting those who wear it to participate in a moment that is both intimate and sensory. It is, in essence, an olfactory toast to something tender and timeless. The composition opens with that characteristic almond brightness, bitter yet inviting, before settling into something softer and more layered, the kind of scent that lingers in memory long after it fades from skin.
What makes 107 unusual is the way it handles sweetness. Most gourmand fragrances lean into vanilla or caramel, 107 builds its sweet foundation on bitter almond, a note that carries a faint edge of marzipan without descending into sugar. The anise and licorice in the heart add an herbal counterpoint that prevents the composition from feeling flat or one-dimensional. And the strawberry, real strawberry, not candy, grounds the floral heart in something almost jammy and domestic. It is sweet, but it argues with itself about how sweet it wants to be.
The evolution
The opening arrives bright and citrus-forward, lemon and mandarin cutting through before bitter almond takes hold. That marzipan-like sweetness dominates the first hour, but the anise is already waiting beneath, adding a quiet herbal tension. As the citrus fades over the next two to three hours, the heart opens: strawberry and magnolia, soft and almost edible, with licorice threading through like a whisper. The drydown is where 107 earns its depth, sandalwood and vanilla settling into the skin, ambergris lending a salty warmth that keeps the sweetness from becoming cloying. The sandalwood wraps around the skin with a creamy richness that anchors the lighter top notes, while vanilla adds a soft, enveloping quality that feels almost like a second skin. White musk appears in the far drydown, lending a clean, airy finish that prevents the base from feeling too heavy.
Cultural impact
In the landscape of gourmand fragrances, 107 occupies a distinctive position. It shares territory with compositions like Profumum Roma's Confetto and Dior's Hypnotic Poison, offering a similar embrace of edible sweetness. Yet its inclusion of anise and licorice sets it apart, lending a drier, more complex character that distinguishes it from more straightforwardly sweet competitors. The fragrance appeals to those who appreciate gourmand notes but seek something with more nuance and edge. It is not a scent that announces itself loudly, but rather one that reveals its depth gradually, rewarding the wearer who pays attention.
