The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Scent Bar, established on New York is Lower East Side in 2015, reimagined perfume making as a collaborative act. Rather than positioning fragrance as a luxury commodity, the brand turned scent creation into a workshop where customers blend their own compositions under expert guidance. The founder, a former tea sommelier, developed an obsession with a small Parisian maison specializing in Chinese tea rituals. That obsession became the seed for 108, a fragrance designed to capture a morning ceremony where blackcurrant berries bruised between fingertips mingled with bergamot steam rising from ceramic cups. Perfumer Viola Pompili translated this brief into olfactory form, using the opening notes to evoke the tactile and aromatic elements of the ritual and building a composition that feels both personal and ritualistic.
The note philosophy behind 108 prioritizes contrast and continuity. Bergamot and blackcurrant create an immediate tension between brightness and depth. Green tea acts as a bridge, connecting the fruity opening to the green heart. In the base, sandalwood and musk provide warmth that does not overwhelm, allowing blackcurrant and galbanum to persist as subtle reminders of the opening. The pairing rationale is deliberate: petitgrain and galbanum echo each other in their green bitterness, creating unity across phases. Lily of the valley and green notes reinforce the botanical character that defines the heart.
The evolution
The opening unfolds like the first sip of a morning cup, with bergamot and mandarin orange providing immediate citrus brightness. Blackcurrant enters early, adding tart fruitiness that feels almost physical, like pressing berries against skin. Green tea brings a watery, contemplative quality while petitgrain keeps the composition grounded in green bitterness. As time passes, the citrus fades and the heart reveals itself. Lily of the valley takes prominence, offering crisp, dewy floral tones that feel fresh rather than sweet. White flowers amplify this effect while green notes continue to provide botanical structure. The transition to the drydown is gradual. Blackcurrant persists but softens, becoming a background echo of the opening. Sandalwood introduces creamy warmth while musk adds skin proximity and intimacy. Galbanum delivers a final green flicker that prevents the base from feeling purely warm and woody.
Cultural impact
108 quickly became a staple for those who value a gender‑neutral, office‑friendly fragrance, echoing Scent Bar’s inclusive, hands‑on philosophy. Wearers often mention its fresh‑green vibe as a perfect backdrop for creative meetings, and it’s frequently compared to other green‑citrus unisex scents, cementing its place as a go‑to for casual professional settings.
