Northern Flicker
Eau de Parfum, January Scent Project (2024)

This past autumn, I spotted a northern flicker foraging on the ground, immediately identifying its distinct appearance, a red patch on its head, its black-scalloped breast, its black breast plate and sable hue. I decided that it was no mere coincidence to learn that my friend John Biebel was developing a new fragrance based on this charming bird while we were having lunch just a number of days later. He shared a sample with me and I was immediately struck by its tenor, choosing not only to highlight woody, coniferous density, through the use of a brilliant green-tinted pine absolute, but also through the use of materials to evoke the air and even the aura of the bird itself.

The atmosphere Biebel illustrates is cool, with just a bit of a chill, using mint and Hedione, which sets the tone for the overall feel of Northern Flicker. It is not only decidedly "outdoorsy," or agrestic, if you will, but it breathes and moves, much like our feathered protagonist. Poplar buds, a favorite botanic material of mine which was originally used in Roudnitska's legendary Prunol base, evokes the soft sweetness of the forest, reminiscent of prunes, dried apricots, propolis, with a subtle overripe pungency. It shades the picture with those qualities we may detect when we follow our nose through wooded lands. Another material, ginger lily, derived not from a true botanical lily but rather Hedychium coronarium (from the same botanical family as ginger, hence the name), has this uniquely sour, fruity undertone that is here to represent the bird itself in this setting.

Now that I’ve attempted to connect the dots, as it were, I did not intend for this to be simply a dissection of the creation. As with many JSP releases, it is worthy of contemplation. I will circle back to the belief that events are not always coincidental; I find it impossible to resist the urge to lean into metaphysics. I am of the opinion that a loss of shared mythology is a great threat to the west. Experiencing Northern Flicker after that sighting felt like a long-needed recalibration to what is most meaningful (cue the Exupery quote); the renewed enchantment of alchemy at the hands of an artist, especially that from whom one is a friend, who is there when trust and support is so greatly needed. It's helped renew my desire to create in a time where creators are so desperately needed—when nihilism and destruction have become so seductive. Lastly, it simply brings me joy in its ode to the natural world, its splendor and wonder, which is my altar of devotion. Thank you, John, for Northern Flicker.

Trying my sample of Northern Flicker. I've been anticipating this perfume for a few months now, since I heard about it's upcoming release. Opens with a big hedione/floral muskiness with hints of terpenic conifer. Honestly, the opening reminds me slightly of Amber Teutonic by D.S. & Durga, but with more jasmine tinged floral than the orange/tangerine citrus notes in the D.S.&D fragrance. My first impression of Northern Flicker are good! I definitely smell a hint of pear as someone mentioned somewhere I read. The terpenic character of the conifer notes gives Northern Flicker a slight medicinal quality, but I tend to enjoy those, and it is only slight. I'm hoping for more bright conifers as NF develops and I've also heard that vetiver becomes more prominent in the dry down as well. I'm also smelling some labdanum and an ambery quality to this perfume. This is a very interesting combination of notes, which is what I was hoping for from Mr. Biebel, and he doesn't disappoint! I would love to rock a bottle of this perfume! Well done, John!