CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery: Hall Newbegin of Juniper Ridge + The Mountains in a Bottle Draw

hall newbegin juniper ridge

Hall Newbegin, Chief Wildcrafter and Founder of Juniper Ridge Natural Fragrances

Profile: I always think of myself as being an accidental perfumer. I grew up in Portland, Oregon and spent my summers hiking and backpacking around the lakes and peaks of the Casacades – Mt. Hood, Mt Jefferson, The Three Sisters … just saying those names brings some kind of magic into the room for me and that’s what my perfume is all about. If I can put a summer day on Mt. Hood’s timberline trail when the wildflowers are peaking into a bottle, well, that’s just the most beautiful thing that there is or could ever be.

cafleurebon juniper ridge

Juniper Ridge's  eco line 1980s van-  Mobile Distillery

I'm a hiker and a mushroom forager and not really a perfume or luxury industry type person- other than outdoor gear, old records and books, I don’t really buy much stuff. I’ve never had any interest in traditional perfumes or colognes, but I’ve always seen the world through my nose. Fragrance these days is what happens at a perfume counter at a big department store, but historically fragrance was always about wearing nature on our bodies, and it’s so much simpler and more beautiful than all those luxury brands would like for you to believe.

juniper ridge hall newbegin the wild crafter

Real Guys, Real Campfire, Real Fragrance

We're animals and we see nature through our noses. Smell is the oldest of our senses. It bypasses reason and goes straight to the ancient parts of our brains—right to our emotions. And until the last two seconds of our evolutionary history, we depended on our sense of smell and wild plants for our day-to-day survival. Do you think your body has forgotten all that? Of course not! Real fragrance, the kind that comes from the Wild, will change you on the inside, change the way you feel, because you're not interacting with petrochemical fragrance at a perfume counter, you're interacting with nature itself, and you're awakening primitive parts of yourself that you didn't even know we're there. You don’t have to buy our products to awaken this dormant capacity. Your body is aching to interact with plants and nature—it’s in your DNA. So go hit the trail, crush pine needles and breath it in, crawl around in the bushes and smell the earth! Don’t be embarrassed! It’s your heritage as a human, this is your home.

hall newbegin cafleurebonjuniper ridge fragrance distilled by handd

Distillation and extraction

 On American Perfumery: I never buy fragrance ingredients from other companies, never. If I want an ingredient, I put on my hiking boots on and go get it. We extract all of our own fragrances either on the road or in our workshop in Oakland and we only use the old, pre-industrial fragrance extraction techniques: steam distillation, enfleurage, infusion etc… A hundred years ago every fragrance house in Paris made perfume this way – today, all those big houses rely on petrochemical fragrance from big factories.

juniper ridge

These days, I'm more interested in making a small run of say 90 Redwood Creek perfumes that capture Mt. Tamalpais' Redwood slopes on an early winter day when the soil is alive with mushrooms… that day, that place, and I never make it the same way again – that's what really excites me.

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Real place-based fragrance—the kind that comes from plants, trees, moss, and bark—rearranges your insides, wakes up this dormant part of your primitive nature, transports you to the stillness of the outdoors, and in general does complex shit to us that we’ll never understand.

neilyounggary snyder poet

Singer Neil Young  and Poet Gary Snyder

Favorite American Artist: Gary Snyder and Neil Young are two of my biggest heroes. I love the freaks who stray outside the lines and compulsively do their own, crazy thing because they can't help it – it's just who they are and they couldn't be any other way. Sometimes those people are visionaries, innovative business leaders, cultural heroes, artists and change everything and sometimes they end up wondering up and down the long wilderness trails of the U.S. lost in a daze. I don't know which kind I am yet, check back with me in ten years.

–Hall Newbegin, Founder and Head Wildcrafter for Juniper Ridge

juniper ridge fragrances

Juniper Ridge Backpacker's Cologne and Cabin Sprays

Thanks to Hall  and the team at Juniper Ridge we have a (USA only)  draw for your choice of:

 Juniper Ridge Carutha's Canyon Backpack's Cologne, Siskiyou Backpacker's Cologne,  Big Sur Cabin Spray, Cascade Glacier Cabin Spray or Inyo Cabin Spray

To be eligible please leave a comment about what you found particulary interesting about Hall Newbegin's profile and your choice of Cologne or Cabin Spray. For extra credit please tell us what U.S. mountain or trail you would like the Juniper Ridge folks to explore for a new cologne or cabin spray. Draw closes August 15, 2013

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We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize wil be just spilled perfume

 

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41 comments

  • Cynthia says:

    “you’re body is aching to interact with nature…it’s in you DNA.” I agree with this whole paragraph. Even in my part time city life in Singapore I had to locate as close to the Botanic Gardens as I can. I have to see green. I have the Inyo cabin spray so i would choose Big Sur if I win. I spent two weeks rafting the Grand Canyon and I would love them to try to capture the scent there.

  • Tami H. says:

    I love how Hall finds everything for his scents in his environment. Have been a fan of Juniper Ridge for awhile now and LOVE all of their products from tea to the wonderful Pinion Wood incense.
    Would love to win the Canyon Backpack Cologne. How about Devil’s Tower in Wyoming? Thanks for the draw!

  • cdb73110 says:

    This is fascinating….creating a scent at that exact time and place to capture that moment love this train of thought. I would really like the Carutha’s Canyon Backpack’s Cologne. To capture the desert in such a natural way is just amazing. In the USA and than you for the chance.

  • Chris Schaefer says:

    WOW! Fascinating and so true! I live in the Trinity Alps…..just on the wilderness boundary. When I hike I become so in tune to the fragrance around me. And the sunshine brings it all out there. I would love the Siskiyou Backpacker’s Cologne and I would love to see an exploration of Canyon Creek in the Trinity Alps….or really any place in the Alps.

  • julesinrose says:

    Fantastic profile! I’ve bought Juniper Ridge incense. I was curious about their cologne, but wasn’t that curious. Now I am, for I like the way Mr. Newbegin talks about the smell of nature. That he “sees the world” through his nose. It was all interesting, but I like the fact that he’s an accidental perfumer.

    I’d love to try Siskiyou Backpacker’s Cologne, and I’d love to smell his take on the east coast – Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park in Maine.

    I’m in the U.S., and liked your Profiles in. . .on FB. Thanks!

  • Victoria Casey says:

    I really like the idea of a perfumer with a connection to the outdoors & nature. I found that the most interesting thing. I’d love to win Caruthas Canyon. Backpacker cologne. I think his take on Harquahala mountains in AZ would be great. I live in the USA.

  • leathermountain says:

    I really appreciate the local and sustainable sourcing!!!
    Caruthers Canyon for me, please. I’m in the US.
    Next stop: Kakiat Trail in Harriman State Park, a local favorite.

  • Nemo says:

    I like the idea of a perfume that captures, like a snapshot, a very specific moment in time in a special place. I am in the US, and it would be great if they could do a perfume based on the Blue Mountains in NC. I would love the Siskiyou Backpacker’s Cologne.

  • breathesgelatin says:

    This is the only line I know of where they are literally doing EVERYTHING themselves – the harvesting, the distilling, the perfuming. I’m really fascinated. Please enter me for Siskiyou Backpacker’s Cologne.

  • Zee says:

    I love this company and stocked up on their soaps when I left the west coast not knowing they were being sold nationally – I love that they are using local products so really wouldn’t want them to travel across the country to another mountain range they’re doing just fine where they are but now that I’m living in Appalachia a blue ridge scent would be pretty amazing.
    I’d choose any of the colognes as they aren’t sold near me and I’ve yet to sample them.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • ringthing says:

    I’m not familiar with Juniper Ridge but I appreciate the idea of waking up our primitive DNA by smelling real smells. Fanatically natural! I’m in the US, would like to see a perfume from Big Mountain in Flathead County MT, and my choice would be the Siskiyou Backpacker’s Cologne.

  • Ellen Covey says:

    I admire and envy someone who goes out into the forest and distills on the spot or sustainably gathers their own materials to process at home. I have the Juniper Ridge Siskyou incense, but would love to try one of the colognes

  • Clove Pink says:

    I am from Oregon and really am interested in his creations. I thought what was interesting is that he never buys fragrance ingredients from other companies, and if he wants an ingredient he puts on his hiking boots on and goes and gets it. Also that he’s a hiker and a mushroom forager. I think Lake Tahoe would be a good scent to make. There’s the Tahoe Rim Trail, I think that would be great. It’s a trail that goes around the entire lake. I think some pine, wildflowers or somehow a note of crisp, fresh/alpine ‘snow’ smell would be awesome. If he could capture Lake Tahoe in a bottle, I’d be impressed! I’ve been to Big Sur and I loved, loved the smell, that’s what I remembered the most. I’d love to smell this creation and see if it’s how I remembered it. I live in the U.S. Thanks so much!

  • taffyj says:

    What is it about that area of the country that is producing these marvelous perfumers? Enjoyed this profile and especially this comment: “we see nature through our noses.”

    Cascade Glacier Cabin Spray would be one of my choices.

  • Suzinn says:

    I’m right on board with everything Hall Newbegin has to say about fragrance straight from the source with no synthetics. As a organic gardener and natural perfumer living in Oregon I am usually surrounded by the beauty of the natural world and constantly inspired by it. I would love to try Siskiyou Backpacker’s Cologne.
    Thanks!

  • linda says:

    i’m impressed by everything about his perfume making. if anyone has made the perfume of fall hikes in the woods around colchester pond, it will be this man.

  • Steve A. says:

    Any article that mentions Neil Young is interesting. Come explore the Greeen Mountains. My choice is Cascade Glacier Cabin Spray.

  • David Johnson says:

    i’d love Siskiyou Backpacker’s Cologne! it’s so cool how they extract all the ingredients themselves from local sources. it would awesome if they made a new fragrance based on one of America’s longest trails: the Appalachian Trail!

  • susie frankel says:

    Very interesting individual…how about something from Yellowstone…lots of area to forage. I’d like to try Siskiyou … backpacker’s.

  • Barry says:

    Fascinating story. Much of what he says reminds me of Dominique Dubrana’s philosophy at Profumo I live in the Pacific Northwest and there’s a particular smell of hot rocks, pine needles, and moss that comes in summer when walking in the woods. I’ve never seen this captured in a fragrance. last time I smelled it was in the Tantalus Range near Squamish, BC. I know this smell exists in the Cascade range in WA state. I wonder if Juniper Ridge does it. I’d love to try Carutha’s Canyon Backpack’s Cologne if I win, or any of the other smells. I wish this guy had a sample pack that I could buy.

  • soupersusan says:

    Newbegin’s “happy-animal” perspective of scent in Nature raises my spirits just in the reading. His HQ is within driving (or BART-ing) distance of my home, and there seem to be several retailers in the area.

    Maybe he’d like to explore scent-scaping the Skyline-to-the-Sea trail in San Mateo County.

    I would especially like some Caruther’s Canyon Backpacker’s Cologne or Siskiyou Backpacker’s Cologne, but everything sounds grand, and I’d be happy with anything.

    Thank you for the drawing and the profile, and for introducing me to the line!

  • Meg T. says:

    I find it interesting and inspiring that they source ALL of their ingredients themselves. That is awesome. For a new scent I would explore the east coast– the Appalachian Trail! Being from NC I would specifically say Great Smoky Mtns Ntl Park. I choose Big Sur cabin spray if I win. (I live in US and liked the American Perfumers FB page!)

  • Caitlin Morgan says:

    I love the concept of “real-place” fragrance. In fact, I think Hall should come to San Francisco, and hike our urban Glen Canyon, which is treat for the senses in any weather. Lot of possibility there. In terms of my choice for a draw: Big Sur Cabin spray, but I would take anything from this line. Great philosophy and products.

  • angiefunk says:

    What a wonderful write up. I am in love with Juniper Ridges Siskiyou Cedar soap, Siskiyou Backpackers cologne would have to be my choice for the draw. Very interesting that he never buys any essential oils to add to the colognes, only forages his own essences That is amazing. I would have to say I would love Mount Rainer for a scent. The crisp smell of the snowy air mixed with the fir trees is nothing short of spectacular. I live in the US. Thank you!

  • Patty P says:

    I found the extraction techniques interesting. 🙂
    I would love to have from this draw the Caruther’s Canyon Backpack’s Cologne.
    I”ll choose the Appalachian Trail as a place for future fragrance exploration.
    U.S.A & Thank you!

  • jbella413 says:

    I love the simplicity of the natural order in his life…and his passion to share his experience with anyone who wishes to journey along the trails he travels. What better than hugging Mother Earth in a bottle for those of us so many miles away from Big Sir and the Cascades. I love that just opening his products immediately transports me to a familiar memory….a place in time.
    Thank you Hall…for the honesty in your craft.

  • Jolene says:

    Winter Redwood, that is the first I would like to try. Please go to the Ozark Mountains or Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Arkansas. When the warm summer air blows in, it carries the breeze of all the wild flowers. I cannot find the actual flower name. It is a yellow, sweet, buttery flower; I love it the most, we have it here in Minnesota too. If you could bottle that scent, it would be intoxicating.

  • jbella413 says:

    Siskiyou Backpackers cologne would be my choice in fragrance…forgot to add that to my comment.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    the most interesting fact and probably the only one in the niche industry is that Hall plants and obtain extracts from them himself. It’s like Apple; having total control over quality. the next spot Juniper Ridge should explore is Appalachian Mountains. They may find inspiration for a leathery scent since these mountains have natural resources

    my choice is Caruthers Canyon Backpacker’s Cologne

  • Priya says:

    Love this post! I couldn’t agree more with the earthy roots of perfume and the effect real plants have on our bodies. I didn’t know that Juniper Ridge is not just all-natural, but entirely scented from botanicals they harvest themselves — such an inspiration to those interested in making natural perfume! I was just in the Adirondacks, and those northern forests are magical… earth, moss, roots, cool air, and balsam fir… just lung-expanding, mind-expanding olfactory beauty.

    I’d love to try Siskiyou Backpacker’s Cologne.

  • 3thingsuneed says:

    I love Hall’s “i don’t give a sh*t attitude’.. it’s refreshing. he obviously loves the outdoors and has found a way to make a living out of his passion.
    I would like to try the Carutha’s Canyon Backpack’s Cologne, only because of the Desert Cedar extract.. Cedar is great base for fragrances,imo…
    Red River Gorge in central Kentucky could possibly have some interests.. maybe even some old time stills hidden in the hollers..(lol)

  • Lisa R says:

    Cascade Glacier spray is epic (and I still kick myself for not getting some back before they turned into a luxury line). Their products are a very high quality. I am addicted to their white sage and mint tea!

    I never knew they put mushrooms and the like into their scents! I think that is neat!

    I recently went to Breakenridge in CO and would love to see a scent using all of the mountain wild flowers!

    My choice is the Cascade Glacier spray and I am in the US

  • mim says:

    I love Hall’s independent spirit! His whole approach is deeply appealing, it’s the kind of life I daydream about sometimes…glad I’m going camping soon. I especially liked:
    “Real place-based fragrance—the kind that comes from plants, trees, moss, and bark—rearranges your insides, wakes up this dormant part of your primitive nature, transports you to the stillness of the outdoors, and in general does complex shit to us that we’ll never understand.”

    USA, fb liked, would choose Siskiyou cologne.

  • Igor Kipnis says:

    It grabbed me by surprise on the originality or perhaps re-introduction of perfume production of erstwhile. Its really interesting that its 100% natural from what they find out at certain aspects and then produce the oils in old fashioned way. Good!

    I would be interested in Cascade Glacier Cabin Spray

    US

  • Ferris says:

    I am so fascinated by the very fact that he gets and proçesses his own ingredients from nature. No sources stuff from other companies . that really blows my mind. I would love to try Siskiyou backpackers Zcologne. i think it would be very interesting for him to capture the smell of Hawaii using those exotic heady white flowers and coconut. im in the US

  • Liz K says:

    I knew they were natural but had no idea that they actually source the ingredients from the sites that inspire the fragrances. They should come to the Texas Hill Country and sniff around here. I have been longing to try the colognes for some time now and my top pick would be Siskiyou Backpacker’s Cologne. Thank you!

  • Omer m says:

    Creating a fragrance like the old days when perfume was handmade and limited to only those who could afford, but also making as natural as it could be for people to appreciate the beauty of the aroma and place that inspired them, this in whole fascinates me. Their method is simple they harvest what they obtain where they want to get inspiration and distill all naturally which in today’s world simple things are missing from our lives. The creativity and complexity in simple things is more notable than trying hard to make one. The most exhilarating part of the story is that you can never tell these guys make perfume too!
    I would suggest they must go to Indiana Dunes State Park , Chicago and and capture the isolation and unlikeliness of being.
    I want to get Siskiyou Backpackers cologne.
    USA
    Thanks

  • Ginny M says:

    “Real place-based fragrance rearranges your insides.” What DIDN’T I find interesting about this piece! Fascinating stuff, from the dedication to being SO natural to getting out in the wild to forage virtually everything. Me, I’m such a city girl that I think of camping as something that happens at gunpoint, but I LOVE that he gets out there and walks the walk. I live in the Northwest, but I’d love to see him produce something from the high Rockies and call it “Continental Divide.” I live in the USA and would love to try Caruthers Canyon Backpackers Cologne.

  • JK DeLapp says:

    Great read! Love how he says, “if I want to make something, I put on my boots and go get it!” If only the full natural perfumer’s palette were that accessible…I’d be doing it, myself, too! ha!

    My choice:
    Siskiyou Backpakers Cologne

  • Holly F. says:

    I love Hall Newbegin’s strong connection to nature and am so impressed that they extract all their own fragrances. I’d love to win Siskiyou Backpacker’s cologne and am located in the US.