January Scent Project Northern Flicker (John Biebel) 2024 + Woodland Anthem Giveaway

 Best January Scent Project perfumes 

 January Scent Project Northern Flicker via the brand

 Deep let us breathe the ripeness and savor of balsam,
Tears that the pines have wept in sorrow sweet.
~ excerpt from Among the Pines by Lucy Maud Montgomery

 John Biebel of January Scent Project

John Biebel of January Scent Project

Artisanal perfumer John Biebel of January Scent Project is one of those polymaths who rarely sleep: self-taught perfumer, fine artist, photographer, musician, writer, editor, and professional user experience designer. In addition, there are his innovative abilities as a cook, overall handyman, indomitable traveler, and lover of languages. John’s considerable gift as a nose nothwithstanding, it is always a joy and privilege to smell whatever he has put his hand to, because it’s bound to be unique. In a world rife with ego, he is the exception: modest, cordial and sincere, you would be hard-pressed not to take a shine to him. When I became aware of his latest composition Northern Flicker, I decided to buy it blind rather than ask him for a sample – because I believe in supporting our artisans.

Best Pine Perfumes

 Ida’s giclée print of Pine Bough from John’s Walden series

John Biebel is a native New Englander: born in Connecticut, he lived in Massachusetts for a long time before moving to Rhode Island. He has been smitten with Walden Pond over the years and has depicted it in all seasons. I mention this because January Scent Project Northern Flicker is a labor of love which reflects his lifelong affection for natural settings. When I learned that he had employed exquisite pine absolutes and other conifers (which were sourced locally in the Americas), I immediately associated these with John’s admiration for the native woodland woodpecker and his Concord rambles. All the moving pieces fit together.

 

Northern Flicker by January Scent Project Ingredients

 January Scent Project Northern Flicker perfume construction via flyer included with the fragrance

Every aspect of Northern Flicker is infused with intention – right down to the designation of aromatic materials. Who else would classify them as a) air notes; b) bird notes; c) needle notes; and d) tree notes – instead of the customary pyramid/triad configuration? Each stage is a movement in a scented symphony. John’s overture echoes the brisk, tonic nature of the great outdoors through his choice of both crisp and mellow mint tones in concert with bergamot and a radiant dash of Hedione: they make the air shimmer with a clarion-bright luminosity. How do we arrive at the bird itself? To evoke the animalic with an eye/nose towards veracity, John has created both feathery and darker musk accords. These he combines with that rarity in perfume – fossilized amber, which is not a blend of vanilla, labdanum and benzoin – nor is it styrax (liquidambar). This format yields a smoky, tarry, leathery oil possessed of dry woody facets which are overlaid with pine and balsam, richly complex in character. A touch of the tropical ginger lily harmonizes, adding just the measured amount of intense sweetness and floralcy for balance. Our flicker foreshadows the forest; it dovetails.

Best Fir Perfumes

 January Scent Project Northern Flicker and fir boughd via the brand

Needles comprise the intense jamminess of conifers; they are balsamic and nigh edible in their allure. Poplar bud absolute contributes its nuances of honey, fruit, and resin – as well as excellent fixative qualities; no wonder Edmond Roudnitska included it in his famous Prunol base. I swoon over balsam fir, and would love to get my nose on his antique absolute; a peppery touch of clove for piquancy, a tangy black currant leaf accord – and our third phase is complete. Finally, the accompanying tree notes are conjured via smoky vetiver, the sweet dry (cedary) warmth of hiba wood, resinous labdanum, tobacco, and a fruity Trat oud from Thailand. The woodland anthem and portrait of the Northern Flicker in its environs is consummate. Northern Flicker is a limited edition eau de parfum which wears like an extrait, with marvelous tenacity. Its naturalism is vibrant and sans pareil; if you crave a sylvan breath of fresh air, it’s a fine choice. Walden. Thoreau. Northern Flicker.

 Ich ging mit Lust durch einen grünen Wald,
Ich hört die Vöglein singen;
Sie sangen so jung, sie sangen so alt,
Die kleinen Waldvögelein im grünen Wald!
Wie gern hört ich sie singen! ~ from Des Knabens Wunderhorn (Gustave Mahler), text attributed to poets Ludwig Achim von Arnim and Clemens Brentano

 (Translation: I went joyfully through the green wood, I heard the little birds sing;

They sang so young, they sang so old,

The little woodland birds in the verdant forest!

How gladly I heard them sing!)

 Air notes: peppermint (US), spearmint (US), Hedione, bergamot;Bird notes: white musk accord, dark musk accord, fossilized amber, ginger lily; Needle notes: Ponderosa pine (US), pine absolute (France), clove, poplar bud absolute, antique balsam for leaf (~ 80 years old), blackcurrant leaf accord; Tree notes: vetiver Java, Japanese cypress (hiba wood), cistus labdanum, tobacco absolute, oud Thailand (Trat region)

 I purchased my own bottle. My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor

 

Limited Edition January Scent Project Northern Flicker

January Scent Project Northern Flicker in box courtesy of the brand

Thanks to the generosity of perfumer John Biebel, we have one bottle of January Scent Project Northern Flicker for one registered ÇaFleureBon reader worldwide (to countries which can receive shipments from the U.S. which excludes Russia and Ukraine). To be eligible please leave a comment on this site with what strikes you about Ida’s review and where you live. Giveaway closes 2/18/2025

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57 comments

  • Interesting limited edition green scent inspired by native birds with peppermint, pine needle and tree notes. Sounds fantastic and naturalistic. Greetings from Bulgaria, EU.

  • I should no better than to be interested in a fragrance by the name alone. As an avid birder, Northern Flickers are a favorite woodpecker. During the warmer months I find them in my backyard looking for insects so I don’t have to go far see these beautiful birds. Ida’s described what sounds like a beautiful green fragrance. It sounds interesting that instead of discussing the fragrance as top, middle, and base notes, he categorizes them as air, bird, needle, and tree notes. I’m curious how this will dry down. USA.

  • What an awesome combination of materials. John is such a thoughtful reviewer, I would be very interested to see how he composes a perfume. It already looks to be a story unfolding. Thank you for your review, Ida, and for supporting independent artisans in perfumery.

    I would love to enter the generous giveaway of Northern Flicker. I live in the USA.

  • I love Biebel’s Dinudisit, which is probably my all-time favorite scent. Ida’s description of Northern Flicker includes so many of the things I love in the earlier fragrance–the use of familiar materials in unfamiliar ways, the connection to nature, the complexity of the composition. I am in the US, in NC.

  • AromaDulce73 says:

    What struck me about the review was the note break down. Air notes, Bird notes, Needle notes and Tree notes. Very creative, not your average pyramid configuration. Definitely interesting in getting my nose on this one.

    Los Angeles Ca, USA

  • I love the concept of tiered notes being broken down into air notes, bird notes, needle notes; and tree notes. It seems like this would be a gorgeous homage to such a beautiful bird. One landed at the top of my apple tree in my yard and sang a little song the other day. I didn’t know what kind of bird it was at the time but now I’m fascinated by the Flickers. I was so intrigued to see this perfume inspired by them and I love the notes. I hope to smell it soon! Thanks for furthering my interest. I’m in the USA. 🙂

  • Needles comprise the intense jamminess of conifers; they are balsamic and nigh edible in their allure. Poplar bud absolute contributes its nuances of honey, fruit, and resin – as well as excellent fixative qualities; no wonder Edmond Roudnitska included it in his famous Prunol base. I swoon over balsam fir, and would love to get my nose on his antique absolute; a peppery touch of clove for piquancy, a tangy black currant leaf accord – and our third phase is complete. Finally, the accompanying tree notes are conjured via smoky vetiver, the sweet dry (cedary) warmth of hiba wood, resinous labdanum, tobacco, and a fruity Trat oud from Thailand. The woodland anthem and portrait of the Northern Flicker in its environs is consummate. Northern Flicker is a limited edition eau de parfum which wears like an extrait, with marvelous tenacity. Its naturalism is vibrant and sans pareil; if you crave a sylvan breath of fresh air, it’s a fine choice. Walden. Thoreau. Northern Flicker. I am intrigued to try this the notes sound great especially bird notes, white musk, dark musk, trat Oud. This sounds like a nature lover’s dream fragrance. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • John has created both feathery and darker musk accords. These he combines with that rarity in perfume – fossilized amber, which is not a blend of vanilla, labdanum and benzoin – nor is it styrax (liquidambar). This format yields a smoky, tarry, leathery oil possessed of dry woody facets which are overlaid with pine and balsam, richly complex in character. A touch of the tropical ginger lily harmonizes, adding just the measured amount of intense sweetness and floralcy for balance. Our flicker foreshadows the forest; it dovetails. A wonderful piece by Ida really fascinated by the fossilised amber yielding a smoky tarry Leathery facets. Thanks a million from the UK

  • Everything about this is superb. The art, concept, how the notes are delineated, the notes themselves, the overall fragrance, the name… you name it! I truly adore this work of art and I hope he considers continuing to create it, if possible. It’s perfectly balanced and is so much more than just *green*. Folks really should try it. I would be completely overjoyed to win the giveaway. I am located in the U.S.

  • Ida’s description of the three phases of the deference and its verdant naturalism are what draws me most. I’m in the U.S.

  • I loved Ida’s inclusion of the poem at the end of the review. Nice to interpret one artistic work through another. In NYC, USA

  • Ida, what a poetic review! The Northern Flicker foreshadows the darker forest by dovetailing/an orchestra of a woodland anthem! John is massively talented and, yes, intentional in creating his exceptional tiny treasures. Everything I’ve tried has left me swooning, pushing my boundaries of experience of fragrance but then validating that risk through my thrilled enjoyment of the scenes he creates with beautiful materials, an inspired map of notes, and a talent for making his vision shine clear and executed without anything unnecessary or mundane. I especially treasured the pepper creation I sampled, Burvuvu, and Vaporocindro. I live in a mostly hot dry area, but my soul, my DNA, longs for the cold fresh air of a verdant forest, a misty shade punctuated by the song of birds. How I would love to win a bottle of Northern Flicker, that I am only missing now because of the limits of my pursestrings. Ida, thank you for supporting this artist.
    I’m in CA, USA-not the forested part 🙁

  • The depth of the review and the mentioning of German Poetry struck me the most. Just beautiful. I am from Germany

  • I’m in the USA and have been so curious to get my nose on this. Growing up with lots of pine trees and woodpeckers on our property where bonfires were a regular happening makes me think this would evoke memories of home.

  • I got a kick out of the fact that there are notes intended to evoke the feeling of a bird! Also, seeing that Josh Beibel is such a scholar-artist and reading in this review that he is fascinated with Walden Pond, I view this perfume as a trandscendentalist ode to the pure beauty of a pine filled landscape. I have good memories associated with the smell of pine needles, basalms and mint, so I feel as though this scent would be a calming and centering sensory experience.

    I’d like to join the bottle giveaway please. I’m in the US. Thank you.

  • rachel wiener says:

    I had no idea Roudnitska used conifers in his prunol base, how fascinating! I had the good fortune of receiving a small sample of this in a swap with someone in the community. I had never tried any of John’s works and I was extremely impressed with it! I love coniferous scents like Fille en Aiguille and Arso and this one has its own unique and transportive qualities. I’d love to have a bottle. I’m also an native New Englander born in CT but now reside in Brooklyn, NY

  • I just recently tried this one, and it is amazing. The blend of mint and evergreen notes is so fresh and cooling, yet it brings with it a coziness that comforts. It’s unlike anything I have tried before, and lasts for hours upon hours (which surprised me as a fresher scent). This easily ranks among the best of John’s work. Best of luck to all. I live in NC, USA.

  • Kensolfactoryodyssey says:

    The thought of birds pines and air interacting and created into a scent sounds sublime.. ida really has made this scent sound intriguing..

  • Ramses Perez says:

    Peppermint is one of those notes you don’t see often in perfumery so when it shows up on a composition, you gravitate towards it. Northern Flicker seems to allude to the feeling of maybe experiencing the northern lights and all the hues/colors you get but in scent form. In the region where this event takes place, it is indeed very forestry and piney so that’s where all the greenness in the fragrance comes from. It’s a deep dive into green and aromatic fragrances but with enough other ingredients to soften the transition. I’m located in the USA.

  • Regis Monkton says:

    This fragrance seems like it has the potential to be one I can love. I like fragrances that include pine needles. I find they can be nuanced in a way I enjoy. January Scent Project Northern Flicker seems like it would have a lot of what I would look for in a piney fragrance, i.e. with all its other notes, and they seem like they’d go well with the pine needles. I would love to finally try something from January Scent Project and “Northern Flicker” sounds ideal for me. I live in the USA.

  • When I heard that John was launching this one, I immediately knew that it was going to resonate with me. And I promise it’s not because I was raised camping in the pine forests of Canada. Okay maybe it was that. LOL Seriously though, another perfumer and I worked on a bespoke in 2023 that included VERY similar notes so naturally I was curious what John had come up with. Especially with a category like “bird notes.” Fascinating. But what intrigued me most besides all the coniferous accents (Ida is right about Prunol btw) is her description of the addition of tropical ginger lily for a measure of floral sweetness. With all the minty aromatics and sappy resins, it seems like a stroke of brilliance, and a wonderful contrast to the smoky vetiver and darker woods. No question that the first three phases speak directly to my soul (I am a sap after all). lol And I can’t be the only one who spots the northern lights in the cap colours? Overjoyed that John decided to tackle the theme of my beloved boreal forests, and it’s clear that they mean just as much to him as they do to all of us naturalist northerners. Happy to see at least one bird singing his praises. lol Props to Ida for a wonderful take! From Canada.

  • Northern Flicker sounds like an artisanal passion project and an unabashed ode to the forests of northeast US. The balsam, cedar and pine notes are expected in a sylvan inspired scent, I’m really interested in that fossilized amber note which introduces a smoky, leathery dimension. It sounds very well done and I adore the presentation. MD, USA

  • Great review Ida. This sounds so beautiful. I’ve heard a lot of great things about Northern Flicker. I love the bird (they peck on my metal fireplace chimney) and the perfumes that I’ve smelled from John. I love how you mentioned modesty because that’s what we need in perfumery. Artistic, yet modest. You nailed it. I’d love a chance to win this one. I’m in the USA, WA.

  • Looking at pics of pine needles before reading this, I just thought and assumed I knew how this smelled. Reading the review, however, really brought this to life. The bird element alone has me reeling. Also the quasi old English label in the bottle and cap coloring. I have been a John Biebel “fan” for awhile now (at least his work in the perfume critic space) and would so very much love the opportunity to smell his art. Please!!! I live in Washington, D.C.

  • I’m a huge fan of John’s work and am eagerly awaiting the rebrand/reopening… I feel very blessed to live in the same state as one of my favorite perfumers! I’ve been of two minds about whether to spring for this one blind after missing the boat on samples; on one hand, I’ve never smelled any of his scents I didn’t like (and most I’ve loved!) but on the other, mint can often feel incongruous on me, and it seems quite prominent here which has given me pause a bit. I’m grateful for Ida’s vivid walkthrough of the composition as it unfolds, which has helped me understand the structure and interplay of elements in a way that really tips the scale for me (as does the tantalizing description of actual amber, which I’ve yet to encounter outside of fanciful perfumery accords!) I’m reminded as well that balsam fir is my favorite conifer note by far, and it sounds just divine here as Ida experiences it. USA-based, and would be delighted to win a bottle!

  • Ida literally took me to a fairytale pixie forest where green pines abound and with that relaxing olfactory notes of mint mixed with the lingering woods and oud, this was definitely the most artistic impression of fresh greens. Hats off from California, USA.

  • Ida, your reviews are always a journey in themselves! The way you paint Northern Flicker as a living, breathing woodland symphony is incredible. I love the idea of structuring notes into air, bird, needle, and tree categories—it feels so immersive. That fossilized amber and 80-year-old balsam fir absolute? Just wow. This one sounds like a must-try for anyone who craves the scent of deep forests and crisp air.
    I am from the EU, Germany

  • This review perfectly captures the essence of Northern Flicker—wild, atmospheric, and deeply evocative. The use of fossilized amber and antique balsam fir absolute makes this fragrance sound like a true piece of art. Can’t wait to experience it myself!

    EU

  • Ida had me at ‘fossilized amber’ and ‘80-year-old balsam for absolute’—what a dream! The way she describes Northern Flicker makes it feel like stepping into a crisp, sunlit forest, surrounded by towering pines and the quiet rustle of wings. John Biebel never ceases to amaze. Definitely adding this to my must-try list

    EU

  • Nice review Ida! What a renaissance man Mr. Biebel is, and to that he is a modest and unpretentious man. As a lover of the scent of pine, his use of pine absolutes and other conifers already won me over. His method of changing the usual pyramid/triad configuration for its division into air, bird, needle and tree notes leaves me more intrigued and/or interested. His opening of crisp mint, bergamot and hedione is fresh and bright, but as I said, my love for pine, terpenic and balsamic, leaves me speechless with the use of Ponderosa pine, pine absolute (France) and poplar bud absolute. Vibrant and with great tenacity. I live in Spain, EU.

  • ericwaynebiscuit says:

    This is such a special giveaway. John’s one of my favorites perfumers. I always appreciate his intention, vision, and artistry. I’ve sampled Northern Flicker, and Ida’s review captures its essence so perfectly. I am usually not so excited for piney coniferous scents, but prior tastes are no match for how some artists transform and express the materials. Would love a chance to explore this scent with a full bottle.

    I’m live in Virginia, USA.

  • Thank you Ida for this review that beautifully captures the artistry and depth of Northern Flicker by John Biebel, painting a vivid olfactory portrait that intertwines scent with nature, poetry, and personal connection. The evocative descriptions, from “air notes” to the “woodland anthem,” make the fragrance feel almost tangible, while the reviewer’s admiration for Biebel’s craftsmanship adds a heartfelt touch. The decision to forego a sample in favor of direct support highlights the importance of artisanal perfumery. Overall, the review is both poetic and insightful, offering a compelling invitation to experience this unique scent. Good luck to all. Warm greetings from Abu Dhabi, UAE 😉

  • This sounds _so_ like my kind of thing. I love the scent profile — I love piney scents and mint scents. And I also love what this fragrance is referencing. I went to college in New England and it’s an area that I might retire to. I love the New England outdoors. I’m also a birder…and flickers were among my favorite birds when I was a kid. In short, I can’t wait to get my nose on this! I’m in Oklahoma, USA. Thanks, as always, for the generous draw.

  • I saw a recommendation for Northern Flicker recently and now I’m even more intrigued by this fragrance, even though John’s compositions are often challenging. (He’s one of my favorite writers about perfumery regardless.) Northern Flicker feels like his take on a Zoologist fragrance; flora, fauna, and setting all captured (“a) air notes; b) bird notes; c) needle notes; and d) tree notes”). I’m particularly intrigued by fossilized amber, a note I’ve loved every time I’ve encountered it, though in very different profiles than this one. The fruity-tangy balsam notes sound wonderful as well. Plus, a wonderful bottle design. I’d love to try this—thanks for the giveway! Great review.

    I’m in the USA.

  • Sherin Thomas says:

    Lovely fragrance…During the warmer months I find them in my backyard looking for insects so I don’t have to go far see these beautiful birds. Ida’s described what sounds like a beautiful green fragrance. From PA,USA

  • “A sylvan breath of fresh air” is exactly how I would describe it. It floats and sways and lifts you up like a breeze. A lovely review for an absolutely gorgeous perfume! Writing from Chicago, USA.

  • I’m a huge fan of January Scent Project and have been coveting Northern Flicker since it was released. John’s fragrances are so unique and a joy to experience. As someone who loves evergreens, coniferous scents, and birds, this fragrance is right up my alley! I’m particularly intrigued by John’s unconventional classification of notes by air, bird, needle, and tree, rather than the traditional fragrance pyramid. The “air” and “needle” notes especially pique my interest. The opening of peppermint, spearmint, and bergamot sounds incredibly refreshing, and I loved Ida’s description of how they “make the air shimmer with a clarion-bright luminosity.” The combination of fossilized amber, musk, and ginger lily seems like it will create a beautiful, feathery effect. And the coniferous needle notes? Ponderosa pine, clove, poplar bud, balsam fir, and blackcurrant are some of my absolute favorites – a fragrance built around those notes alone would be irresistible! The “tree” notes sound like the perfect warm and grounding base.

    Ida, what a beautiful nature poem to conclude your review! Thank you for the excellent review. And thank you, John Biebel, for this incredibly generous giveaway! I would be absolutely thrilled to own a bottle of what I’m sure is a masterpiece. I’m located in the USA.

  • scentmyday.blog says:

    Ida’s review beautifully captures the soul of Northern Flicker, intertwining poetry, nature, and scent in a way that feels immersive. I’m especially struck by how the perfume is framed as a symphony, with “air notes,” “bird notes,” “needle notes,” and “tree notes” creating a harmonious composition. The use of fossilized amber, antique balsam fir, and poplar bud absolute fascinates me—ingredients that seem to evoke both time and place. The connection to Thoreau’s Walden and the imagery of woodland birds make this fragrance feel like a love letter to nature itself.

    I’m located in Poland, Szczecin.

  • Hi again from NYC! Love me some January Scent Project, and LOVE me some Mahler Das Knabe Wunderhorn. Mad props to Ida for drawing that correlation!

  • PetaloDiCera says:

    I’m so curious about the green lightness of this Northern Flicker!
    I love woodlands and crispy fresh air and I would love to have them on my skin.
    Smiles from Italy, EU.

  • I love a good forest. Ida’s review make this sound like an Edenic Forest, the perfect experience of a forest world, with a much different take than those that have gone before. The focus on air and wildlife as well as the trees truly sound like a complete experience. Sounds amazing! January Scent Project is a House that does such interesting things. I live in the US.

  • This sounds wonderful, as does John, I love how he tied the scent to the Northern Flicker, such an interesting start for a scent. It would remind me of nature on days when I am wfh on my computer. Thank you for a wonderful review and such a thoughtful scent and story. I’m in the us

  • This is mesmerizing! One of the most exciting giveaways to enter because I have been dying to try January scent project creations for a very long time now. I barely hear about it from most perfume “influencers” which always bugs me because they all focus on the same brands when gems like this one don’t get the love they deserve! This review was enlightening though with how it described a lot of the notes. Especially the bird notes section when you described the feathery facet and how that was achieved. I’m so used to ambers in perfume being formulated and not being t being something actually ancient, that’s so cool!

    I live in Georgia USA

  • foreverscents says:

    Northern Flicker sounds like a fascinating fragrance, from a fascinating perfumer. All the aspects–the notes– of the fragrance are intriguing, but what John Biebel has created to suggest the bird is beyond fascinating. I love a fragrance that is smokey, tarry, and leathery. I visit New England twice a year, and I always observe the birds and trees. This fragrance certainly captures the beauty of this region’s nature.
    I live in the USA.

  • goknitintheocean says:

    Hi there,

    This is wonderful! Air notes! Wish I could isolate that Hedione sometime. As a native New Englander I respect this attention to our surrounding environment/level of detail. So beautiful, and a loving tribute to the Northern Flicker; thinking how nice it would be to sniff the neck of that lovely bird, but that is impossible in real life! Fragrance creation making the impossible actually imaginable…Thank you to John, and for this giveaway. I live in NYC/USA.

    Deborah

  • I am stricken by word choice. “Our flicker foreshadows the forest; it dovetails” This is a love letter to the Art of fragrance. It is poetry (Intention, movement, symphony, crisp, mellow, shimmer and luminosity) that reminds me of Sivestri: Feather Theme and I have reread article while listening to this piece. There is a grounded buoyancy in what I hope to encounter. I appreciate listening to John’s fragrance reviews and his packaging is divine. I mean look at that CAP! USA

  • Carrie Hardison says:

    I live in the state of Michigan in the US. Ida’s description reminds me of being up north, in the woods, during the winter, after an icy snowfall. I’m not usually a winter/cold weather person but there is something just magical about the feeling that is present after a new snowfall. What strikes me is that her description is spot on and brings back fond memories.

  • Sherin Thomas says:

    It seems like this would be a gorgeous homage to such a beautiful bird. One landed at the top of my apple tree in my yard and sang a little song the other day. I didn’t know what kind of bird it was at the time but now I’m fascinated by the Flickers. From PA,USA