courtesy of Exaltatum©

I have ever smelled the fruits of a plane (platanus) tree, the inspiration for Exaltatum Riverwalk but understand the need to build an emotional connection with nature and experience the sense of freedom that comes from being outside on these early spring days after being cooped up over a long, cold winter. Sometimes you just need to find the perfect time to fully appreciate a fragrance and while I initially thought Riverwalk was lovely, I am finding a deeper connection as I wear it again months after my first experience.

photo by Rachel©

Exaltatum Riverwalk is one of two 2021 releases by perfumer Eglija Vaitkevice. In my previous review of By Serpentine I was enthralled with its ability to conjure up savory curry dishes commonly found at picnics in the Middle East.  Riverwalk again returns me to the outdoors but much closer to my current home in New England where despite the calendar indicating we should be well ensconced in spring; I find myself having to hunt for signs that winter is finally over.

While  early spring flowers are blooming, and trees are beginning to grow their tiny green buds, brown remains the predominant color of the woods in my backyard.  Still, this is one of my favorite times of the year to hike the trails and paths through the forest where the streams are flowing swiftly from the winter melt and clumps of green poke through in the most unexpected of locations.  Temperatures are at that perfect medium where a light jacket fends off the breeze yet the sun, barely filtered by bare branches, warms your back as you shuffle through the winter worn leaves and fallen debris.

Eglija Vaitkevice courtesy of the perfumer

Exaltatum Riverwalk was inspired by Eglija Vaitkevice’s walk along the Thames. It is the perfect embodiment of early spring and interestingly it doesn’t have the  overtly bright juicy start as you might expect from the notes of citrus and fig leaves. Riverwalk  has a subdued and woody opening with only hints of the fig that is still to ripen on the tree itself.  You feel the awaking of the forest as the fragrance deepens.  Chrysanthemum, which tends to have a more earthy and herbal aroma than other floral notes, is ingeniously utilized by Eglija along with another unexpected green note: Artemisia (wormwood).  This is a note that I have come to adore for the unexpected herbal green it imparts upon a fragrance.  Some of my favorite perfumes include Artemisia such as: Memoir Woman by Amouage, Mousse Illuminee by Rogue Perfumery and Nuit de Bakelite by Naomi Goodsir.  I mention these not because they smell like Riverwalk but, because they all have that vegetal and almost bitter green edginess to them.

Gustav Klimt, The Park, 1911, creative commons license

Again, the effect does not conjure fields of grass or a tree in full summer bloom, Exaltatum Riverwalk is the promise of green yet to come. It is green still hidden under winter chilled dirt and layers of last year’s fallen foliage.  Only the heartiest of herbs and flowers will emerge this time of year and those are what Riverwalk highlights in this unique and elegant scent.

As the hours pass and the sun begins to set behind the distant hills, the chill in the cloudless sky reminds you that winter has not yet completely loosened her grip.  Exaltatum Riverwalk also darkens with the most natural smoky vetiver and hay-like coumarin mingling into, what feels to me, to be a green tobacco aroma.  The overall effect is of coziness and warmth, just as is required on these mid spring nights.

Riverwalk perfectly captures  spring in New England, which must be very similar to London’s Hyde Park where plane trees abound this time of year.  I am delighted to have found the proper season to fully appreciate this perfume

Rachel Watson, Senior Contributor

Exaltatum Riverwalk was created by Eglija Vaitkevice in 2021

Top: Bergamot, Lemon, Fig leaves

Heart: Chrysanthemum, Neroli, Fir balsam, Ylang-ylang, Cedarwood, Artemisia

Base: Oakmoss, Benzoin, Vetiver, Patchouli, Coumarin

Disclaimer: Review is based on a travel spray generously provided by the brand.  My opinions are my own.

photo by Rachel©

Thanks to the generosity of Exaltatum we have a 30 ml bottle of Riverwalk for one registered reader in the US, UK  or EU. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest about Rachel’s review and where you live. Draw closes 5/9/2022

Read more about Exaltatumscents here: Pergola, Divine Dancer,  Osmanthus Noble, Ruby Wood, Mimosa Gold and St. Paul’s

You can sample and purchase the Exaltatum line at Indigo Perfumery in the US and on Exaltatum here.

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