The best perfumes are hard to define. What might be irresistible to one might be a hard no for another. While I love a sweet, gourmand fragrance, my best friend favours a rich, oud scent. Like I say, perfume is totally subjective.
However, there's one somewhat under-the-radar brand that, as a beauty editor, I believe covers all bases when it comes to their scents. That brand is Malin + Goetz. These undeniably cool fragrances are both light and punchy, sweet and rich, and above all, unique. Each perfume focuses on one specific aroma, from the likes of rum or cannabis, and uses different scents to help amplify this.
The minimal branding and monochrome bottles make them the kind of perfumes that you always want in your handbag or out on display. Whenever I see someone spritzing one of these scents, I immediately know that they have good taste. If you're thinking about investing in one, below I've reviewed every single Malin + Goetz perfume, including my top picks that always earn me compliments.
The Best Malin + Goetz Perfumes
- Best Overall: Malin+Goetz Dark Rum
- Best Earthy Perfume: Malin+Goetz Vetiver
- Best Sweet Perfume: Malin+Goetz Strawberry
- Best Warm Perfume: Malin+Goetz Leather
1. Malin+Goetz Dark Rum
Key notes: Bergamot, plum, leather, rum, vanilla, patchouli, amber, milk
First up is my favourite scent from the brand. I don't usually gravitate towards boozy fragrances, as I find that they can be a bit too overpowering, but this particular perfume balances the scent of rum with zesty bergamot to give it a lively edge. It's sweet, syrupy, rich and refreshing all at once.
Hints of plum, leather and vanilla work together to enhance the boozy nature of the fragrance, giving it this alluring element that reminds me of nights spent enjoying many a cocktail in a dimly lit bar. As you can imagine, this is my go-to autumn perfume for date nights.
2. Malin+Goetz Vetiver
Key notes: Bergamot, cardamom, grapefruit peel, celery seed, white iris, amber, vetiver
At this time of year, I often find myself gravitating towards earthy, woody scents. Case in point, Vetiver from Malin + Goetz. This is one of the coolest perfumes from the brand, with a deep, masculine aroma that feels incredibly expensive.
On one hand, this fragrance smells like walking through a forest straight after rain, and on the other hand, like a model off-duty strutting the streets of New York after dark. It's complex, captivating and somehow calming in the best way possible.
3. Malin+Goetz Strawberry
Key notes: Bergamot, strawberry, pink pepper, jasmine, cedarwood, oakmoss, musk, orris root
On the opposite end of the spectrum (I told you this brand was versatile), you have this delightfully youthful perfume. As the name suggests, it focuses on the scent of strawberries, but not in a sickly, strawberry ice cream kind of way. Instead, it's like a strawberry picked straight from its plant, with hints of fresh, green notes throughout.
I feel like this fragrance is the perfect example of how this brand can take a single note and create something wonderfully unique and totally unexpected. It's a beautifully delicate perfume.
4. Malin+Goetz Leather
Key notes: Lotus flower, pepper, clove, leather, orchid, green violet, cedarwood, sandalwood
If you'd have told me six months ago that I'd be wearing a leather perfume on the daily, I would have laughed in your face. If it isn't obvious by now, these are not the sort of scents I usually gravitate towards. At least that's what I thought before I smelled this Malin + Goetz fragrance and realised that leather can actually be incredibly sexy.
Yes, this perfume does have a distinct leathery scent, but it's also warm and spicy thanks to pepper and sandalwood. Spritzing this feels luxurious and intimate, and both my boyfriend and I are hooked. If an Acne leather jacket is the best on the market, this is the fragrance equivalent.
5. Malin+Goetz Bergamot
Key notes: Bergamot, bell pepper, grapefruit, ginger, muguet, cardamom, musk, sandalwood, amberwood
Compared to the other fragrances from the brand, Bergamot offers a distinctly unique experience as a citrus scent. It feels serene and spa-like, with a herbaceous quality that is oddly addictive. Grapefruit and ginger add a revitalising element while musk and sandalwood ground the scent in a comforting embrace.
If I were to gift someone a Malin + Goetz perfume, it would be this one. In fact, I can't think of anyone who wouldn't fall in love with this scent.
6. Malin+Goetz Cannabis
Key notes: Bergamot, black pepper, orange, cannabis accord, cedarwood, patchouli, amber, musk
Perhaps a more divisive scent, Cannabis is not at all what you might expect. Similar to the fragrance above, it has this herbaceous quality to it, but this is quickly met with notes of spicy black pepper and smoky cannabis accord.
It veers on the more masculine side of things, but smells incredibly chic and sexy no matter who is wearing it. If it were a place, it would definitely be a smoky, hazy Parisian bar.
How We Tested
As a beauty editor and a perfume lover, I have tried hundreds of fragrances over the years. I have tested every single Malin + Goetz scent on my own skin to give you my honest opinion on what it smells like, how it settles, and whether it lasts throughout the day. I have worn each fragrance for different occasions, from date nights to days at my desk, and even layered some of the scents to see how they wear together.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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