My Friends Obsess Over This Perfume Whenever I Wear It—I'm Finally Ready to Share the Details

One beauty editor shares why this Malin + Goetz perfume is her go-to date-night fragrance during winter.

A collage of junior beauty editor Grace Lindsay holding the Malin + Goetz Dark Rum perfume and a woman wearing an evening outfit including a black blazer and black heeled boots
(Image credit: @mimixn, @gracelindsay__)

We all know that choosing the best perfume can be tricky, especially with numerous Christmas events on the horizon. No matter what time of year, I always tend to lean on those soft, delicate, skin-like scents in the daytime, as I don't want anything too overpowering while I'm sitting at my desk. However, when it comes to winter date nights or festive parties, there's one fragrance that I rely on every single time for non-stop compliments. The perfume in question? Dark Rum by Malin + Goetz.

A woman taking a selfie of her outfit wearing a black blazer, black trousers, black heeled boots and an oversized black clutch bag

(Image credit: @mimixn)

I've already written about my love for this brand, but if I could only ever wear one Malin + Goetz scent, it would have to be this one. So, when my friend texted me asking for my party season perfume recommendations, I told her to buy this fragrance immediately. The minute her order arrived, she had a go at me for not recommending it sooner. That's how addictive it is.

After hearing how much she loved it, I thought it was time to stop gatekeeping and share a full review with you guys, too. Below, you'll find all the reasons why I can't get enough of this particular perfume. If you're looking for a new scent this season, I highly recommend that you keep on scrolling.

Malin + Goetz Dark Rum Perfume Review

The Scent

As the name suggests, this is a somewhat boozy scent. However, it's not overpowering in that sense. Instead, it has a sweet, syrupy undertone thanks to notes of rum, vanilla and plum, perfectly balanced with a fresh, zesty opening of bergamot. Amber and milk add a warm, skin-like element, while leather gives that cool-girl edge that lingers all night long.

Junior beauty editor Grace Lindsay holding the Malin + Goetz Dark Rum perfume

(Image credit: @gracelindsay__ for Who What Wear UK)

In my opinion, it contains every single element I'd want from an evening fragrance. It's lively, warm, sweet and musky, and takes you on an olfactory journey as it settles on the skin. It's this complexity that makes it so complement-inducing, which is why I reach for it time and time again.

The Bottle

In true Malin + Goetz style, this perfume wouldn't look out of place perched on top of a coffee table in a stylish West Village apartment. It's minimal and chic, giving you an insight into all the cool-girl, New York energy that's bottled inside. I rarely leave the house in winter without first throwing this into my handbag.

Shop Malin + Goetz Dark Rum

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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.

Grace Lindsay
Junior Beauty Editor

Grace Lindsay is the junior beauty editor at Who What Wear UK. At the age of 18 she decided to train as a makeup artist before going on to study english and media at Goldsmiths University. It was during that time that she explored her love for journalism by interning at a small beauty start-up based in Shoreditch. Since then, she has worked at a number of publications including Marie Claire and Hello!, where her love for all things beauty continued to grow.

As Who What Wear UK's junior beauty editor, she covers everything from the latest hair trends to the stand-out makeup products of the season.