Some perfumes draw inspiration from the world around us, without attempting to smell like anything found in nature. Instead, they explore unusual sensations and materials such as concrete, metal, rubber, gunpowder or heat. These things are not literally added to the perfume. The perfumer uses a combination of aroma molecules to evoke the impression of something familiar in a completely unexpected way.

Abstract fragrances can feel distinctly contemporary, sometimes almost architectural. They can be cold and mineral, smoky and industrial, metallic or strangely warm. Rather than telling you exactly what you’re smelling, they leave some room for interpretation. If traditional perfumes can sometimes be compared to painting a recognisable landscape, then abstract perfumes are more like contemporary art: the sensation comes first, and your brain is then free to decide what it means.