Is it Aroma or Aromatic?

There is often confusion about the term "aromatic" as it can be used as an adjective to describe something with an aroma. However the term in chemistry refers to chemicals with a benzene ring in their structure. You will find it used to describe petroleum refining plants (facilities) so do a search on the web for "aromatic plants" and you are as likely to come up with Shell and Exxon as you are aromatherapy and herbalism.

The whole group of materials that we use in perfumery and flavours are refered to as "aroma chemicals" viz. chemicals with aromas. Some of the aroma chemicals that we use are also aromatic chemicals, that is, they have a benzene ring in their molecular structure.
In natural Jasmin we find Benzyl Acetate,
in Rose, Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol
in Clove, Eugenol
in Cinnamon, Cinnamic Aldehyde and Cinnamates.

Sometimes we hear the term aromatic to describe smells and the expression even forms a group in some classification systems. So what is this aromatic smell? The best way I can describe it is as a very deep heavy smell almost oily that in excess is "perfumey" rather than natural.

In The ABC's of Perfumery "aromatic" is effectively split into several groups;
N-Narcotic (Anthranilates, Shorter chain Benzoates) - heavy sweet narcotic
O-Orchid (Salicylates, Benzoates) - heavy flowery less sweet slightly herb medicinal
P-Phenol (Phenols) - fresher but still heavy medicinal - (and Phenyl Acetate) heavy medicinal plus fruity sour = honey like
(Note: In the groups Q-Balsamic, R-Rose, S-Spice, T-Tar'nSmoke, U-Urine/Animal V-Vanilla many materials have some "aromatic" character which is overtaken by other facets. J-Jasmin has an "aromatic" (narcotic) character too but is so well known that it has its own group)

**Some Aromatic Aroma Chemicals and their odour characteristics.**
Tip to interpret diagrams: Carbon atoms are represented by angles and ends of lines.
The inner circle has the same meaning as the 3 double bonds.
Phenyl	medicinal	Phenol - medicinal
Benzyl	heavy aromatic	Benzene - petroleum
phenyl ethyl	rosy floral	Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol - rosy
Benzoate	sweet aromatic	Methyl Benzoate - Ylang almost fruity, sickly
Salicylate	sweet medicinal (Methyl/Ethyl) then flowery herb/orchid	Amyl Salicylate - Trefle, Orchid, flowery, herb.
Anthranilate	narcotic floral	Methyl Anthranilate - Heavy Orange Blossom, Grape
Cinnamate	spicy - cinnamon	Methyl Cinnamate - fresh spicy
Eugenol	spicy - clove, carnation	Eugenyl Acetate - fresh spicy