this invention provides methods and apparatus that enable consumers to experience , prior to purchase , the aroma of a finished product even though the product as sold is unfinished . further , methods and apparatus provide users of a product with a reference aroma that may be employed to determine if the product is suitable for use , while , prior to purchase , consumers can experience a selected aroma of a consumer product that has a plurality of aromas , and the aroma bouquet of a consumer product where a particular aroma in the bouquet has been intensified . among other advantages , this invention enables marketers to employ additional sensual modalities , and particularly the sense of smell , in offering products for sale , and thus permits consumers to make better informed purchasing decisions . a preferred embodiment of a method of the invention includes the steps of characterizing an aroma of a finished state of a consumer product ; synthesizing the aroma , responsive to the characterization ; and associating the synthesized aroma with the consumer product .