We’ve said it once (Lopez) and we’ll say it again (Aniston): we draw the line at smelling like a celeb.

But we love a whiff of mystery, especially when it’s wafting from Avery Fine Perfumery, which opens today in Mayfair.

The small but airy boutique carries obscure, niche perfume brands tucked amongst hanging plants and bird-inspired decor. Quiz the shopgirls about elegant glass bottles (displayed on a rococo dressing table with avian legs) or try them one by one. If singing birds seem to herald your every step, you’re right: speakers are zoned so you’ll hear woodland, tropical or garden birds depending on where you are in the shop (why not, right?).

Swap your No. 5 for Boise by Profumi del Forte from Tuscany, a more subtle fragrance that mixes lavender with honey and citrus-fresh essences. Or end your search for a signature scent with Amsterdam-based Nasomatto — a cheeky range that includes the sweet, woodsy Absinth and the quirky Hindu Grass, a ’60s-inspired scent we found utterly enchanting. And there goes our ban on patchouli.

Avery Fine Perfumery, 27 Avery Row, W1K 4AY (020 7629 1892 or averylondon.com), £45-£198.

Photo: Courtesy of Avery Fine Perfumery