A capital city (not European) with a distinctive smell (5)

I believe the answer is:

aroma

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'a distinctive smell' is the definition.
(an aroma is a strong smell)

'a capital' is the wordplay.
'capital' becomes 'roma' (Roma is an example).
'a'+'roma'='AROMA'

'city not european with' acts as a link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aroma that I've seen before include "Distinctive smell" , "Spicy fragrance" , "Scent - smell" , "Strong smell" , "Subtle quality" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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