Extract of sweet herbs with characteristic odour (5)
I believe the answer is:
ether
'characteristic odour' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.
'extract of sweet herbs with' is the wordplay.
'extract of' says the answer is hidden in the clue (I've seen this in other clues).
'ETHER' can be found hidden inside 'sweet herbs with'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ether that I've seen before include "Some were put out by this" , "Rare atmosphere" , "Liquid used as anaesthetic/ solvent" , "Light liquid used as anaesthetic" , "Old anaesthetic -- three (anag)" .)