Cat freaking out over smells!

My 5 yr old male tabby is normally a super sweet cat. Sleeps with me and follows me everywhere. His name is 'Romeo'. When I came home from a trip a year ago, I was unpacking my suitcase and he freaked out, growling and swiping at me. I put everything in the garage, washed everything and he calmed down. This has happened a couple other times, as well as once when I  spritzed a perfume sample from a magazine on my wrist. Again, washed my arm, showered and he calms down.

Is this something that happens with some cats?? I've had cats all my life and have never seen this king of behavior. 

yes, unfamiliar smells trigger this, just transfer the scent to your cat. 

My cat Rachel who has gone to Heaven would react with absolute fear if I ever had to open a bottle of rubbing alcohol.  She would run and hide.  I stopped using rubbing alcohol because her reaction  lead me to wonder if the scent was hurting her eyes or nose or lungs.  I could be across the room and she would run away so fast as if she was in harm's way.

My Speedy does not react to any scents like this, but her nose does go into overdrive when I come home from work.  She will sniff and sniff my arms, pants, hair and shoes like she is studying and taking inventory of where I have been all day!