B. Linens Scent

[serano]

Hi

I've done a quick search and couldnt find a definitive topic on this.

How is B linens supposed to smell?  Its a simple question i know, but im assuming that different strains have different scents.

I've found reference to the usual stinky socks, but also to it smelling sweet or fruity.

I have two washed rinds in my cave at the moment, both have developed with wild linens.  They smell distinctly "meaty" and on opening the ripening boxes the meatiness is combined with a strong smell of cooked mushrooms. These are two very pungent cheeses (gruyere style, port du salut)

Yet a store bought tallegio has a much more pleasant sweet, slightly sock-y smell.

Is the smell of linens related to the flavor it imparts?

[Alison]

Hi

Caveat:
I'm only a happy eater of B.Linens cheeses, I don't intentionally add it.
But:
IHMO you are right - when you smell a perfect salami mmm! - that's the socky/dog paw smell. However when a pont l'eveque is left in its "vacuum" plastic for too long (ie supermarket cheese), the washed rind turns a bit more rotten prawn (think day old prawn shells from a fry up). I decided that it was excess humidity that brought it on, and avoid soggy pont l'eveque's.

Regards
Alison