There are shared aromatic molecules between the strain, and ammonia for instance. This is why it smells like ammonia because the plant is producing
terpenes that also exist in ammonia and lend to that smell profile. Sometimes these
terpenes are so prominent and strong that you can’t smell much else underneath, such as RKS skunk as it’s been called. The skunk
terpenes were so strong that people would think they were smelling a skunk and not weed. The only time memories of RKS are triggered for me is when I’m driving and pass an area where a skunk was hit. It was a fantastic strain.
Just like anything in life it’s all about the unique qualities that make it special. If all weed smelled like cat piss it wouldn’t be as special, the one that tasted like lemons would be talked about. But unfortunately the fuels, skunks, piss strains are much rarer now than before, and what IS available always pales in comparison and usually doesn’t even resemble the reference.
. Back in my day, skunk smelled like skunk 
