Hi Ron
I doubt it has a diagnostic value because the amount of cement and size of the project would change the odor strength.
BUT if you have a keen sense of smell it might give you some clues from project to project. My sense of smell is poor so it won't do me much good.:)

ODER! ODER! Arrggh! Cement doen't have an ODER! It has a delicate fragrance...a delightful aroma..not an ODER! I happen to like its ode...er, uh fragrance. In fact, my favorite line from a movie is from "Apocement Now" where the the guy says..."I love the smell of cement in the morning". "Oder" indeed.

Perhaps I should rephrase the question. Does the delicate fragrance of maturing Chateau de Portlando have a diagnostic value?

Chateau de Portlando smells different based on other materials used in the recipe. Such as latex paint or other admixes.
S Type cement smells different than regular. Grey smells diffferent than white.

I only serve the Grey with red meat.:)

Thank you Andromonoecious. Much better. While this may be better addressed by "The Myth Busters"...I believe the answer might actually be...maybe. But only to the most sophiticated and sensitive career "noses". I actually recall an old mason telling me once that he could tell when a bag of Portland had "gone off", as he put it (and was therefore unusable), by the way it smelled. But personally, all that sniffing it has ever done is make me sneeze.

BTW, personally I prefer a nice full-bodied Porto-de Cemento myself. 1957 was a fabulous year.

You guys are the best. Thanks for the advice (and the humor).

Andro