The scent of mustard is intensely pungent, sharp, and spicy, often carrying an initial acrid bite that can feel almost volatile. It possesses a distinct 'hot' quality, not in temperature, but in its piercing olfactory sensation. Depending on the source (seed vs. prepared), it can range from earthy, slightly rooty, and subtly sweet (like crushed seeds) to vinegary, metallic, and aggressively sharp (like the condiment). Its texture is perceived as dry and powdery or sometimes oily and biting. Projection is typically strong upon initial application due to its volatile nature, but longevity as a distinct note is often fleeting, positioning it firmly as a top or very transient heart note. It doesn't evolve smoothly but rather bursts forth and then recedes, leaving behind perhaps a faint spicy warmth or a ghost of its initial sharpness.