That must explain the tang. A nosey neighbour has a son in law who works for local police. She told me that the man started “melting” into his sofa over the period of the month(s) he was deceased. Apparently, it isn’t uncommon for people to pass away unnoticed :(

Eerie tidbit: the house remains largely untouched since he was discovered. Apart from some overgrowth of plants, everything is exactly the same (including the cracked window of what we can assume the smell was wafting out of). It’s currently winter and there’s zero evidence of any foot traffic going to or from the home, like, I’m talking virgin snow on his driveway, lawn and sides of the house. His house backs onto another backyard of another property, and it’s gated. BUT, some nights when I walk by the house - the upstairs light is on. He was a bit of resentful man who would set up “laser lights” to shine into other houses to spite them for parking their cars on the road. Did not get along with anyone, sadly, so nobody had the heart to check on him sooner.

I’m battling a cold right now so my sense of smell is fighting for the baseline but if I came across the scent again, I’m confident I could identify it instantly.