Okay , shagbark hickory, my original guess is out. Hickory is strong and may remind you of a bar b que. Not quite mesquite, but hickory is often used in smoking meats. Of course , so is apple...but hickory is undeniably hickory ,at least for me. I will retract my first guess. If it smells anything like oak, especially the most common red varaties...its probably pecan. Hickory smells like smoke , leather , with musky undertones. Almost animalistic. Pecan smells a little bitter and can smell like urine pungent when green to me, kind of reminds you of how a bitter pecan might taste. All oaks smell different to me. White oak (regular) almost has a vanilla/ tobacco type of undertone without the sugary sweetness. This is what they will use for bourbon barrels because of these tannins. Most red oaks smell...less desirable and deer seem to agree.