They were both very stinky, but the blacker one was the only one that survived (we had a moisture filled summer, i barely watered everything). That one smelled like a fish market at its smelly peak! It has since cured to a much more calmer, spicy dish. More black pepper and a little rotting smell. I'll have to try them again since there was a ton of environmental pressures that lead to sub par performance across the board in the backyard.