I recently started cleaning up a set of Rogers "Big R" drums that I had stored in a closet for the last 35 or 40 years. When I removed the batter head on one of the toms, I was immediately struck with a sensation that I have not had in the last few decades. The Rogers smell. A very sharp, pungent, but not entirely unpleasant, mix of wood, glue, paint and industrial chemicals (half of which are probably toxic). I've never known any other drum, or anything else for that matter, to have quite the same aroma. I think that it is truly unique. It instantly triggered memories of this and other Rogers sets (ALL of which had the same smell) that I had owned or played years ago.
Most musicians remember the sound, look and / or feel of an instrument, but I will always remember that smell.