Howie, I really don't notice or mind the smell either.

A few years ago I was really into making and using alky stoves, also using Esbit as a backup. I then tried Esbit for an entire trip and have been using it as my primary fuel source since, if cookfires aren't legal. It's lighter per BTU, no liquids, hotter burns and I find that if I crack it into 4ths, I can supplement the cubes by feeding little twigs into the fire. I've never cared about sooting up my pot, or the fuel smell. I probably smell worse than the Esbit, anyway.