How do scientists come to a consensus of what a chemical (e.g. a terpene) smells like?

Do they just get a bunch of professional smellers to get in a room and be like “ah yes I’m getting hints of basil, mango, and parsley”

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scooogy · 31-35, MVIP

You can parameterize odors onto the same level as you know of the stuff you're trying to characterize. As to objectivity, I learned that at least three impressions independently according to each other can be considered as objective.