I am working with a piece of English walnut that stinks to high heaven. I've heard this wood termed '!$@! oak', and now I understand completely what they are talking about. I also find the dust irritates the heck out of my throat, so I'm using a mask while I work.
Not all English is the same, the last stock I made smelled like walnuts, and did not bother me at all. American Black walnut is toxic, and i avoid the dust, but it doesn't have the stink this stuff does.
Tom