Question: If "reek" is used as a term to describe something that smells bad, what word of equivalent meaning would describe something that tastes bad?

Answer: 
> 
> “smell” : “***reek***”  
> 
>  “taste” : “***smack***”
> 
> 
> 

There is no one word that works everywhere, but ***smack*** is a perfect replacement in the compound verb *reeks of*:

> 
> Your plan *reeks of* desperation. (*bad-smell metaphor*)  
> 
>  Your plan *smacks of* desperation. (*bad-taste metaphor*)
> 
> 
> 

### Acknowledgements

“[Words related to taste](http://www.lexfn.com/l/lexfn-cuff.cgi?sWord=taste&tWord=&query=show&maxReach=2&Atrg=on&Asyn=on&Agen=on&Aspc=on&Acom=on&Apar=on&Abox=on&Abnx=on&Abbx=on&Abdx=on&Abtr=on&Abak=on)” at Lexical FreeNet
Connected Thesaurus  

“[define smack](https://www.google.com/webhp?q=define%20smack)” at Google  

“[smack of](http://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/smack-of)” at Macmillan Dictionary
**Bite**. Often implies acidity, but works for any strong flavor.

> 
> 3A sharp or pungent flavour. ‘a fresh, lemony bite’
> 
> 
> 

ODO bite: <https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/bite>