I think the reason has a physiological basis.<p>The other senses go to the thalamus and then to the cortex<p>Vision - Lateral geniculate nucleus. <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Visual_system#Lateral_geniculate_nucleus" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Visual_system#Lateral_genicula...</a><p>Hearing - Medial geniculate nucleus. <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Auditory_system#Medial_geniculate_nucleus" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Auditory_system#Medial_genicul...</a><p>Taste - Ventra posteromedial nucleus. <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Ventral_posteromedial_nucleus" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Ventral_posteromedial_nucleus</a><p>Touch - Ventral posterior nucleus. <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Ventral_posterior_nucleus" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Ventral_posterior_nucleus</a><p>Smell on the other hand goes first to the olfactory cortex, and is not routed through the thalamus.<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Primary_sensory_areas" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Primary_sensory_areas</a><p>One interesting consequence is how powerful an influence smell can have on us. The olfactory cortex is in the limbic system which is associated with emotion and memory. This might explain why certain smells (like the smell of something your mother used to cook) can instantly bring back memories and emotions.