As a sommelier working in the Uk, i have seen this done quite often, and
most sommeliers will tell you they dont really know why they do, it just
seems to be a habit. Smelling the cork is rarely an accurate indicator of
TCA contamination. Try opening a bottle of Chtx Cissac, the corks smell
vile, but in 98% of the bottles the wine is perfectly fine. The only
accurate way to tell if the wine is faulty is by nosing and tasting it.

As for me, for some strange reason i occasionally find myself smelling the
cork, without realising it. maybe its genetic. ?!!!

grazz