Oh man, did you get that weird burnt vinegar and sulfur mix too? I tried a fermented garlic honey last year that made my whole apartment building smell like a swamp monster's feet. My next door neighbor actually knocked to ask if my sink drain had died. The smell stuck around for like three days no matter how much I aired the place out.
Notice how fermented projects often turn into aroma adventures, for better or worse. In my experience, the smell from things like kimchi or pickles can cling to curtains and carpets for days. @sean_murray, your garlic honey story is a perfect example of that sulfur peak hitting hard. I once made a batch of fermented hot sauce that made my kitchen smell like a locker room, and it took a week of open windows to clear out.
Honestly, those strong smells are part of the charm for me. My kimchi has a pungent kick, but it never sticks around for days. Proper ventilation and sealed containers help a lot. I actually like how the house smells during fermentation, it feels alive. Maybe some batches are just more intense than others.