The scent I remember the most when I lived in Fort Lauderdale or Liquordale as the locals call it, was Scotch!
I'm on the Western Edge of the Pine Barrens, right before it starts to turn into what passes for Civilization here in SNJ ... the only time I get that far into the area you're describing is when I drive through it going to Atlantic City.
I'm on the western edge as well, in Burlington County. The Pine Barrens scent I'm describing is most obvious to me along Rts 70 and 72 past the circle, and the forest between those two roads.
You must be talking about the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest.
I'm also in Burlington County, specifically Southampton, so we can't be too far apart.