Understanding potential cross-cultural sensory differences in the perception of Irish dairy products is important to gain market share, especially in key target areas such as the United States and China. The objectives of this study were to investigate if consumers and sensory panellists in Ireland, United States and China could discern differences in skim milk powder (SMP) produced from different bovine diets (ryegrass [GRS], ryegrass/white clover [CLV], and trial mixed rations [TMR]). The volatile profile of each SMP sample was analyzed by SPME-GCMS. SMP samples were evaluated by Irish (n = 78), American (n = 100) and Chinese (n = 106) consumers using a hedonic sensory acceptance test. Ranking Descriptive analysis was performed using untrained panellists (n = 20) familiar with dairy products in Ireland and China and Spectrum Descriptive analysis was undertaken by a trained American panel (n = 8). Twenty 6 volatile compounds were identified in the SMP samples, with 10 statistically different based on diet. The SMP samples could be discriminated based on their volatile profile with acetoin (3-hydroxy butanone) having the greatest impact. It was most abundant in the SMP produced from TMR and is derived from carbohydrate metabolism. US consumers preferred SMP derived from TMR, and Irish consumers preferred SMP from either GRS or CLV. Chinese consumers perceived SMP samples differently to USA and Irish consumers, but preference was not influenced by diet (GRS, CLV or TMR). Both Irish and Chinese untrained assessors found it difficult to discern differences between SMP produced from either GRS or CLV, but could differentiate SMP produced from TMR. Trained US panellists found significant differences in barny aftertaste, grassy/hay, salty taste, cardboard and sweet aromatic attributes between the samples. This study has shown that bovine diet affects the sensory perception of SMP and that cultural differences in perception exist. These sensory differences result from mainly indirect (rumen metabolism and lipid oxidation) and direct (absorption and inhalation) transfer from the diet into milk and subsequently into the SMP.