From time to time, we come across a product that is very intriguing and does something that other products don’t do.
The emergence of connoisseur-style smoker packs, multiple samples of different strains that allow the consumer to take part in the selection process of a company is not only a solid idea but one of the most fun interactions one can have with a cannabis company.
With this process, consumers will have a voice in the products and can express directly what it is they are looking for. This also creates some competition within the samples that will award very useful data to the producers.
In Missouri, four of Missouri’s top cannabis brands have collaborated with The Cannabis Cult to offer consumers to experiment, enjoy, and be heard.
The exciting collaboration brings together The Cannabis Cult and cannabis brands VIBE, Vivid, Local Cannabis Co., and Greenlight offering cannabis consumers a truly unique connoisseur experience, allowing consumers an exclusive chance to delve into a curated selection of premium cannabis.
We recently had an opportunity to sample The Cannabis Cult Connoisseur Pack.
Since reviewing cannabis products is one of our many interests at Greenway, we figured we’d dive in and put each sample under our grading system. All samples were rolled into joints and the same papers were used for each sample. Our review was completed blind, the same as consumers who were able to secure one of the limited packs, but we used our scoring system to complete our review. We were given cultivar information after scoring and review were completed.
The 10-point grading system used for scoring is adapted from the grading process involved in most reputable cannabis events. This process requires honing and using all of your five senses to determine how the product you’re trying now stacks up to those of past endeavors.
Along with our review, we’ve included the consumer ratings released by The Cannabis Cult for each cultivar from the pack.
Sample CP1: Strawberry Gary by Vibe
Strawberry Gary | Vibe
Visual Appearance Score 8 – The bud was very tightly compact and frosty. Very visually appealing
Smell/Aroma Score 10 -The smell was unique and fruity. An aroma that reminds me of papaya.
Proper Moisture Content Score 10 -I was Very pleased with the cure of this cultivar. It was the perfect moisture level, sticky but workable.
Initial Flavor Score 10 – The flavor was almost better than the smell and it burst in your mouth with fruit and a little bit of gas on the end.
Flush Score 10 – The flush was well done. The sample had no sign that it contained any residual nutrients and the ashes burned white.
Harshness (lack thereof) Score 10 – This product had very little harshness.
Late Stage Flavor Score 10 – Tasted good all the way through the joint, the berry flavor came out more and more as I got through the joint.
Potency Score 8 – Pretty potent overall, not the punch in the face Gary Payton genetics can sometimes have but was a desirable result.
Effect Score 8 – I felt pretty faded and enjoyed watching comedies laughing like crazy.
Repeat Excitement Score 9 – This is a genetic trait that not only will I try again but it may be my go to choice for the fruity terps.
Total Score 93 | Grade A
Strawberry Gary | Vibe
Sample CP2: Florida Kush by Vivid
Florida Kush | Vivid
Visual Appearance Score 9 – The buds were very frosty and tight but were smaller otherwise would have been awarded a 10.
Smell/Aroma Score 10 – I loved the nose on this and thought from the first crack of the jar it was Florida Kush. Pine-lemon nose with some cake.
Proper Moisture Content Score 10 -This was perfect as I broke it down. Dry enough to break down quickly but moist enough that it stuck to my fingers.
Initial Flavor Score 10 – The flavor hits you right in the mouth and lingers for 10 or so seconds. Very very tasty.
Flush Score 10 – The flush was well done. The sample had no sign that it contained any residual nutrients and the ashes burned white.
Harshness (lack thereof) Score 10 – Rarely is there a cultivar with literally no burn or tingle and this happens to be one of them.
Late Stage Flavor Score 9 – The flavor only wavered slightly as the joint burned but it stayed very very tasty till the end.
Potency Score 9 – Classic Kush punch to the face.
Effect Score 10 – Chill and watch a movie kind of smoke.
Repeat Excitement Score 10 – This cultivar is always a favorite and I reach for it anytime I’m trying to get faded and have a good time.
Total Score 97 | Grade A+
Florida Kush | Vivid
Sample CP3: Ice Cream Cake by Local
Ice Cream Cake | Local
Visual Appearance Score 10 – The buds were very frosty and tight. The bud sizes were medium-large.
Smell/Aroma Score 8 – Although it was funky, it wasn’t the most pungent of the samples but had a very gassy earthy funk.
Proper Moisture Content Score 10 -This was perfect as I broke it down. Dry enough to break down quickly but moist enough that it stuck to my fingers.
Initial Flavor Score 7 – Very gassy flavor but not incredibly pronounced.
Flush Score 10 – The flush was well done. The sample had no sign that it contained any residual nutrients and the ashes burned white.
Harshness (lack thereof) Score 9 – Very little harshness and a desirable smoke.
Late Stage Flavor Score 7 – The flavor started to lessen as I moved through the joint.
Potency Score 10 – Very Strong. I had a hard time finishing the joint.
Effect Score 10 – Hits like a ton of bricks.
Repeat Excitement Score 9 – I really like Ice cream cake and this is an excellent representation. I could see myself snagging some up when I want to get flattened with potency.
Total Score 90 | Grade A-
Ice Cream Cake | Local
Sample CP4: Motor Breath By Greenlight
Motor Breath | Greenlight
Visual Appearance Score 6 – The buds were smaller and leafier than the other samples.
Smell/Aroma Score 8 – Very funky nose to this one fuel with earthy undertones.
Proper Moisture Content Score 10 -This was perfect as I broke it down. Dry enough to break down quickly but moist enough that it stuck to my fingers.
Initial Flavor Score 6 – The flavor was a bit lacking, in part due to the genetic, the terps are not super noticeable.
Flush Score 10 – The flush was well done. The sample had no sign that it contained any residual nutrients and the ashes burned white.
Harshness (lack thereof) Score 8 – a little tingle on the throat.
Late Stage Flavor Score 6 – If a strain doesn’t start the joint with great flavor it tends to fizzle out by the end.
Potency Score 9 – Reasonably strong.
Effect Score 10 – I was a little more energetic after smoking this one.
Repeat Excitement Score 7 – I’m a terp guy. For me to be satisfied by a cultivar I need flavor. This sample didn’t quite deliver on the flavor side although the effect was very enjoyable. These meaty smelling strains tend to fall short of what I’m looking for as a consumer.
Total Score 81 | Grade B-
Motor Breath | Greenlight
After sampling all the cultivars on separate days and reflecting on The Cannabis Cult Connoisseur Pack as a whole, I have come to the conclusion that this sort of pack is brilliant for the market. It allows consumers to try items that they may not have tried and go beyond their perceptions.
This particular pack provided a blind test that was interactive with the consumer allowing them to grade or judge what ended up being some heavy hitters in Missouri’s cannabis industry.
I enjoyed the product as a whole and if I had to grade The Cannabis Cult Connoisseur Pack as a whole, it would be a resounding A+.
These fun innovations and interactions are what make the cannabis industry so enticing.
There is constant growth in consumer understanding and product identification. As an old-school connoisseur myself, I enjoyed this process and I will be on the lookout for the next interactive surprise coming down the pipe from the people at The Cannabis Cult and cultivators like Vivid, Vibe, Local, and Greenlight.
Patrick Waibel is a 3 time US Cannabis Cup Winning cultivator and consultant. Waibel’s experience in craft cultivation and the cannabis market makes him one of the most reputable cannabis reviewers in the industry. The 10-point grading system used to score and evaluate cannabis products aims to remove bias and determine the best qualities of marijuana products.
What do you think?