Benzil is a long-standing Originals CBD customer with over 27 years of cannabis knowledge. He's not a marketer - he's a genuine head. These products were sent by Originals CBD for review purposes, and as always these are his completely honest words. Meet Benzil - The CBD Head Behind Our Strain Review Series
A Quick Note Before We Start
This review is part of a series. Before you read on, it's worth heading back to Part 1 where Benzil explains exactly why he's avoided EU flower for two years - and what finally changed his mind. [Link to Part 1]
Amnesia Haze - Background and Genetics
Amnesia Haze and Super Lemon Haze are arguably two of the most well-known and loved Haze strains - if not Cannabis strains in general - of all time. The CBD dominant version of that legendary strain that Holland became synonymous with during the late 80s, 90s and 00s. Unlike then, this flower is grown both licensed and legally in Switzerland - and it certainly shows.
Coming in at 7.1% Total CBD content, this sits at the lighter end of the Premium EU Indoor range which registers between 7% and 15% Total CBD throughout. Worth knowing before we get into it.
First Impressions - Swallowing My Pride
I have to hold my hands up here. When these arrived I had mixed feelings to say the very least. I genuinely expected to be disappointed - that's the honest truth. But upon opening I could not believe both my eyes and my nose. Not only was I wrong but I have most certainly been missing out for quite some time.
Aroma - Straight Back to the First Time
Cracking open the pack it's just straight back to the first - which you will never, ever forget - time that you encountered Amnesia Haze. Bright, clean, fresh to the point of sharpness. Invigorating, old school, straight up Haze aroma. Citral, zesty with that earthy fuel background that we tend to call gas these days.
Appearance - Some of the Best Looking Indoor CBD Flower I've Ever Seen
I am not exaggerating but this is some of the very best looking Indoor CBD flower that I have ever seen. In fact it puts some US Indoor I've had over the years from some vendors to shame. It really is beautiful, excellently grown bud that you can just tell has been loved from start to finish.
But for me it is how this flower has been manicured, dried and cured where it really stands out. I had a nagging suspicion though - we've all been there - that although this flower looked near on perfect and smelled close to it, it could well still taste rough as a badger's behind.
Taste - Where the Real Surprise Happened
The Curing Story
This Swiss grown flower is different. I would hazard a guess that the source has not only invested significantly in cultivating their flower but also made significant investment into the absolute optimum drying and curing process too. I don't think I can overstate just how much that process ultimately means for the consumer's final experience.
No More Ashtray, Dead, Grassy EU Flower
There is none of that ashtray, dead, grassy, hempy, musty, stale taste that had been my experience previously with EU flower. This Amnesia Haze tastes fresh and flavourful throughout. Nice, clean and terpy with zesty citrus notes and an earthy pine background. Any grower of cannabis will taste that this flower has been flushed correctly over the most optimum time period, then cut and handled with the utmost care from the first cut to the final cure.
This strain will never replicate that old school legendary Type 1 Amnesia Haze - I'll say that right now, for reasons so diverse I'd need all day to explain them. But a CBD dominant equivalent? I will take this all day long.
Effects - Classic Sativa, Perfectly Suited to Daytime
As you would expect with a strain such as this the effects are classic Sativa - energising, euphoric, stimulating, almost inspirational. You're able to focus on your focusing if that makes sense? Perfect getting-stuff-done flower. A clear-headed glow that leaves you both tuned in to your immediate surroundings and content with them.
A Note on Sativa Sensitivity
One thing worth mentioning - and I've touched on this in previous reviews - is that some Sativa CBD strains can make me slightly anxious upon consumption. Consuming their Type 1 counterpart is the equivalent of a white-knuckle ride through outer space. This Amnesia Haze? None of that. Just clean, clear, settled Sativa energy.
If anything, a genuine and credible CBD dominant Sativa may well be far more desirable than its Type 1 counterpart for many consumers out there. And this Amnesia Haze makes a strong case for that.
On the CBD Percentage
The 7.1% Total CBD content suited me quite nicely here. This is perfect flower for daytime consumption - which is mainly when I chose to consume it. However if total CBD strength is a priority of yours, this range may not be for you. Similarly, consumers who have become used to the effects of US flower may find this somewhat lacking in that department. But considering the aim of this whole endeavour was to find a viable alternative to US flower - this mission is already a success with the Amnesia Haze.
Verdict - Humble Pie, Served Cold
No one is more surprised by this conclusion than me. The Amnesia Haze from Originals CBD's Premium EU Indoor range is genuinely impressive. Is it US flower? No. But is it a viable, enjoyable alternative that deserves your time and money? Absolutely yes. I've been sleeping on EU flower at this end of the market and this has woken me right up.
Next up in the series - the Plutonium. An exotic, heavily Indica-dominant hybrid whose lineage stems from Master Kush, OG Kush and Wonderhaze genetics. Stay tuned.
Stay blessed, stay lucky. Until next time. Peace.
- Benzil