Reviewed by Benzil | Originals CBD Community Reviews
Benzil was sent this product by Originals CBD for review purposes. As always these are his completely honest words. [Meet Benzil - The CBD Head Behind Our Strain Review Series]
The US Indoor Range - and Why It's Already Almost Gone
Recently I was sent a couple of Strains from Originals CBD's exquisite US Indoor range to sample and review. A really comprehensive and diverse range of Strains with something for everyone in the lineup. You've got: Allium OG, Grape Kush, Llama Tonic, Lemon CBG, Paytons Strawberries, Rock Candy and Skunk Jam.
Now, this range has certainly proved extremely popular as the majority of the lineup are unfortunately now out of stock. Personally I think this is due to a couple of factors. Firstly I believe that this is the only US Indoor Flower to have hit our shores this year bar one or two exceptions - an indication of Sean's extensive contact list within the world of CBD and his unwavering commitment to bring us, the consumer, THE very best CBD products from around the world, be that Flower or Hashish. Like I say he is our very own Howard Marks of the CBD World - out there, on the ground and sometimes quite literally in the field, sourcing the very best CBD goodness for UK Heads. Secondly I believe this is down to the sheer quality of the Flower in this range. If you thought, as I did, that Originals CBD's Flow Gardens range was premier top-tier quality - then you're in for a real treat with this latest range, believe me! I also know just how particular and stringent Originals CBD are about the sources they choose to work with. Quite simply: if it doesn't meet their exceptionally high standards then it's not for Originals CBD. End of.
What Is Llama Tonic? Strain Background and Genetics
The two Strains I received are the Allium OG and the Llama Tonic. Considering that I have already sampled the Outdoor variety of Allium OG, I thought I'd crack open the Indoor Llama Tonic - and boy am I glad I did!
According to Originals CBD, Llama Tonic is a specifically selected phenotype, pheno hunted and bred in house by East Fork Cultivators, from a pairing of 78 Llamas and Canna Tsu - comprising an impressive lineage of Harke Tsu, OG-78, Cannatonic and Sour Tsunami heritage. So far so very impressive! This batch was cultivated by a US outfit who have a solid reputation for producing top-tier Indoor Flower.
Aroma - Loud, Sour and Absolutely Sensational
As soon as you open the Mylar you are hit with a beautiful, pungent, strong, sour and tart citrus aroma. An extremely loud, fermenting fruit - almost alcoholic - smell that is very slightly reminiscent of that classic Sour Lifter Strain. It is CBD Strains such as this that demonstrate just how far genetics have come in the CBD World.
Believe me when I say that you could put this Llama Tonic alongside a citrusy Type 1 Strain and you would be extremely hard pushed to tell the difference between the two. Now I know it's become a cliche - the "it's exactly like the real stuff" statement - which I must admit I always take with a healthy pinch of salt when I hear it. But this is your boy Benzil here, I'm not in the business of deception. I'm here to hook the community - ie YOU - up with the very best CBD around. And this Llama Tonic sits easily within that category.
Appearance - Classic, Textbook and an Absolute Joy to Work With
The eighth portion showed a satisfying 3.80 grams on the scales and consisted of two large buds and three medium buds. All in all a sweet deal.
Looks wise? This is some tasty looking Flower. I would go as far to say that this is classic, textbook Flower - light and dark shades of green broken up with an abundance of orange pistils. This reminded me of a bit of old school Orange Bud from back in the day. Dense but with just the right amount of give, it has clearly been cultivated, manicured, dried and cured to absolute perfection, to the very highest of standards - and consequently is an absolute joy to work with.
Upon closer handling it is ever so slightly sticky and when broken up for the grinder that sharp, sour and tart citrus aroma just explodes! This is one potent bit of Flower - it grinds up beautifully releasing yet more of that fermented fruit funk into your surroundings.
Taste - Terpy, Moreish and Absolutely Divine
So how is it tasting? As good as the aroma? Or is this some Flower that's all mouth and no trousers? Well for all you flavour chasers and terp lovers out there - you need to add this to your most wanted list right away!
This Llama Tonic is sweet, succulent and oh so very terpy. Upon first consumption I found this so damn moreish that I just could not put it down and kept returning to it again and again. This Flower is just sheer bliss to consume. If you can imagine some mad scientist took a Swizzels Refreshers Bar and somehow made it into an alcoholic spirit - then I'm sending you down the right track! Please don't be put off by my bizarre, off the wall description as believe me this Flower tastes absolutely gorgeous, its flavour dancing with your taste buds. It just coats all your taste senses with those fermented, sour, tart citrusy terps and tastes absolutely divine from start to finish.
Effects - Quiet the Mind and Exist Entirely in the Moment
Well this one certainly crept up on me and proceeded to catch me a little off guard. I should mention here that these days I am moderately THC sensitive. I can handle consuming infrequent, small amounts - but if I overstep the mark with the amount of THC or the frequency in which I consume it, then I'm likely to experience either an anxiety or panic attack, or worse still a return of all the detrimental Goblin side-effects that led me to quit Type 1 in the first place. Which as you can imagine is certainly not pleasant and definitely not recommended.
But in truth - whether it's because I consumed this outside whereas I usually only indulge at home - this Llama Tonic left me ever so slightly faded. But faded in such a good, nice, pleasant and pleasurable way! I found myself zoning out but at the same time becoming so in tune with my surroundings. I could hear the different calls of Blue Tits, Chiff Chaffs and Green Woodpeckers in the surrounding trees. The deer barking in the distance and a pair of cock Pheasants squabbling in the next field. Balanced, calm, chilled out, content, happy and in a total zen-like state. I had a moment of both clarity and reflection.
This is EXACTLY how I used to feel when I began my Cannabis journey all those years ago - and is the EXACT reason why I've grown to love Type 3/CBD. As I receive all the benefits this wonderful plant has to offer with zero negative side effects. It is THE perfect balance for me and reminds me of that old school flower that I used to consume and love decades ago, before the obsession for stupidly high THC Strains took hold.
Believe me when I say that this Llama Tonic will quieten down your mind, stop those racing thoughts that seem to be such a common symptom in this modern, fast-paced world - and allow you to exist entirely in the moment. Which I don't know about you folks, but is personally so very important to me.
Verdict - My New Number One US Indoor
My final thoughts? This Llama Tonic quite easily excels any US Indoor that I have previously sampled. Appearance, aroma, taste and effects are all just perfect - and the quality for me exceeds that of Flow Gardens. It is THAT good. So good that I find myself saying: who needs Type 1 or THC when CBD Flower is THIS damn good!
As Originals CBD knows, my previous Top 3 US Indoor Strains were: 1 - Fabled, 2 - Yak Butter and 3 - Applesauce from the Flow Gardens range. Well I'm going to go out on a limb here and state that this current range of US Indoor quite easily exceeds the Flow Gardens range. I can't tell you my exact new Top 3 just yet as I haven't tried the current Indoor range in its entirety - but suffice to say there is a new Top 3 list, and the Fabled, Yak Butter and Applesauce have been knocked off their respective perches.
What's Coming Next from Benzil
I have a lot more coming up for my CBD Heads in the near future. I'll be reviewing more of Originals CBD's current US Indoor and Outdoor range, plus their current EU Indoor lineup - which will be the first EU Flower that I've sampled in over two years. After many spirits raised and hopes dashed, will I finally find EU Flower that I'm 100% happy with? Stay tuned to find out!
I'll also be reviewing some of the coveted Goldbar420 range of Hashish, and hopefully some of the other Hashes in the Originals CBD range too. I also plan to do a no-holds barred, long-term review of both the Bubba Kush 59 and Lemon Octane Oils - which I am very much looking forward to as I have never sampled a CBD Oil before. Completely uncharted territory for yours truly.
Well, that's all for now folks.
Stay blessed, stay lucky. Until next time. Peace.
- Benzil