Zsunami - Upstate Gardens
I first learned about Upstate Gardens about a year ago when I went to Not Your Average Fest, and it’s been a mystery since then why it’s not more common on import menus. Terpy Dabber now is stocking their Zsunami flower after he started carrying their rosin earlier in the year, and if I’m being real their flower hits with better first impressions than the already exceptional rosin.
Blue Zangria - Tread Lightly Collective
Tread has been growing some really interesting work in the DMV but so far the most intriguing has been the Blue Zangria, which I’ve been following intently since he popped the seeds. The strain is a hybrid of Rainbow Zangria x Blue Lobster released by Cipher Genetics in collaboration with Maine Trees.
Pure Michigan - Shmu the Canna Prophet house curation
The first time I tried Pure Michigan was the Pure Maryland cut from Flowerboy Gardens back in 2021, and at the time I was impressed by it, only to have progressively worse and worse batches over time. The hybrid is Mendobreath x Oreoz, and obviously I’ve pretty actively avoided this strain because I think it’s just not worth it and has no terps. This time though, I’m grateful the Shmu guys hit me with this version because it’s quite good.
Blue Waffles - Nebula Gardenz
I wrote before about the rising stardom of Nebula Gardenz, and probably the strain of theirs I was the most excited for is Blue Waffles. The name it obviously a catch, but beyond that, these terps are really unique, especially for being a bagseed of London Pound Cake 75.
Death Star x Skunk Dog - Funk House Farm
It’s not a secret that I’ve been pretty impressed with Funk House Farms’ work over the last year or so, and being honest I thought that streak might end with Death Star x Skunk Dog because the eye appeal is just not in the same league as Runtz or Black Maple. That is, at least on the outside of the nugs, which if they weren’t large, golf-ball dense and geode-esque on the innards, would be in scrungly territory.
Red Runtz - Untouchable Genetics
Last year I smoked Untouchable Genetics’ Blueberry Donut, and as Terpy often does, he wanted to show me the new batch to show how much the brand has changed since the last batch. Red Runtz is a strain I’ve enjoyed a bunch of times over the years, and after it won what I think was Ego Clash Barcelona 2023, I got a pack of the S1 seeds from Exotic Genetix myself.
Pineapple Whip - Shmu the Canna Prophet house curation
Pineapple Whip has been showing up on a few menus in the DC area over the last six months or so, and since the people absolutely freak over this strain, I never got to try it. Finally, it’s my turn in the queue and immediately I can see why everyone has been snagging this up expeditiously. The nugs are not the best eye appeal, but you can immediately see how resinous it is.
Chem D - Skunkfoot Farms
I’ve gone on record many times saying Chem D is my favorite of the Chemdog line, and it’s batches like this from Skunkfoot that confirm my bias time and time again. A lot of folks might pass up Chem D and its siblings because the whole offering is pretty one note, but I think a lot of folks forget that Chem D is the original one note genetic and in my opinion it does that trope best.
Mumbo Zauce - Heads of State
This is a pretty peculiar review because I’m covering a product from my own grow, but I put a poll on Instagram asking if I should cover my own flowers, and got an overwhelmingly positive response, so I decided to indulge and give it a write up. For those who’ve missed my posting flurry about this strain over the last few months, Mumbo Zauce is a strain I bred by crossing a selection of Highway Runtz, a “white Runtz” bagseed, with pollen from a Gonzo male, Gonzo being GMO x OZK from Bay Area Seed Co.
Z Pie - Gallo Grown x Hushle
If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past two years you’ve probably seen Raw Genetics’ Z Pie on many menus and probably some podiums. Smokey Bodega’s version won gold in the 2024 Billy Awards, and it’s been on the Don Merfos, Last Frontier and Wildflower Cannabis lineups. But Gallo Grown’s version is on a whole other level. To the uninitiated, this flavor is very similar to a lot of other candies, but with a bit more kerosene and lime.
Runtz - Funk House Farm
If you’ve been reading my reviews for a while, since back in the Gentleman Toker days, you know I’ve smoked a LOT of Runtz. Maybe too much Runtz. So it’s safe to say that when a good Runtz passes by my docket, I know what’s up, and lo and behold, this is that guy.
Pineapple Maraschino - Misty’s Melts
It’s no secret I’ve been enjoying any Misty’s Melts flavors I can get my hands on, and I don’t think any have surpassed my expectations as much as Pineapple Maraschino. While I have my speculations on what the hybrid might be, the parentage is unknown, and this is now the second time in the last year Flavor Farming has absolutely wowed me with bagseed genetics, and this is one you really have to taste to understand fully.
Apples & Bananas x Zoap - Topshelf Network
Apple Banana Zoap was originally released as seeds by LIT Farms. In 2025, both of these genetics are out of vogue, but Top Shelf Network certainly found a great selection of this hybrid for their operation. It’s got a bit of the Flintstones’ vitamin terp you’re used to from Apples & Bananas but there’s also a good bit of Tide Pod and sherb bite in the flavor as well.
Cranberry Z - Michelin Terps
Trying award winning hash is always a pleasure, but trying award winning jam diamonds from a brand from Massachusetts, the debut for that state in any of my reviews, has got to be one of the biggest ESPN stat moments I’m publishing yet. Another one from the ADHDDEAD 420 celebrations, Cranberry Z is one that I’ve tried in hyrids a couple of times but this I think is also the first time I’ve tried it on its own.
G.R.E.A.M. - Shmu the Canna Prophet house curation
G.R.E.A.M. is a hybrid of Lil Valley OG and the aforementioned WUG, with the OG seemingly a cut of OG from Washington. It’s similar to things like TK41 or Gushers in that it’s candy over confectionary gas in the aroma and flavor. The nugs are large and dense and the sample came solidly fresh, which translates well to a smooth smoking experience.
Z From the Vault - Helios Hash x ADHDDEAD
ADHDDEAD usually tees up some hype collaborations for his events, but maybe the most impressive one to date both in spectacle and quality is Z From the Vault with Helios Hash. What’s outside the jar from Justin Lovato and myself is barely a preview of how sick the rosin on the inside is
207 Headband - Best Friend Farms
207 Headband by Best Friend Farms has been something of a Maine legend the last couple years, and for whatever reason it’s just completely eluded my headstash. Hash on the Hudson heard my cries for heat and hooked it up with this sample, and it was totally worth the wait.
Chem 91 x TK - Shmu the Canna Prophet house curation
Chem 91 x TK is something gas lovers will salivate over while the odor burns in the nostrils, and the pungency is directly correlated with the outright potency. Even smaller doses of this cultivar is enough for a noticeable head change but regular doses are bound to leave even serious smokers heavy eyed and brain-fried.
Cherry Pomelo - Nebula Gardenz
If this sample is a prime example of the rest of their lineup, then we have a serious situation. Cherry Pomelo seems to be a cut of Cherry Biscotti, which if I remember correctly is LCG x Biscotti, and boy does this stuff stink.
Moonbow - Shmu the Canna Prophet house curation
One major complaint a lot of folks have about original Z is that it doesn’t really have a lot of power and that is clearly not the case with this Moonbow. The potency is punishing and much more sedative than the average Zkittlez. It’s no secret I’m a bonafide Z lover, but generally I’ve found it tough to find affordable Z hybrids, and this checks a lot of those boxes