One of the crucial factors of any cannabis strain is its aroma/flavor. Each strain comes with a particular combination of scents that make it distinct and alluring.
Cannabis lovers often liken the aroma of their favorite cultivars to several enticing scents, such as pine, lemon, and even candy. But some weed variants exhibit rather peculiar, yet uniquely pleasant, aromas reminiscent of skunk, diesel, and soil/dirt. To some, these scents may not appear very appetising, especially when it comes to smoking or vaping a certain strain. Yet it is this very dankness that makes cannabis aficionados go crazy for particular strains.
That then begs an important question: why does cannabis smell the way it does? What factors contribute to a particular aroma? We will briefly answer these questions below, after which we will provide you with a list of our top 10 smelly strains.
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Why Does Marijuana Stink?
If you’ve read enough cannabis descriptions, you’ve likely seen words like skunk, cheese, or diesel used to describe a strain's aroma or flavor. But what gives rise to such unique scents?
There are a couple of suspected culprits. Most researchers attribute a strain’s smell to its terpene profile[1]. Terpenes, of course, are aromatic compounds present in all sorts of plants. Their primary role is to protect the plant from potential predators or stress, yet they also impart the fresh, fruity, and herbal aromas many strains are known for.
But according to recent findings, the skunky, “stinky” cannabis smell could actually be due to the presence of volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs). As explained by researchers[2], while the VSCs in cannabis are “very low”, they still have a “very strong” effect on the overall smell. And that aroma tends to be “very sensitive” to the human nose.
Top 10 Strongest-Smelling Marijuana Strains
Now, let’s dive into our main topic, shall we? Out of all the cultivars in our archive, we picked the 10 dankest, strongest-smelling strains. We’ve also included the specific scents they’re associated with.
1. Blue Cheese: Candy, Cheese, Fruit
The name itself is a bit of a giveaway. Named after what could be the stinkiest cheese around, Blue Cheese came to be from the union of Big Buddha Cheese and Blueberry. If you intend to grow this strain, expect a short flowering time of around 60 to 65 days. Come harvest, you’ll already notice refined notes of berries and cheese. Think of it like a starter dish you’d be served at a restaurant. Large yields of up to 19.4 oz outdoors and 19.4 oz/m² indoors sweeten the deal even further. As the buds cure, the intense fruity yet cheesy scent only intensifies. An indica-dominant hybrid, users enjoy Blue Cheese for the relaxing, almost narcotic effect it brings. That said, you may want to cancel any plans you have after, as this will keep you glued to the couch with enough tokes.
Blue Cheese
Blue Cheese
 | Original Cheese x Oregon Blueberry Blend |
 | 18 to 19 oz/m² |
 | 3 to 5 feet |
 | 8 - 9 weeks |
 | THC: 19% |
 | Sativa 40% Indica 60% |
 | 18 to 19 oz/plant |
 | 5 to 7 feet |
 | Late September |
 | Clear, Physically Relaxing, Stoned |
Buy Blue Cheese
2. Sour Diesel: Citrus, Fruit, Pepper, Herbs, Sour
Likewise, the name of this strain might throw some people off. And indeed, Sour Diesel comes with quite a pungent diesel-like smell. But once you’ve sparked it up, it’s all positive experiences from then on. Connoisseurs of Sour Diesel report feeling energetic, creative, and even more sociable after a few tokes. Holistic cannabis users prefer it for its perceived ability to boost the mood and blast away tension. For growers, Sour Diesel requires about 11 weeks of flowering to reach maturity—a little longer than usual. According to experienced cultivators, this strain is best grown outdoors in a drier climate.
Sour Diesel
Sour Diesel
| Original Diesel x (Northern light x Shiva x Hawaiian) |
| 17 to 18 oz/m² |
| 3 to 5 feet |
| 10 - 11 weeks |
| THC: 19% |
| Sativa 70% Indica 30% |
| 19 to 21 oz/plant |
| 5 to 7 feet |
| Late October |
| Clear, Physically Relaxing |
Buy Sour Diesel
3. Kali Dog: Citrus, Diesel, Herbs, Pungent, Skunk
What do you get when you cross the potent Chemdawg with the energising Sour Diesel? You get the stimulating and intensely fragrant Kali Dog, that’s what. First, let’s talk about the aroma and flavor profile. Upon those first whiffs, you’ll immediately notice hints of lemon citrus along with diesel and earth. And upon those first tokes, you’ll also be left with notes of citrus and diesel on your taste buds. Kali Dog has a reputation for its cerebral, uplifting high—perfect for boosting creativity. Cultivating this strain is also a delight; it yields up to 17.6 oz/m² after a reasonable 10 weeks of flowering indoors. Outdoors, you’ll get up to 19.4 oz in mid-October.
Kali Dog
Kali Dog
| Chemdawg x Sour Diesel |
| 16 to 19 oz/m² |
| 3 to 5 feet |
| 8 - 10 weeks |
| THC: 18% |
| Sativa 55% Indica 45% |
| 18 to 19 oz/plant |
| 6 to 7 feet |
| Late October |
| Clear, Uplifting |
Buy Kali Dog
4. Blue Gelato: Earth, Diesel
You can never go wrong merging three flavorful strains like Blueberry, Girl Scout Cookies, and Sunset Sherbet. Such a union led to the birth of the equally delectable Blue Gelato. If you’re a fan of citrusy, earthy flavors and a fruity aroma, you're bound to enjoy this strain. As for the high, expect to feel a sense of bliss and euphoria after the first few tokes. THC levels on this one are around the 15% mark, so you don’t have to worry about getting too stoned. Holistic cannabis users also appreciate this strain, as it allows them to release some tension without losing their ability to stay productive and alert. Another great bonus!
Blue Gelato
Blue Gelato
| Blueberry x Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies x Sunset Sherbert |
| 19 to 21 oz/m² |
| 3 to 4 feet |
| 9 - 10 weeks |
| THC: 23% |
| Sativa 20% Indica 80% |
| 18 to 21 oz/plant |
| 5 to 7 feet |
| October |
| Balanced, Physically Relaxing, Uplifting |
Buy Blue Gelato
5. Skunk XL: Candy, Earth, Fruit, Pine, Skunk
This one’s a classic strain that many herb lovers are fond of. Hailing from superb Colombian, Mexican, and Afghan landraces, our very own Skunk XL has a lot to offer. The name itself is indicative of its aroma—prepare for wave upon wave of pure skunk. As for the flavor, this well-balanced hybrid will leave a pleasantly sweet taste in your mouth. A few puffs of a Skunk XL joint will leave you with a nice head high. Subsequently, a pleasant body high will envelop your entire being. This is ideal if you’re looking for a robust body stone, but not if you’re trying to remain energetic in the immediate future (enough tokes of Skunk XL can send you to couch-lock territory).
Skunk XL
Skunk XL
| Skunk 1 x Afghan |
| 21 to 23 oz/m² |
| 2 to 3 feet |
| 8 - 9 weeks |
| THC: 17% |
| Sativa 50% Indica 50% |
| 22 to 24 oz/plant |
| 5 to 7 feet |
| October |
| Balanced, Clear, Stoned |
Buy Skunk XL
6. Royal AK: Earth, Fruit, Pine, Skunk
Cannabis users with a penchant for pungency will definitely get a kick out of Royal AK. This strain comes with a powerful aromatic combo of berries, diesel, and spice. While it may not sound very enticing to the uninitiated, its unique scent only grows more appealing as time goes on. Taste-wise, Royal AK continues to stand out in an odd but good way. After a few tokes, you’ll recognize hints of sugar backed up with some pine. As for the high, this sativa-dominant hybrid will first hit you with a cerebral buzz, but then you’ll be met with a nice body high that creeps in slowly but surely.
Royal AK
Royal AK
| Columbian, Mexican, Thai & Afghan |
| 18 to 20 oz/m² |
| 3 to 5 feet |
| 8 - 9 weeks |
| THC: 19% |
| Sativa 60% Indica 40% |
| 21 to 23 oz/plant |
| 4 to 6 feet |
| Early October |
| Balanced, Clear, Stoned |
Buy Royal AK
7. Mother Gorilla: Chocolate, Earth, Herbs, Pungent, Skunk, Sour
These days, it’s uncommon to find chocolate in a strain’s flavor profile. Mother Gorilla, however, defies all of that. Indeed, the combo of scents emanating from these buds is rich, decadent, and interesting, to say the least. Give it a few whiffs, and you’ll notice the enticing aromas of chocolate and pine meld and mingle. Once you spark it up and take a few puffs, you’ll be greeted with a nice hint of diesel. Mother Gorilla is very much sativa-dominant, delivering a hearty high fueled by 23% THC and the uplifting, dynamic terpenes that constitute its flavor profile.
Mother Gorilla (Formerly Royal Madre)
Mother Gorilla (Formerly Royal Madre)
| Gorilla Glue 4 x Reina Madre |
| 16 to 19 oz/m² |
| 2 to 3 feet |
| 9 - 10 weeks |
| THC: 23% |
| Sativa 70% Indica 30% |
| 18 to 19 oz/plant |
| 5 to 6 feet |
| Early October |
| Calming, Euphoric |
Buy Mother Gorilla (Formerly Royal Madre)
8. North Thunderf*ck: Citrus, Pine, Pungent, Skunk
Citrus scents are always inviting, especially among cannabis users. This is what the hard-hitting North Thunderf*ck brings to the table, among many other winning traits. Apart from citrus, North Thunderf*ck’s aroma also includes notes of earth and pine that enliven the senses. Flavor-wise, you'll get to enjoy a distinct lemon zing that adds a lot to an already pleasant vibe. In addition to its commanding scent, North Thunderf*ck is also beloved for its high. After a few hits, a strong euphoric sensation is to be expected. And with 23% THC, this one is meant to be taken seriously.
North Thunderf*ck
North Thunderf*ck
| Matanuska Thunderf*ck Bx3 |
| 16 to 19 oz/m² |
| 3 to 4 feet |
| 8 - 9 weeks |
| THC: 22% |
| Sativa 50% Indica 50% |
| 18 to 19 oz/plant |
| 5 to 6 feet |
| Middle of October |
| Euphoric |
Buy North Thunderf*ck
9. Shogun: Citrus, Earth, Pine, Pungent
If ancient Japanese warriors first came to mind upon hearing this strain's name, you’re right on the money. That’s because Shogun was indeed named after those valiant warriors of feudal Japan, specifically after their focus and strength. Shogun’s effects are said to be stimulating enough to boost your attention, making this sativa-dominant strain the perfect daytime companion. And with a THC level of 25%, you can rest assured that the potency on this one won’t disappoint. And, of course, we can’t forget to mention Shogun's strong pine aroma. This comes in tandem with an earthy, sweet flavor that makes for a well-rounded smoke or vape every time.
Shogun
Shogun
| Amnesia Haze x Gorilla Glue 4 |
| 19 to 21 oz/m² |
| 3 to 4 feet |
| 9 - 11 weeks |
| THC: 25% |
| Sativa 70% Indica 30% |
| 23 to 26 oz/plant |
| 5 to 6 feet |
| Late October |
| Calming, Clear, Laughter, Uplifting |
Buy Shogun
10. HulkBerry: Citrus, Fruit, Diesel, Herbs, Pepper
Last but definitely not least, we have the very dank HulkBerry. A slightly sativa-dominant hybrid, it has an interesting aroma of fruit, fuel, and lemon/lime. The taste is equally stimulating, with hints of citrus, diesel, and pepper. Herb lovers who have experienced HulkBerry report feeling a boost in appetite along with a strong sense of peace and well-being. With a massive THC content of around 28%, HulkBerry should be approached with caution, even by veteran smokers. This could prove difficult, however, as each toke tastes better than the next, for a truly indulgent smoke that is best enjoyed in the presence of others.
HulkBerry
HulkBerry
| OG Kush x Strawberry Diesel |
| 14 to 16 oz/m² |
| 3 to 5 feet |
| 9 - 11 weeks |
| THC: 27% |
| Sativa 65% Indica 35% |
| 23 to 25 oz/plant |
| 5 to 7 feet |
| Late September |
| Clear, Uplifting |
Buy HulkBerry
Enjoy These Smelly Strains
Whether or not you’re a fan of pungent cannabis, the strong pong emitted by certain strains has helped to perpetuate cannabis as a connoisseur herb. If you haven’t yet, go ahead and try at least one or two of the strains on this list. At the very least, you’ll get to have a unique experience. Interested in broadening your horizons even further? There are even more strong-smelling strains where these came from, so get looking!
External Resources:
- A chemotaxonomic analysis of cannabinoid variation in Cannabis (Cannabaceae)https://bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
- Why does cannabis smell skunky?https://www.livescience.com
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.