Origins and Backstory: Typically, I do not like to grow hyped up, “mainstream” cannabis strains (can you say, “pot snob?”). I typically prefer plants that have been bred with intention, purpose, and soul. However, I have been eating my words lately with reviews like Stir Fry. London Pound Cake is actually no different; I was not too keen on growing a clone, but @wondermademedoit pushed this one on me, and I am happy he did. LPC is a cross of Sunset Sherbet and an Unknown Indica from the Cookies family. Most cookie plants have struck me as nice commercial producers with killer bag appeal, but lacking some of the finer traits I enjoy in weed. LPC is an exception—while I cannot vouch for it being pest resistant or a beautiful plant, the finished product is of top-shelf quality for the consumer.
Appearance: This is beautiful weed. Stunningly covered in resin glands, the green flowers have a classic and appetizing look to them. While LPC did not exhibit any interesting coloration, the intense resin production makes up for it. The somewhat-dense buds are classic lime green with wispy pistils coming off in typical fashion.
Aroma: The absolute highlight, the aroma of buds in a jar differs from when they’re broken up, which in turn changes when burned/inhaled. Complex and shifting through the cure, at times the smell leans toward candied lemons, banana runts, or a tropical-flavored sour yogurt, while at others lending itself toward a mineral-heavy, stinky, soft cheese, or even cheetoh powder and stinky feet. I think a jar of the stuff smells like extremely stinky soft cheese, dirty feet, and lemon yogurt. The banana runts flavor and mineral-like notes come out when the buds are broken into. There are notes of lemon and citrus, but it is a sweet lemon candy as opposed to the intense lemon peel funk of OG. I was told the flowers would smell exactly like pound cake—it is far too funky for that in my opinion. However, a friend (who has previously worked as a baker for a large food manufacturer) told me the flower smelled exactly like pound cake dough while being mixed. I have no idea what would account for the funk; it smells extremely cheesy and like old feet to me, while other people I present with the jar can’t stop huffing it.
Flavor: The flavor of the smoke is similar but different from the aroma, and equally as enjoyable. The burned flower is full of fruit aromas, and actually reminds me of milk left in a bowl after eating fruit loops cereal. There is lemon, and maybe orange as well as the sour yogurt flavor, but there are also sweet tones with a hint of tang that remind me of actual sherbet ice cream. The intense fruit flavors give way to the dirty feet/soft cheese funk which lingers on the palate for some time. Diverse, unexpected, and enoyable, the flavor is an experience in itself.
Effects: Similar to Stir Fry, this is a hard-hitting and narcotic indica. This has knocked me out more than once, and a friend mentioned it gave him the nods while driving—a bit scary! This is reliably potent, and I don’t think insomnia would exist if the world had access to London Pound Cake on a regular basis. The effect is warm and while felt immediately, the full effect requires some time to fully manifest. I could see LPC being highly valued for medicinal use. It reliably gives me the munchies, makes me want to sleep, and I imagine is narcotic enough to address moderate-to-intense pain levels as well as problems with mood. I am not sure you’d want to use it for daytime depression though, as you would likely never get anything done, and your depression might get worse—this will kill your motivation as much as it will kill your pain! I do not accomplish much in my days after smoking LPC.
Overall: This is some of the strongest weed I grew in 2020, with the only real contenders for the spot being Gelato 41, Stir Fry, and Limepop Kush x Skyjaro. The aroma is enticing (to say the least), and the flavor is always equally enjoyable. While the plant itself is not particularly interesting to grow, it is vigorous and relatively low maintenance as well as high-yielding, making it easy for me to consider giving it another run. This is an all-around winner, and there are good reasons for the hype behind it. However, because of the almost one-dimensional narcotic stone of the effect, I really only smoke this one for evenings in and for use as a nightcap. As far as recreational and social smoke goes, there are better choices to have on your shelf.