The Loudest Smelling Strains

If people start asking, “What’s that smell?” as soon as you open your package of cannabis, you know what you’re holding is ‘Loud’!' The term, originating out of East Atlanta, describes cannabis that’s so pungent it’s like a block party you can’t ignore. In this case, the blaring beats are the scent of your weed, which the neighbors and their neighbors can ‘hear’ from afar. Cannabis strains like Blue Cheese and G13, GMO are great examples of cannabis that smells so strong it’s hard to conceal.

What Does ‘Loud’ Mean in Cannabis?

For those unfamiliar with the cannabis community, it might be puzzling to hear someone call a plant "loud." You might ask yourself, “Am I deaf because I can't hear anything?” However, in this case, we’re using synesthesia (processing sensory information through an unrelated sense) as a metaphor for a strong weed smell. Other examples include "feeling blue" or "chilling out."When a cannabis strain is "loud," it's in your face and nose, and the smell is inescapable. It permeates your taste buds. A strain that is loud announces itself as soon as you open the container. There's no need to sniff for the terps; they come rushing to you!

Abstrax Tech has even used this language to create its Loud Factor. Its Terplytics system lets them analyze and compare large sums of data to provide scores on aromatic compounds of different cannabis strains. Using it, cannabis users can quantify weed smells based on loudness.

LSD is one of the loudest cannabis strains on this list, inheriting Skunk #1’s signature cannabis smell. But its strong, skunky, and sour smell is as much a punch to the senses as its high. With a THC concentration of 24%, this indica-hybrid will leave you feeling uplifted and happy, with a sense of relaxing euphoria spreading throughout your body.

The skunky perfume of these flowers closely resembles that of Skunk #1, which was the de facto loud strain in the 70s and 80s. Known and loved for its sour and skunky profiles, Skunk #1 was a hit among connoisseurs both in the U.S. and in Holland. It is available in two variants from the ILGM store, photoperiod and autoflower.

You can also try our other skunk #1 hybrids, such as Master Kush, Super Skunk, and Super Silver Haze. 

Few speak louder than Sour Diesel, a smell that travels quickly through the air and hits your nostrils. The name alone is striking and tells you everything you need to know about this sativa-hybrid. But while you can expect it to have strong, gassy, and citrusy notes, it also has the pungent stink of skunk that resembles Super Skunk. This is no surprise since it is one of Sour Diesel’s parents (along with Chemdawg).

Expect a strong, energizing head high from smoking the flowers of Sour Diesel because of its high THC concentration of 22%. Sour Diesel is a popular strain for both grower enthusiasts as with cannabis users. Due to its popularity it is available in photoperiod and autoflower versions.

Chemdawg is a well-balanced hybrid strain discovered by Gregory “Chemdog” Krzanowski at a Grateful Dead Concert. It grew to be as loud as that fateful concert, maybe even louder, since we’re able to enjoy echoes of it through legendary “remixes” like Sour Diesel and OG Kush.

If you love the chemical gasoline aroma of those two weed strains, you’ll definitely appreciate Chemdawg’s loudness. Its chemical and diesel notes can be smelled from miles away. It also delivers a potent buzz that leaves you euphoric and energized.

GMO Cookies, also known as GMO, is an indica-hybrid made by crossing Girl Scout Cookies with Chemdawg. This potent cannabis strain has 22-28% THC and a dank aroma profile that combines the smell of chems with a scent reminiscent of garlic.

Most of us think of terpenes when we talk about the aroma and taste of cannabis. However, recent studies have identified other active phytochemicals that contribute to the smell and flavor of cannabis. Volatile sulfur compounds found in weed are said to be a major contributor to strains' chemical, citrus, and savory aromas.

VSCs such as indole and skatole have been identified in cannabis as well as in coffee, beer, and cheese. Skatole specifically is also found in human feces (that’s right, in our poo!), and in cannabis, it’s what helps give weed strains like GMO Cookies their savory garlic notes.

Outside of cannabis, skatole is used as a flavor additive in ice cream and a fixative in perfumes to make their scent ‘stick’ longer. Due to all these amazing flavors and aromas, GMO Cookies is available in photoperiod and even has an autoflower version.

Cheese, originally a Skunk #1 phenotype, is a popular loud marijuana strain in the UK. Many enjoy its savory cheddar aroma. It was even a favorite among the Exodus Collective, which kept cuts of the phenotype to the point that it earned a different name—Exodus Cheese.

One of these Exodus Cheese cuts found its way to Milo Yung, who, with the help of friends and fellow breeders, made a seed version of it available by backcrossing the cut with an Afghan variety.

The Cheese strain is available from ILGM in two variants, the photoperiod one and the quite handy autoflower version!

Another funky-smelling strain is Black Widow. Despite being a sativa-hybrid, its dominant aromatic qualities resemble indicas, which are characterized as earthy, musty, and skunky. Conversely, sativa flowers are more known for their sweet, fruity, and spicy aromas. That said, Black Widow does have sour and fruity notes underneath all the skunk. 

This sativa-hybrid also packs quite the punch thanks to THC levels around 25%. So, if you need something to help you unwind, having a few bowls of this sativa-hybrid will help you feel deeply relaxed and euphoric.

Godfather OG is an indica-hybrid known for delivering one of the most potent effects because of its incredibly potent THC concentration of up to 28%, which will have you feeling euphoric and deeply relaxed. This potent strain is also loud, with a funky smell that blends earthy and skunky aromas with the scent of fermented fruits.

To truly bring out its unique flavor profile, grow Godfather OG outdoors in soil. Why? In a recent study comparing the differences between indoor plants grown in artificial substrate vs outdoor plants grown in soil, outdoor plants contained more terpenes and cannabinoids than indoor plants grown in artificial media. 

If you love the taste of diesel, you’ll love this loud sativa-hybrid. Bruce Banner has a strong aroma that blends sweet and earthy notes with gas. Its flavor profile is much the same, with diesel coming in as a strong aftertaste.

This sativa-hybrid is one of the strongest weed strains in terms of effects. It's known for delivering an intense high that will leave you feeling euphoric and happy. This strain’s aroma is noteworthy, but its strong heady buzz earned it its name.

Not only is this strain strong in terms of effects, it's also strong in genetics. ILGM features two variants of this strain, the regular photoperiod version, and the popular autoflower variant!

Crystal is an indica-dominant strain that blends the aroma of pine and fruits with the intense scent of diesel and freshly turned earth. The smell is strong and will linger, similar to the resin that sticks to your fingers when harvesting this strain’s resinous flowers.

Take enough tokes, and you may end up stuck to your couch thanks to its potent flowers boasting up to 21% THC. If you’re looking for a loud strain that packs a relaxing body high, Crystal is the strain for you. 

If you love the garlickiness of GMO Cookies but also want the savoriness of Cheese, look no further than in Cheddar Cheeze. This Phylos strain is an indica-hybrid that combines the funk of garlic with the sharpness of cheddar, making it one of the loudest-smelling strains on this list.

Cheddar Cheeze also has one of our highest THC strains. It has a THC percentage of around 30% and delivers a potent body highs that will leave you feeling euphoric and relaxed. It’s great for those who need to unwind after a long and hard week.