Like many weed geeks I find myself going back to the same couple of dispensaries over and over, not just because they have the best buds but because the pain of trying something new and it being a total miss just hurts too much.
Sticking to the rivers and streams that you’re used to makes sense, however over time, as your list of favorite breeders grows, you may find yourself needing to expand your dispensary rotation in order to find specific genetics.
Christopher Lynch at Cipher Genetics, formerly of Compound Genetics, is just one such example of someone who breeds strains that resonate with me.
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Unique Flavors From Compound Genetics
While Chris was at Compound it was a nonstop deluge of absolute bangers. From Jet Fuel Gelato to The Menthol to Gastro Pop to Apples and Bananas Pave to Horchata, chances are you’ve probably smoked or at least seen a Compound Genetics strain on menus at some point in your life.
In Oregon, getting my hands on some Compound Genetics required me to venture out to Electric Lettuce, where I was able to scoop up a quarter ounce of Peppermint Agave.
Peppermint Agave presents a unique terpene expression largely thanks to its parent genetics in the crisp, refreshing The Menthol and tempered berry fruit from Acai Gelato.
I haven’t smoked anything from Pruf for a long time, at least a couple of years, largely because I’d settled into a routine of visiting just Oregrown, Somewhere, and Archive for 90% of my flower needs.
Pruf has credit with me though back from when I first visited Portland and picked up some of their Tangie from the (now closed) Serra on 2nd (or was it 3rd?) street. Pruf seems to regularly run Compound Genetics too which is more reason to check them out.
I’m about 70% through my quarter ounce now and have been enjoying this quite a bit as a refreshing (literally with The Menthol) break from the heavier Kushes and GMOs and the diabetes-inducing fruity candy strains I frequently seesaw between.
Appearance: Sticky Green Shrubbery
The buds in the jar from which my quarter was served were all very uniform in the size (medium) and shape (quite short and chonky).
These are those nugs that are just as wide as they are long, like jumbo-sized Dorito 3Ds, but more herbal, although they don’t stick to your fingers quite as well as the fake seasoning powder from Doritos does.
Not to say they aren’t mature, there is just enough trichome length and density to catch the occasional sparkle of light as you thumb these around in your palm.
While Pruf claims this to be “the most trichome-dense flower we have ever seen“, they definitely aren’t the most trichome-dense that I’ve seen.
Maybe it was just this harvest, maybe they got jostled about too much at some point in the supply chain, or perhaps I’m just a picky bitch. I don’t mean it as a knock, just a casual observation.
This isn’t to say they are devoid of trichomes. The coverage looks complete, and the flower well-cultivated. IDK, maybe it was more of a texture thing for me with these not being as sticky as they looked, which may just be an age/storage related issue vs genetic or cultivation.
Primary color expressions with Peppermint Agave include green and more green. They are green machines, and I dig that.
Not a lot of variation outside of pretty conservative smattering of light camel-colored stigma, which brightens the overall hue slightly.
Why I liked the look of these was less to do with the color to be honest, because while unique physical traits like dark purples or crazy long stigma are definitely exciting, there’s also a TON of fantastic cannabis out there (Jack Herer, GG4, etc..) that doesn’t necessarily scream at you from the bag.
The girth and greenness are what actually drew my attention (outside of knowing they were Compound) because they looked they came from a happy healthy plant.
Big inhale through my shnoz and I knew this was the one. While I do have my preferences at this point in my relationship with Mary Jane I’m often just looking for something just a little bit novel.
Smell: Gin & Tonic Levels of Refreshment
Naming any strain “Peppermint” anything is I think a little bit of a stretch, given the powerful association the flavor has in pop culture.
While I have argued before and maintain that most strain names actually make sense are are generally derived from some type of relatable logic, Peppermint in particular is a very unique, very strong scent profile to try to replicate.
Does Peppermint Agave reek of outright peppermint? No, sorry to disappoint but if you’re expecting a little red and white swirly hard candy in bud form, that this is not.
Nobody will be confusing your stash of Peppermint Agave for a pack of Trident or Orbit should you crack it open indoors among laypeople.
That said, there is definitely a “freshness” factor on the nose that reminds me of the juniper and quinine notes that jump out of a freshly mixed gin and tonic, although maybe I should say a reposado and tonic?
The freshness on the nose from Peppermint Agave reminds me of the sensation I get after the first sip of a fresh pint of Von Ebert French Pils, with the lavender play adding a subtle floral complexity that is very welcomed.
The Menthol Brings Unique Terpenes To The Game
I’m pretty sure the almost sparkly effervescence is from The Menthol, one of Peppermint Agave’s parent strains. There is an unmistakable clean nature to this flower that does impart a cold, refreshing experience.
In this context of refreshment, I suppose calling it “peppermint”, while not being a straight-up classical peppermint smell, is still a fair descriptor when compared to other strains.
The fruit and spice from the Acai Gelato blur that freshness into a lighter honey suckle sweetness with it’s own subtly clean characteristics like a freshly brewed cup of jasmine pearl green tea.
Maybe, closing your eyes, smelling a gas monster and then coming right back to Peppermint Agave you might notice a little bit of sweet mint, like those chalky pillow-shaped dessert mints that one grandma always had glass bowls full of or maybe a pack of Mentos?
Continually smelling this Peppermint Agave over the last few weeks reminds me of Pruf’s Five Stars strain I smoked back in 2021 and REALLY enjoyed.
It also jogged some of the same surprised admiration for “the freshness” I remember experiencing after blazing up some exceptional Cold Snap from Focus North Gardens, a strain I really wish they’d bring back..
I’m curious what others think about Peppermint Agave, the smell, the flavor, and whether or not they think there is enough bite from The Menthol to warrant the strain’s name.
For me, Peppermint Agave is cold but classy and reminds me of how the interior of newer luxury German sedans used to smell. It’s “clean” but in an oddly manufactured kind of way, like faint European designer fragrance notes.
If it weren’t for the subtle pine that comes with a dash of dare I say, wintergreen Christmas wreath at the end, this would borderline on “chemy”, like surface those artificially mint scented commercial disinfectant.
No worries though if the word “chem” scares you because the “gas” here is quite tame and more of a biting freshness than an oily fuel that’s going to wrinkle your nose like a hit of wasabi.
If you’re easily overwhelmed by some of the more shouty spice/pepper/fuel terpenes abundant in other sub-genres of cannabis then Peppermint Agave might be for you because it’s definitely bucking the trend when it comes to how it plays with your nostrils.
She’s a straight shooter.
Sensation: Subtle Smoke For Flying Under the Radar
I’m happy to say that Peppermint Agave smokes just as smooth as it smells, with a cool milky inhale and fresh herbal, slightly sweet, exhale.
I’ve recently worked a ball vape and new water pipe into my rotation which has allowed me to maximize flavor (and minimize combustion, as much as I love it).
Peppermint Agave has been a treat to vape. No worries though, if you’re sparking she’ll still treat you kindly.
No, Peppermint Agave doesn’t hit super hard. Nor is it an absolute flavor bomb.
There’s no funky sock or rank cheese to be surprised by. No sharp black pepper bight or cavity-causing candy sweetness.
This is definitely more of a minimalist’s weed than a some new fangled trend-chaser, despite being a relatively recent cross. Neo-classic perhaps?
The Perfect “Get Stuff Done” Strain?
The coolest aspect of blazing up some Peppermint Agave is that it is a SUPER functional smoke. I don’t look high after blazing Peppermint Agave nor do I act noticeably high too.
I’m not saying you should or I would, but I feel like between the relatively calm, clean smell of this herb and the relatively subtle impact, this would make for an exceptional “lunch break” smoke.
It’s hard to tell exactly how you socialize when stoned but I’ve had some pretty long and quite normal feeling conversations under Peppermint Agave’s influence.
That’s probably its most memorable feature for me, the ease of sociability and impressive amount of dialogue I can both send and receive after smoking a fair amount of the ole P-gave.
Cooked some good food. Grooved to some chill tunes. Kind of did all the things I normally do, which was nice because I seem to have a long list of “to-dos” that never gets any shorter.
Peppermint Agave was definitely not the strongest cannabis I’ve ever smoked so if you’re looking for pure strength maybe look elsewhere. Soul Train or Ice Cream Cake would be my recommendations if you’re seeking new flower peaks.
Having a clean smoke that doesn’t set off alarm bells when you open your sack in public and that isn’t too dominant in any specific flavors makes it a very versatile bud for a wide variety of settings and applications.
Similar to an expertly crafted G&T that you can sip all afternoon, Peppermint Agave will play nice with you for hours and hours, letting you quickly and easily “top up” to keep your elevation steady, without ever getting too far out of the cold clear mesosphere.
Summary: P-Gave Is a True Multitaskers Marijuana
I quite liked Peppermint Agave’s sparkling clean nose, its fresh yet mild juniper herbal flavor (especially when ripped through my ball vape/water pipe), and overall mild-mannered demeanor.
If I wanted to get a little lit before heading out for dinner (via Trimet, don’t drive baked folks) I reached for Peppermint Agave. When I was listening to DemystifySci and Chris Lehto discuss the universe and our understanding of reality I reached for Peppermint Agave.
Before I wrote this review I reached for Peppermint Agave and half-way through I reached for it again.
No, it’s not the shoutiest bud in appearance or strength but it does its job well and in a no-fuss fluid fashion. Peppermint Agave is a tool for a job wherein you need to be on top of your shit but for which you wish to relieve a bit of stress.
I would happily return to this strain again in the future not just for its outright flexibility in various applications but because it’s a literal breath of fresh air in a market full of quite shouty personalities, and for that it deserves your consideration.
