Exodus Cheese: The UK's Punk Rock Legend
Exodus Cheese: The UK's Punk Rock Legend
Strain Overview
Type: Hybrid (Sativa/Indica Balanced 50/50 - Skunk #1 Phenotype)
Breeder: The Exodus Collective (Luton, UK) / Originally Sensi Seeds genetics
Lineage: Skunk #1 (A unique, specific phenotype)
Market Status: The "UK Sovereign"; Exodus Cheese (often just called "Cheese" or "The UK Cut") is the most important strain to ever come out of the British Isles. In the late 1980s, a group of squatters and free-party organizers known as the Exodus Collective popped a packet of Sensi Seeds' Skunk #1. They found a mutant. It didn't smell like lemon or pine; it smelled of deep, dank, rotting dairy. They cloned it, passed it around the underground rave scene, and created a legend. It is the mother of all "Cheese" strains (Blue Cheese, Big Buddha Cheese, etc.) and remains the benchmark for pungent cannabis.
THC Content: 16% – 20% (Deceptively Strong)
Dominant Terpenes: Caryophyllene, Limonene, Myrcene, Isovaleric Acid (The "Cheese" compound)
Key Effects: "Headband" Pressure, Social Euphoria, Stoney Relaxation, Giggly Mood
Before the US gave us "Gas" and "Dessert," the UK gave us The Stink.
Exodus Cheese is a botanical anomaly. It is technically just a Skunk #1, but it is a phenotype that expresses a completely unique chemical profile. It defined the smell of the British underground for two decades. It is rough, loud, and unapologetic. If you open a bag of real Exodus Cheese, everyone in the building will know within seconds. It is the punk rock of cannabis strains: unpolished, loud, and iconic.
History and Lineage: The Luton Accident
The story of Exodus Cheese is one of community, not corporate breeding.
The Origin: In the late 80s/early 90s, growers in Luton (north of London) were growing Sensi Seeds' Skunk #1.
The Discovery: One specific plant displayed strange characteristics. It grew like a vine and smelled like old socks and blueberries.
The Collective: The Exodus Collective, a group famous for hosting massive free raves and housing the homeless, secured the clone. They didn't trademark it; they liberated it. They passed clones to anyone in the community who wanted to grow.
The Legacy: Because it was a clone-only strain for so long, "Real Cheese" became a holy grail. Today, breeders have successfully stabilized it in seed form (often by crossing the clone with a male Afghan to "seed" it), but the original clone remains the gold standard.
Terpene Profile: Blue Cheese and Sweaty Socks
This is a "Love it or Hate it" profile. The scientific secret to the smell is likely Isovaleric Acid, a compound found in cheese, sweat, and valerian root.
Dominant Terpenes
Caryophyllene (The Funk): Provides the spicy, peppery kick that tickles the nose.
Limonene (The Sweetness): Buried under the funk is a distinct sweet berry note. This is crucial—without the berry sweetness, it's just Skunk.
Myrcene (The Musk): Anchors the scent with a heavy, damp earthiness.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is instantly recognizable. It smells of sharp cheddar, sour milk, sweaty gym socks, and sweet blueberries. It is a savory, umami bomb.
The Smoke: Thick and creamy. It tastes of toasted cheese, stale fruit, and spicy skunk. It leaves a coating on the tongue that lingers for hours.
Strain Effects: The "Cheese Head"
Exodus Cheese produces a very specific sensation that older smokers will recognize immediately.
The Experience
The Headband: The high starts with a feeling of pressure around the temples and behind the eyes. It feels like wearing a tight hat.
The Social Spark: Despite being an Indica-leaning hybrid, it is incredibly chatty and social. It was the fuel of the UK rave scene for a reason—it lowers inhibitions and makes you want to talk.
The Stone: After the initial euphoria, a warm, fuzzy body stone sets in. It is relaxing but rarely debilitating.
The Giggles: It is famous for inducing fits of laughter. It is a "happy" weed.
Best For: Socializing at pubs/parties, listening to music, stress relief, and stimulating appetite.
Growing Exodus Cheese: The Vine
This is a notoriously difficult plant to manage compared to modern sturdy hybrids. It grows wild.
Growth Structure
The Shape: It does not grow like a Christmas tree; it grows like a Vine. The branches are long, thin, and spindly. They cannot support the weight of the buds.
The Support: You must use stakes, nets, or yoyos. If you don't, the branches will flop onto the floor.
The Stretch: It stretches significantly in flower.
The Smell: CRITICAL WARNING: This is arguably the loudest smelling plant in existence. Carbon filters are not optional; they are a survival necessity. The smell can penetrate walls.
The Yield: Moderate. It produces rock-hard, golf-ball-sized nuggets rather than massive colas.
Grower’s Tip: Exodus Cheese loves to branch out. It is the perfect candidate for SCROG (Screen of Green). Weaving the spindly branches through a net turns its weakness (weak stems) into a strength (massive spread), filling the canopy with rock-hard cheese nuggets.
Final Verdict: The National Treasure
Exodus Cheese is more than just a strain; it is a piece of cultural heritage. It represents a time when cannabis was about sharing clones and partying in fields. While modern US strains chase higher THC percentages, Exodus Cheese remains unmatched in its unique, savory terpene profile. If you want to understand the history of European cannabis, or if you just love weed that smells like a charcuterie board, you have to try the original Cheese.
You should choose Exodus Cheese if:
You love Savory/Funky flavors.
You want a Social/Happy high.
You are a History Buff.
You have excellent Odor Control.
Score: 9.8/10 (The UK Icon)