Royal Gorilla: The THC Beast
Royal Gorilla: The THC Beast
Strain Overview
Type: Balanced Hybrid (50% Indica / 50% Sativa)
Breeder: Royal Queen Seeds (Based on the original GG4 genetics)
Lineage: Sour Dubb x Chem’s Sis x Chocolate Diesel
Market Status: The "Potency King"; Royal Gorilla is the strain that famously broke the 25% THC barrier for European home growers. Before its arrival, 20% was considered strong. Royal Gorilla laughed at that, regularly testing at 27% and higher. It is the RQS seed version of the legendary American clone-only strain Gorilla Glue #4 (GG4). It is named not just for its ability to "glue" you to the couch, but because the plant produces so much resin that it literally glues trimming scissors shut.
THC Content: Extreme (24% – 30%)
Dominant Terpenes: Caryophyllene, Myrcene, Pinene, Limonene
Key Effects: Hard-Hitting Euphoria, Deep Couch-Lock, Mental "Stupefaction," Physical Heaviness
Royal Gorilla is a brute. It is not a strain for the morning, and it is certainly not a strain for beginners.
When Royal Queen Seeds brought these genetics across the Atlantic, they introduced a level of potency that was previously rare in seed form. It lacks the subtle, fruity nuances of modern dessert strains. Instead, it offers raw, unadulterated power. It smells like a mechanic’s rag soaked in diesel and lemon, and it hits with the force of a freight train.
History and Lineage: The Happy Accident
The origin of Royal Gorilla (and the GG4 lineage) is one of the most famous accidents in cannabis history.
The Accident: The strain was never meant to exist. An American breeder named Joesy Whales was growing Chem’s Sis plants that hermied (produced pollen sacs) due to stress. These sacs accidentally pollinated a Sour Dubb female nearby.
The Trash: Frustrated, Joesy threw the seeds away. But his friend, Mardogg, kept a few and popped them.
The Miracle: Out of those accidental seeds grew four phenotypes. Number 4 was the keeper. It was incredibly resinous, pungent, and strong.
The Name: It was dubbed "Gorilla Glue" because while trimming it, the resin was so sticky it acted like superglue, sticking the growers' fingers together and ruining their scissors. RQS stabilized this clone into seed form as Royal Gorilla.
Terpene Profile: Diesel and Pine
Royal Gorilla has an aggressive, masculine terpene profile. It is devoid of sweet candy notes, leaning heavily into "Funky" territory.
Dominant Terpenes
Caryophyllene (The Fuel): The dominant terpene. It provides a heavy diesel and black pepper aroma that hits the back of the throat.
Myrcene (The Earth): High levels contribute to the musky, damp soil smell and the heavy physical effects.
Pinene (The Sharpness): Adds a biting chemical pine note, similar to industrial cleaner or turpentine.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It smells of gasoline, sour earth, pine, and chocolate.
The Smoke: Thick and heavy. It tastes of diesel fuel, stale coffee, and sour chemicals. It is a savory smoke, not a sweet one.
Strain Effects: The Knockout
This strain is famous for its "One-Two Punch."
The Experience
The Slap: The high hits almost immediately upon exhale. It starts as a massive cerebral rush (the Sativa side). You feel euphoric but slightly disoriented.
The Glue: Very quickly, the effects travel down the neck and into the body. A sensation of extreme heaviness takes over.
The Lock: If you smoke a full joint, you will likely become couch-locked. The "Glue" name is literal; you feel physically unable to leave your seat.
The Hunger: It triggers intense munchies.
The Warning: It can cause temporary anxiety or paranoia in low-tolerance users simply because the onset is so intense.
Best For: High-tolerance veterans, chronic pain management, insomnia, appetite loss, and weekends where you have absolutely nothing to do.
Growing Royal Gorilla: The Resin Factory
For the grower, Royal Gorilla is a visual spectacle.
Growth Structure
The Resin: This is the standout feature. By late flower, the buds, sugar leaves, and even some fan leaves are coated in a thick, white layer of trichomes. It looks like it has been frozen.
The Height: It grows Tall and Lanky. Despite the heavy Indica effects, it grows like a Sativa (inherited from the Diesel/Chem ancestry). It stretches significantly in flower.
The Training: You must train this plant. It responds perfectly to SCROG (Screen of Green). Weaving the branches allows you to control the height and support the buds.
The Yield: Moderate to High. It isn't a massive yielder by weight (like Critical), but the quality of the weight is superior.
The Time: It finishes flowering in 8 to 9 weeks (55–60 days).
Grower’s Tip: Be prepared for harvest day. You will need multiple pairs of scissors and a bottle of rubbing alcohol. The resin will gum up your tools within minutes. Do not throw away the trim—Royal Gorilla makes some of the best hash and rosin on the planet due to its high return rates (often 20%+ returns on extraction).
Final Verdict: The Potency King
Royal Gorilla is a modern legend. It is the strain you grow when you want to impress your friends or when your tolerance has become so high that standard weed doesn't work anymore. It offers a no-nonsense, fuel-flavored experience that ends in deep relaxation and an empty fridge. If you are chasing the highest THC numbers possible, this is the beast you need to tame.
You should choose Royal Gorilla if:
You have High Tolerance.
You make Extracts/Hash (High resin).
You love Diesel/Chem flavors.
You want Potency over Flavor.
Score: 9.8/10 (The THC Heavyweight)