XXX: The Berry Lemonade Sledgehammer
XXX: The Berry Lemonade Sledgehammer
Strain Overview
Type: Sativa-Dominant Hybrid (60% Sativa / 40% Indica)
Breeder: Ethos Genetics (Colin Gordon)
Lineage: Lemon Berry Candy OG x End Game: The Punch Line (End Game #5)
Market Status: The "Nasty" One; XXX is a strain that lives up to its explicit name, but not for the reasons you might think. It was bred to be loud, aggressive, and undeniably potent. It combines the electric, sugary zest of Lemon Berry Candy OG with the rock-hard density and "punch" of the End Game line. It is a commercial powerhouse known for producing massive, resin-greasy colas that smell like synthetic fruit candy and lemon floor cleaner. It is a favorite for growers who want the yield of a Sativa with the bag appeal of a modern Indica.
THC Content: Very High (25% – 30%+)
Dominant Terpenes: Limonene, Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Linalool
Key Effects: Racy Euphoria, "Smacked" Sensation, Creative Energy, Long-Lasting Body Buzz
XXX is an assault on the senses.
It doesn't have the earthy, subtle notes of a Kush. It is sharp, high-pitched, and piercing. It smells of sugary berries, tart lemons, and chemical pineapple. It is a high-energy strain that hits with the force of a sledgehammer, offering a smoke that is as flavorful as it is devastating.
History and Lineage: Sweet Meets Street
This strain is a perfect example of "Structure meets Flavor."
The Mother (Lemon Berry Candy OG): The flavor queen. This parent is famous for its candied lemon and sweet berry terpene profile and its vigorous Sativa growth structure. It provides the "high notes" and the size.
The Father (End Game: The Punch Line): The structure king. As detailed in previous reviews, this parent (Cherry Punch x Ethos Cookies) brings the purple colors, extreme density, and frosty bag appeal.
The Synthesis: XXX takes the massive size and lemon zest of the mother and compacts it just enough with the father's density. The result is a plant that grows huge but fills out with rock-hard buds rather than airy Sativa spears.
Terpene Profile: Synthetic Fruit and Lemon Cleaner
The aroma of XXX is often described as "artificial" in a good way—like candy or cleaning products rather than soil or wood.
Dominant Terpenes
Limonene (The Cleaner): The dominant terpene. It presents as a sharp lemon zest and chemical cleaner aroma. It is incredibly volatile and fills the room instantly.
Myrcene (The Fruit): Adds a layer of sweet cherry and berry that softens the lemon, creating a "Pink Lemonade" vibe.
Caryophyllene (The Gas): Provides a background of spicy fuel that prevents the strain from smelling too much like children's candy.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is loud and pungent. It smells of lemon drops, pineapple candy, gasoline, and floral cleaner.
The Smoke: Sharp and sweet. It tastes of sour lemon candy on the inhale, with a creamy berry gas finish on the exhale.
Strain Effects: The Adult High
XXX is named for its intensity. It is not a strain for the faint of heart or low tolerance users.
The Experience
The Impact: The high hits instantly behind the eyes. It is a disorienting rush of cerebral energy. You feel "smacked."
The Energy: For the first hour, it is racy and energetic. It stimulates conversation and activity, though you may find yourself forgetting what you were saying mid-sentence.
The Euphoria: It induces a strong, giddy happiness. It is a very "fun" high, perfect for parties or high-energy social events.
The Body: Despite the Sativa dominance, the high THC content eventually leads to a heavy body buzz. It doesn't lock you to the couch, but it makes your limbs feel heavy and relaxed.
Best For: Parties, concerts, high-tolerance users, fighting fatigue, and appetite stimulation.
Growing XXX: The Vigorous Monster
This strain is known for its vigor. It wants to grow big and fast.
Growth Structure
The Vigor: Extreme. This plant grows rapidly in the vegetative stage and stretches significantly in flower.
The Yield: Massive. It produces huge, long colas that stack from top to bottom. It is one of the heavier yielders in the Ethos lineup.
The Support: Because the buds get so heavy and the branches are long (Sativa trait), trellising is mandatory. Without support, the branches will snap under the weight of the flowers.
The Trim: Easy. The calyx-to-leaf ratio is excellent. The buds are chunky and easy to manicure.
The Time: It finishes flowering in 9 to 10 weeks.
Grower’s Tip: XXX is a heavy feeder. It loves light and nutrients. Don't be afraid to push the EC (nutrient strength). Also, ensure you have good airflow, as the colas can get very thick and dense.
Similar Strains / Lineage Relations
If you enjoy the profile or growth of XXX, you might also appreciate these three genetically related or similar strains:
Lemon Berry Candy OG: The Mother.
Why: If you love the flavor of XXX but want something slightly more "Sativa" and less heavy on the body, go to the source. It has the same lemon-berry zest but with a airier bud structure and a racier high.
End Game: The Punch Line: The Father.
Why: If you want the density and bag appeal of XXX but prefer a more relaxing, Indica-dominant "evening" smoke, choose the father. It trades the lemon zest for a tart cherry/cookie profile.
Early Lemon Berry: The Cousin.
Why: This shares the "Lemon/Berry" flavor profile but is bred specifically for outdoor speed. If you want the XXX flavor but live in a climate with a short summer, Early Lemon Berry is the better agronomic choice.
Final Verdict: The Berry Lemonade Sledgehammer
XXX is a strain for the sensation seeker. It is loud, proud, and incredibly potent. It takes the mouth-watering lemon-berry profile of its mother and supercharges it with the structural integrity of the End Game line. It is a "Show Stopper" strain that offers huge commercial yields without sacrificing the boutique flavor that connoisseurs demand. If you want a jar that smells like a candy shop and hits like a freight train, X marks the spot.
You should choose XXX if:
You love Lemon/Candy flavors.
You want a High-Energy Social High.
You are a Commercial Grower (Massive Yields).
You have a High Tolerance.
Score: 9.5/10 (The Heavy Hitter)