Written by Ad OpsIntroduction to Liquorice Allsortz
Liquorice Allsortz is a boutique cannabis cultivar that leans hard into confectionery nostalgia, echoing the black-licorice-and-pastel candy mix from which it borrows its name. Developed by Mean Beanz, the strain was selected to emphasize a distinctive anise–licorice aromatic thread layered over modern dessert terpenes. For enthusiasts who chase rare flavor expressions, Liquorice Allsortz aims to stand apart from the citrus, gas, and cookie-dominant crowd.
In practice, the cultivar is positioned as a high-potency, terpene-forward hybrid rather than a mild novelty. Expect a dense, resinous flower with an aromatic profile that evolves perceptibly from grind to exhale. Growers value its manageable structure and strong trichome coverage, while consumers often remark on the way its licorice-adjacent notes play off sweet and herbal counterpoints.
Because licorice-like aromatics are relatively uncommon in cannabis, Liquorice Allsortz occupies a niche flavor lane. The result is a cultivar that appeals equally to collectors, extraction artists seeking unique concentrate profiles, and medical users drawn to its potential anti-anxiety and anti-spasmodic properties. In the sections that follow, we detail lineage context, lab-typical cannabinoid and terpene ranges, experiential effects, and a complete, data-driven cultivation plan.
History and Breeder Background
Liquorice Allsortz was bred by Mean Beanz, an independent breeder known among European and UK-facing craft circles for highly aromatic polyhybrids. The brand’s catalog often emphasizes dessert, confection, and nostalgic flavor cues, while pushing resin density for both flower and extraction. Within that portfolio, Liquorice Allsortz is positioned as a flavor-first selection with a distinct old-world herbal twist.
Mean Beanz cultivars frequently originate from multi-generational selections rather than single F1 gimmicks. This approach tends to emphasize trait stacking—aroma intensity, color, and bag appeal—alongside structure suited to tent and small-room environments. Liquorice Allsortz followed this pattern, emphasizing repeatable aroma outcomes and dense inflorescences over unwieldy vigor.
While the breeder has not always publicized full pedigrees across releases, brand communications typically highlight sensory targets and cultivation practicality. As with many boutique projects, the emphasis is on phenotype expression and grower feedback rather than broad-market uniformity. Liquorice Allsortz has thus gained traction as a connoisseur-leaning cut within enthusiast communities that value unusual terpenes.
Genetic Lineage and Inheritance
As of this writing, Mean Beanz has not publicly released a definitive, line-by-line pedigree for Liquorice Allsortz. This is not uncommon with boutique breeders who prefer to protect selections or present flavors as experiences rather than strict genealogies. Without a verified parentage list, the responsible approach is to evaluate the strain by its expressed traits and compare them to known flavor chemotypes.
Licorice-adjacent notes in cannabis often arise without the direct presence of anethole, the dominant compound in true licorice and anise. Instead, they can result from blends of terpenes such as fenchone/fenchol, estragole (methyl chavicol), p-cymene, eucalyptol, and ocimene, sometimes underpinned by terpinolene. That chemical possibility set points toward ancestry that includes terpene-diverse lines, often with landrace-influenced or Haze/Terpinolene branches in the family tree.
From a plant-structure standpoint, Liquorice Allsortz presents as a balanced hybrid with moderate internode spacing, indicating mixed inheritance rather than a pure indica or sativa morphology. The stretch factor during transition typically ranges from 1.6x to 2.2x, suggesting sativa-leaning influence tempered by denser indica bud formation. This phenotypic blend helps deliver the aromatic complexity while retaining manageable stature for controlled environments.
Appearance and Morphology
Liquorice Allsortz tends to form compact, conical to golf-ball nugs with tight calyx stacking, finished by a snowy, high-density trichome layer. In optimized conditions, bracts swell significantly during the final 10–14 days, pushing calyx-to-leaf ratios that favor easy trimming. Anthocyanin expression may appear under cooler night temperatures, often manifesting as deep purples and inky blues across sugar leaves.
Typical internode spacing under 700–850 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ PPFD in veg falls around 3–6 cm, widening slightly to 5–8 cm post-stretch. The canopy responds well to topping and low-stress training, creating a uniform hedge of primary sites without excessive lateral chaos. Fan leaves present as medium-broad with a subtle gloss, suggesting robust cuticular development and above-average transpiration control.
Trichome coverage is a calling card, with mature heads often reaching 90–110 µm in diameter and abundant capitate-stalked glands. This concentration contributes to a pronounced frost and strong bag appeal under neutral white light. Under 3200–3500 K flowering spectra, the cultivar’s resin stands out with a silvery sheen that photographs cleanly and enhances visual marketability.
Aroma and Olfactory Development
The pre-grind nose commonly blends herbal-anise tones with sweet fondant, subtle fennel, and a whisper of eucalyptus. Break the flower, and volatile top notes bloom toward licorice candy, supported by creamy vanilla-sugar cues and a woody spice base. Many users describe a shift from dry-herbal to dessert-like as the bud is fractured, indicating a layered terpene distribution within trichome heads and cap bracts.
During late flower, a room-scale aroma intensifies steadily from week five onward. By day 49–56, the bouquet typically peaks, with terpene output high enough to require enhanced carbon filtration, especially in 2–4 m² tents. Measured subjectively, the strain lands high on odor scale ratings—often 8–9/10 compared to more muted cookie phenos around 6–7/10.
Curing sharpens the licorice axis while rounding green notes, with optimal results seen after 21–35 days at 58–62% relative humidity. Over-curing beyond eight weeks may subdue top notes, pushing the profile darker toward molasses and wood. For aroma preservation, keep storage headspace low and avoid repeated warm–cool cycling, which can strip lighter volatiles.
Flavor and Consumption Characteristics
On inhalation, Liquorice Allsortz delivers a sweet, anise-like entry flanked by creamy confection and gentle herbal bitterness. Mid-palate often reveals a eucalyptus–fennel lift, while the finish trends toward vanilla, p-cymene-like wood, and faint cocoa. The flavor is unusually persistent; multiple users report that the licorice echo lingers for 45–90 seconds post-exhale.
Combustion at lower cherry temperatures (175–200°C at the flower surface) preserves the delicate top notes better than hotter pulls. Vaporization accentuates complexity, with sessions at 175–185°C surfacing brighter herbal facets and 190–200°C releasing sweeter bakery tones. Concentrates, especially live rosin, can skew the profile toward syrupy anise and denser woody spice, reflecting enriched sesquiterpene fractions.
Ash quality, when grown and flushed properly, is typically light gray to near-white, indicating good mineral balance and complete combustion of residuals. Excess nitrogen late in flower can mute licorice brilliance and introduce chlorophyll bite; a timely taper improves flavor clarity. For tasting flights, pair with still water or unsweetened green tea to avoid overshadowing the nuanced herbal sweetness.
Cannabinoid Profile and Potency Metrics
Although publicly verified lab panels for Liquorice Allsortz are limited, its category and breeder pattern suggest a THC-dominant chemotype. For comparable dessert-forward hybrids with intense terpene output, THC commonly ranges from 18–26% by dry weight, with total cannabinoids at 20–28%. CBD is expected to test low at <1.0%, with occasional minor cannabinoid presence (CBG 0.3–1.2%, CBC 0.1–0.6%).
From a dose-response perspective, the strain behaves as a modern high-potency hybrid: small titrations (5–10 mg inhaled THC equivalent) are often sufficient for novice to intermediate users. Experienced consumers may settle in the 15–30 mg inhaled range per session for full flavor and effect expression. Due to terpene synergy, perceived potency may exceed measured THC—a common effect when total terpene content surpasses ~2.0%.
For extracts, expect cannabinoid recovery efficiencies of 65–80% in hydrocarbon systems and 55–70% in solventless workflows, depending on input quality and technique. Resin-rich flowers often press at 18–24% yield in solventless rosin when harvested at optimal ripeness. Because licorice-leaning aromatics skew delicate, low-temperature processing can preserve nuance without sacrificing potency.
Terpene Profile and Volatile Chemistry
Licorice flavor in cannabis is usually an emergent property from multiple volatiles rather than direct anethole dominance. In Liquorice Allsortz, expect a terpene stack anchored by β-caryophyllene (0.3–0.9%), limonene (0.2–0.8%), and myrcene (0.2–0.7%), with meaningful contributions from fenchol/fenchone, ocimene, and p-cymene in the 0.05–0.3% bands. Trace eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) and estragole may appear in sub-0.05% yet exert outsized aromatic influence.
Total terpene content of well-grown flower often lands around 1.5–3.0% by weight in craft conditions, placing this cultivar in the upper third of typical indoor outcomes. The licorice–eucalyptus facets commonly strengthen after a 3–5 week cure as monoterpene oxidation and ester formation re-balance the bouquet. Storage at 15–18°C and 58–62% RH slows terpene loss; at room temperatures above 22°C, volatile depletion rates can double over 60 days.
From a pharmacologic standpoint, β-caryophyllene is a CB2 receptor agonist associated with anti-inflammatory signaling, while limonene and linalool (if present at 0.05–0.2%) correlate with anxiolytic and mood-brightening effects in observational data. Ocimene and eucalyptol can contribute perceived airway openness, although individuals with sensitivity to eucalyptus-like compounds should titrate slowly. The resulting chemotype presents both dessert sweetness and functional herbal lift, rare in a single cultivar.
Experiential Effects and Onset Curve
Liquorice Allsortz commonly opens with a brisk, heady onset within 2–5 minutes of inhalation, accompanied by sensory brightness and light facial pressure. Mood elevation tends to be pronounced but not chaotic, with a creativity window spanning 45–90 minutes for many users. Body effects arrive gradually, delivering a warm, unclenching relaxation without heavy couchlock at moderate doses.
At higher doses, somatic relief becomes more central, and time perception may stretch modestly. Users often report decreased ruminative thought and a gentle narrowing of focus, making the strain workable for hobbies, music, or low-stakes socializing. The comedown is typically clean, with a 120–180 minute total arc in flower and 150–210 minutes in concentrates.
Sensitivity varies: inexperienced users may find 2–3 inhalations sufficient for full effect, while daily consumers might prefer deeper draws to unlock body depth. Co-administration with caffeine can push the experience more cerebral; pairing with a light meal tempers the front-loaded head buzz. Most report minimal next-day grogginess when sessions end several hours before sleep.
Potential Medical Uses and Mechanistic Rationale
While individual results vary, Liquorice Allsortz presents a profile that may support anxiety modulation, pain relief, and muscle relaxation. β-caryophyllene’s CB2 agonism has been implicated in reduced inflammatory signaling, which can complement THC’s analgesic effects. Limonene and linalool, when present, are frequently associated with anxiolytic and anti-stress outcomes in observational studies, potentially explaining user reports of calmer affect.
The gradual, body-forward phase at moderate–higher doses suggests utility for tension-type headaches, neck/shoulder tightness, or low-grade neuropathic discomfort. Additionally, terpenes like eucalyptol and ocimene can subjectively aid perceived airflow, which some patients find helpful during mild congestion; however, evidence is primarily anecdotal, and individuals with respiratory conditions should consult clinicians. The smooth comedown window further suits late afternoon or early evening symptom management without heavy sedation.
For sleep, Liquorice Allsortz is not the deepest sedative at low doses but can aid sleep latency if taken 60–90 minutes before bed at slightly higher amounts. Appetite stimulation is moderate, appearing after the first hour and peaking near the comedown. As with all cannabis-based interventions, medical use should be personalized, tracked with simple symptom scales (0–10), and coordinated with a healthcare provider.
Adverse Effects, Contraindications, and Harm Reduction
Common cannabis side effects apply: dry mouth, dry eyes, and transient tachycardia in sensitive users. At high doses, Liquorice Allsortz may induce short-lived anxiety or racing thoughts, especially in unfamiliar settings. Individuals with a history of panic disorder should start with very small inhaled doses and practice diaphragmatic breathing to modulate onset.
Because licorice-adjacent aromatics can include eucalyptol and estragole in trace amounts, users with sensitivities to eucalyptus or anise should approach cautiously. Those on medications metabolized by CYP3A4/CYP2C9 should be aware that cannabinoids can influence enzyme activity; clinical guidance is recommended for complex regimens. Avoid mixing with alcohol, which increases impairment and may exacerbate hypotension or dizziness.
Driving or operating machinery is unsafe for at least 6–8 hours post-consumption, even if subjective sobriety returns sooner. Hydration, electrolyte balance, and stable blood sugar reduce the likelihood of lightheadedness or headaches. For new users, the “start low, go slow” framework—one or two inhalations followed by a 15–20 minute wait—remains the best harm-reduction practice.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide: Environment and Planning
Liquorice Allsortz performs best indoors or in controlled greenhouses where vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and light intensity can be tuned. Target 24–27°C day and 20–23°C night in veg, shifting to 23–26°C day and 18–21°C night in flower to promote color and resin. Relative humidity should track VPD 0.8–1.2 kPa in veg and 1.2–1.5 kPa in flower, avoiding prolonged leaf wetness.
Light intensity benchmarks: 400–700 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ PPFD in early veg, 700–900 in late veg, and 900–1,200 in mid–late flower, depending on CO₂ availability. With ambient CO₂ (400–500 ppm), cap flowering PPFD near 1,000; with enrichment (800–1,200 ppm), 1,200 is reasonable if heat is controlled. Daylight integral goals (DLI) of 25–35 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ in veg and 35–45 in flower produce dense buds without bleaching.
For media, the cultivar is flexible: living soil, high-quality peat/coco blends, and inert hydroponics can all excel. In soilless/hydro, maintain root-zone pH 5.8–6.1 in veg and 6.0–6.3 in flower; in soil, aim for 6.3–6.7. Airflow is essential—establish 0.3–0.6 m·s⁻¹ gentle canopy movement and 10–20 full air exchanges per hour to minimize microclimates.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide: Germination and Vegetative Growth
Germination rates for modern boutique seeds typically land at 85–95% when handled correctly. Use a 1–2 mm imbibition in distilled water for 12–18 hours, then transition seeds to a sterile starter plug at 24–26°C with 95–100% RH in a humidity dome. Radicles commonly appear within 24–72 hours; transplant to small pots once cotyledons open.
During veg, Liquorice Allsortz appreciates moderate nitrogen with balanced calcium and magnesium. In coco/hydro, EC 1.2–1.6 mS·cm⁻¹ and a 3–1–2 NPK ratio (e.g., 120 ppm N, 40 P, 80 K) works well, with Ca 100–140 ppm and Mg 40–60 ppm. In living soil, top-dress with a balanced organic amendment and maintain consistent soil moisture at 60–70% of water-holding capacity.
Training strategies should begin early: top above the 4th–5th node around day 21–28 from sprout, then spread branches with LST to establish 8–16 main sites in a 60×60 cm footprint. Keep PPFD at 600–800 to prevent elongated internodes, and prune selectively to improve airflow. Expect a 4–6 week veg to fill a 2×2 ft (0.37 m²) area, or 6–8 weeks for a 3×3 ft (0.84 m²) scrog.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide: Training, Canopy Management, and IPM
The cultivar stretches 1.6–2.2x post-flip, so pre-flower canopy control is important. Employ a single or double trellis: one net at 20–25 cm above medium for early spread and a second at 35–45 cm for vertical support. Defoliate lightly at day 21 and again at day 42 of flower to clear lower fans and improve light distribution, but avoid over-stripping to preserve transpiration balance.
Apical dominance is cooperative; topping plus LST typically outperforms aggressive high-stress methods. Lollipop lower 20–30% of the plant to concentrate energy on top sites and reduce popcorn. Maintain uniform branch height to keep PPFD variance under ±10–15% across the canopy, which helps even ripening and terpenoid expression.
Integrated pest management (IPM) should be preventative. Weekly scouting and yellow sticky traps catch early signals of fungus gnats, thrips, or whiteflies. Consider a rotation of biologicals such as Bacillus subtilis and Beauveria bassiana, plus beneficial mites (Amblyseius swirskii/cucumeris) if pressure appears; avoid late-flower foliar sprays to protect resin quality.
Comprehensive Cultivation Guide: Flowering, Nutrition, and Harvest Timing
Flip to 12/12 when the canopy is 60–70% of the desired final footprint to account for stretch. Early flower requires a gentle taper from veg nutrients, shifting to a 1–2–2 NPK emphasis by week 3. In coco/hydro, EC 1.7–2.1 mS·cm⁻¹ from weeks 3–6 is common, tapering to 1.2–1.5 in the final 10–14 days; keep Ca 120–150 ppm and Mg 50–70 ppm stable to prevent mid-flower deficiency.
Maintain 23–26°C daytime and 18–21°C nights for color and density, with RH 45–55% to hold VPD near 1.2–1.4 kPa. Raise PPFD toward 950–1,100 by week 5 for maximal resin, watching leaf temperature and ensuring adequate CO₂. Excess heat (leaf temps >29–30°C) can volatilize delicate monoterpenes and dull the licorice top note.
Flowering duration averages 56–65 days, though some phenotypes benefit from 63–70 for terpene saturation. Monitor trichomes: target ~5–10% amber with the majority cloudy for a balanced head/body effect; earlier pulls (1–3% amber) skew brighter and more cerebral. If aiming for extraction, many processors prefer day 56–60 cuts for optimal terpene-to-cannabinoid ratios and fresher top notes.
Post-Harvest: Drying, Curing, and Storage
Dry in darkness at 15–18°C and 55–62% RH with gentle air movement but no direct breeze on buds. A 10–14 day slow dry is ideal; rush drying at high temperatures damages monoterpenes central to the licorice character. Stems should snap with a slight bend, not fully brittle, before tubbing.
Cure in airtight vessels at 58–62% RH, burping daily for the first 7–10 days, then weekly thereafter. Optimal flavor clarity typically presents between day 21 and day 35 of cure. Keep headspace minimal; a full jar loses aromatics more slowly than one that is repeatedly opened with large air volumes.
For long-term storage, maintain 12–16°C, away from light, and avoid wide thermal swings. Water activity (aw) between 0.55 and 0.62 reduces mold risk while preserving pliability; below 0.50 aw the flower can become harsh and lose nose. Properly stored, terpene losses are minimized to single-digit percentages over 90 days; at room temperature, losses can exceed 25% in the same period.
Yields, Extracts, and Phenohunting Strategy
In dialed indoor runs with 600–800 W of LED over a 4×4 ft (1.48 m²) area, Liquorice Allsortz can achieve 450–650 g·m⁻² in flower. Skilled growers running enriched CO₂ and high-DLI programs occasionally push 700+ g·m⁻², though quality should remain the primary target. Individual plants in 3–5 gallon (11–19 L) containers typically yield 85–170 g dried under optimized training.
Resin density makes the cultivar attractive to solventless processors. Hand-selected phenotypes often press 18–24% return on fresh-frozen or air-dried material, with 73–159 µ screens capturing the cream of the wash. Hydrocarbon extraction can deliver 70–85% total cannabinoid potency in finished badder/sauce while preserving the nuanced licorice top notes at lower purge temperatures.
Phenohunting should prioritize consistent licorice-on-the-grind aroma, dense trichome heads, and a balanced stretch ratio around 1.8–2.0x. Track each plant’s terpene persistence after a 21- and 35-day cure; the best keep the anise/fennel pop while layering vanilla-sweet undertones. Record data per phenotype—node spacing, finish time, wet/dry yield ratios, and wash returns—to lock in keepers with repeatable performance.
Consumer Profile, Use Cases, and Pairings
Liquorice Allsortz suits flavor chasers, medical users seeking calm uplift with body release, and extract artists exploring unusual aromatics. Daytime creatives may enjoy microdoses for ideation, while evening relaxation calls for fuller draws. Social settings benefit from its mood lift without heavy sedation, provided intake stays moderate.
Food pairings lean toward bittersweet and herbal: dark chocolate (70–80%), fennel salad with citrus, or aged cheeses like pecorino. Beverages that complement include unsweetened green tea, dry vermouth-inspired mocktails, or chilled herbal infusions with mint and lemon balm. Avoid sugary pairings that can drown its delicate eucalyptol–anise top note.
For playlists, minimal and downtempo genres highlight the cultivar’s reflective brightening, whereas high-BPM tracks can make the headspace feel more energetic than intended. Activities like journaling, sketching, or light cooking fit the 90–150 minute effectiveness window. Keep water on hand; the profile’s dryness can increase cottonmouth compared to fruit-forward cultivars.
Market Position and Competitive Landscape
The licorice lane in cannabis remains narrow compared to citrus, chem/gas, and cookie families. That scarcity positions Liquorice Allsortz as a differentiated SKU in dispensary cases and connoisseur menus. For collectors, novelty plus quality drives willingness to pay a premium when aroma and bag appeal translate from jar to palate.
Competing offerings often include anise-fennel-leaning cuts or certain terpinolene-forward sativa hybrids with herbal edges. However, few deliver the confection-style sweetness layered directly over licorice cues, which is the signature here. Reliability across batches—supported by controlled environment and disciplined post-harvest—will determine long-term shelf success.
From a branding perspective, Mean Beanz’s association bolsters credibility among enthusiasts who follow breeder lines. Clear, data-backed cultivation notes help multi-state operators or craft facilities reproduce the nose accurately. Retailers can merchandise it in “rare flavor” flights with mint, lavender, and cola-candy profiles to tell a sensory story.
Sustainability, Compliance, and QA Considerations
Indoor cultivation is energy-intensive; pairing high-efficiency LEDs (>2.7 µmol·J⁻¹) with sealed rooms and VFD-controlled HVAC can cut kWh per gram by 20–35% versus legacy HID setups. Dehumidification loads drop when VPD is managed via staged environmental control and sensible leaf area management. Water reuse and fertigation logging prevent oversupply; recirculating systems can reduce nutrient costs by 15–30% with proper sterilization.
For compliance, maintain batch-level traceability, integrated pest management records, and COAs documenting potency and residual solvent/contaminant thresholds where applicable. Given the cultivar’s strong aroma, odor mitigation plans—carbon filtration sizing at 50–100 CFM per ft² of canopy with sufficient contact time—are recommended in odor-regulated jurisdictions. Worker safety must address skin contact with resin and aerosolized terpenes during trimming and extraction.
QA should include moisture content verification (10–12% by weight), water activity (≤0.62 aw), and sensory evaluation at multiple cure checkpoints. Retain reference samples from each lot under controlled storage for dispute resolution and R&D. Consistency in aroma expression is particularly important for Liquorice Allsortz; minor drying deviations can flatten the licorice signature.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Liquorice Allsortz, bred by Mean Beanz, brings a rare licorice-anise thread into the modern dessert-cannabis conversation. Its appeal rests on a carefully layered aromatic stack that changes perceptibly from grind to exhale, backed by competitive potency and dense resin. For growers, it offers a cooperative structure, robust trichome development, and extract-friendly returns.
Because definitive pedigree disclosures remain limited, evaluation should focus on phenotype performance—nose, structure, finish time, and post-cure flavor persistence. Expect an indoor flowering window of 56–65 days, PPFD targets near 950–1,100 in late flower, and yields in the 450–650 g·m⁻² range when dialed. Total terpene content frequently lands at 1.5–3.0%, with β-caryophyllene, limonene, myrcene, fenchol/fenchone, ocimene, and p-cymene driving the profile.
For consumers, session planning benefits from small initial doses and a calm environment to appreciate the nuanced nose. Medical users may find a balanced blend of mood elevation and muscle ease, with minimal next-day fog when timed appropriately. In short, Liquorice Allsortz is a connoisseur-grade cultivar that rewards precise cultivation and thoughtful consumption with a truly singular flavor experience.
