On a gloriously sunny winter’s day in July, the legendary Nimbin Cannabis Cup and Hashish Dish rolled out once again, marking what some whisper is the 28th derby of the green gods.
This year, the gods were clearly smiling, as a record-breaking squad of about 50 seasoned (and admittedly enthusiastic) judges gathered to partake in what can only be described as the ultimate cannabis celebration.
The setting? A secret idyll nestled within a lush permaculture garden in the verdant Nimbin Valley, a place so beautiful even the buds seemed to puff out their chests (or colas) in full anticipation.
The growers and caretakers, proud yet a little nervous, had prepped their prized green wonders, each nug like a tiny masterpiece waiting for its moment in the sun (or under the scrutinising noses of the judges).
As the judges tiptoed into the judgment hall, an almost reverent hush fell. One could have heard a seed drop. Before them lay a dazzling array of 32 cannabis entries and eight hashish marvels, each one practically bursting with resin and promise.
Round One was all about the senses, inspecting, sniffing, squeezing, and comparing buds with the precision of horticultural detectives. Judges were tasked with spreading their love points, three per person, to the flower and hashish champions who best embodied the artistry and craft of cannabis cultivation.
After a well-earned break, Round Two was where things got interesting. The judges’ faces became a study in concentration and appreciation as they awaited the symphony of effects to roll through their endocannabinoid systems. It was a masterclass in professionalism, savouring each puff and puffing each savour.
Here are the finalists, resin- drenched beauties strutting their stuff like runway models, each one with a story etched in trichomes and terpene profiles.
The first round saw some clear front runners:
• Crikey (Plate 30) stormed ahead with 28 points, a true firecracker.
• Good Arvo (Plate 12) earned a respectable 17 points.
• Flambe (Plate 11) lit up with 13 points.
• The Ultimate (Plate 10) secured 9 votes.
• Frozen Black Cherry (Plate 3) had 8 votes.
After the smoke settled, the final round tallied with more tight drama.
• Crikey (Plate 30) still topped with 22 points.
• Flambe (Plate 11) was hot on the heels with 20 points.
• Good Arvo (Plate 12) kept strong at 10 points.
• Candy Man (Plate 26) scored 8 points.
• And tied at 6 points each: F***ed #1 (Plate 1), Gorilla Glue #4 (Plate 6), and Deep State (Plate 17).
Drumroll, please…
The 2026 Australian Cannabis Cup champion, with a solid overall score of 50 points and a robust 22% THC, is none other than Crikey (Plate 30). Hat tip to Frosty of Frost King Genetics for breeding this indoor organic masterpiece that wowed everyone from stem to smoke.
And then there was the Hashish Dish… with eight finely sieved specimens laid out like edible treasures on the judging table.
This wasn’t just any competition, these hashthletes ranged from rock-hard nuggets to soft rubs, medium gloops, and those ultra-refined, manicured magical dusts crafted by alchemists whose wisdom is the stuff of legends (or at least lunchtime gossip).
Round One had the judges putting their senses to work, touch, smell, and even microscopes (because if you’re gonna judge hash, you might as well get nerdy about it).
The crowd magnet, plate 5, none other than Mooks 48, rumoured to be the long-lost sibling of the mythical Mooks 47, took an early lead with a whopping 32 votes, while the four closest contenders jostled tightly between 16 and 22 votes.
The scoring table nearly collapsed under the weight of votes pouring in for Mooks 48, with an extra 38 in Round two alone to seal its dominance. In the end, the legend remained, Mooks 48 smoked
the competition, racking up a staggering 50 votes in total.
So closed another chapter of the Nimbin Cannabis Cup, a sparkling saga of green greatness, where flavour, power, lineage and love all found their rightful place.
Huge thanks to our elegant host Lady Robyn and the Ganja Faeries with the power of providing an unforgettable venue and an endless parade of munch worthy hors d’oeuvres fuelling judges through the haze.
Already, the gears are turning for next year’s edition, promising even more entrants, from passionate growers to inventive seed breeders and medical cannabis pioneers.
