This week Emerald tried three seasonal, strain-specific live resins made by AbsoluteXtracts (ABX). We consumed the oils in different forms — two in vapes, and the last on flower, and noticed slightly different results.
Frozen Herb?
According to Leafly, live resin is made from “freshly harvested cannabis [flower that’s been] frozen to a subcritical temperature prior to and throughout the extraction process, skipping the drying and curing phases.
The subcritical temperatures, Leafly adds, helps preserve terpenes — the aromatic compounds in cannabis, which may otherwise be damaged during the drying process.
Specifically, ABX creates their live resins using a CO2 extraction process, which research shows is a clean method that further helps preserve compounds in cannabis, particularly THC and CBD.
I tried three different oils, all of which are only available to California consumers.
ABX Live DART Battery + Banjo Live Resin
338 mg of THC, 1.09 mg CBD (67.8% THC, .22% CBD)
$30 MSRP per DART battery
$35 for .5 gram DART pod
The ABX Live system includes: a vape pen with a CCell Dart battery, and a micro-USB cable/charger.
The system is incredibly easy to use. The pod, which is sold separately from the battery, attaches to the battery magnetically. One attached, users simply inhale from the mouthpiece — they don’t need to push a button, or wait for the vape to heat up.
According to ABX, the system puts “the power of a dab in the palm of your hand, [and] the temperature settings are ideal for high-viscosity cannabis oils,” like resin.
The results proved exceptionally tasty, and not nearly as harsh as a traditional dab. I tasted Banjo’s diverse flavor profile with each hit. It was earthy, citrusy, but also a bit fruity. Overall, it delivered one of the smoothest, and most satisfying hits I’ve ever taken from a vape. Effects were moderate and energizing — surprising for its high THC content. The high trailed off without any tired-ness after about 20 minutes. No droopy eyelids or couchlock here! But I did get the munchies.
One small issue — don’t get the mouthpiece mixed up with the charging side like I did!
4.8/5 emeralds emeralds
SFV OG Live 510-Thread
769. 48 mg THC, 2.03 mg CBD (76.9% THC, 0.20% CBD)
1 g cartridge: $48 MSRP
Secondly, I tried ABX’s SFV Og Live Resin in a 510-thread cartridge, which I attached to a G Pen and put on low.
This was the only ABX Live Resin product to indicate which terpenes it contained on its product’s packaging. For example, this particular strain is high in caryophyllene, limonene, and myrcene, which gives it citrusy, herbal undertones. Overall, I tasted the sweet, planty flavors, which together created a floral, almost rose-like flavor.
Similarly to Banjo, the SFV OG oil was smooth, layered and tasty. However, it was slightly more harsh and had a bit less flavor than smoking the oil from the ABX’s Live system. Though SFV OG’s THC content is higher, it also produced a similar high to Banjo.
4.6/5 emeralds
Pink Lemonade Live Concentrate
780 mg THC, .82 mg CBD (78% THC, .08% CBD)
1g: $32 MSRP
Lastly, I tried ABX’s Pink Lemonade Live Resin Concentrate. The oil can be used for dabs, popped in a vape pen, or put on top of a bowl. I tried the latter, and put some on top of a bowl of fresh flower.
When I opened the concentrate, I immediately smelled its sweet and sour aroma. It certainly smelled like its namesake, pink lemonade. When smoked, it had a diesel-like flavor, and produced a massive exhale of smoke and an upbeat high. However, I could not taste the full flavor profile, unlike with the vape pens.
4.6/5 emeralds
Test Results
Lab results for the live results are on each product’s packaging, which is standard for dispensary-bought concentrates in California. The package indicates that Sonoma Lab Works tested the products, and includes a batch number.
A certificate of analysis (COA) for each product was not available online. Emerald reached out to ABX, who sent the COAs. Those COAs confirm that Banjo, SFV OG and Pink Lemonade all have the exact amount of THC and CBD that ABX advertises on each product label.
ABX earns credit for transparency, and accuracy. But I wish lab tests were available online so I could view the full results immediately.
Worth it?
Overall, I enjoyed ABX’s line of live resins. Out of all of the strain-specific oils, my favorite was Banjo with ABX’s Live vape system. It not only provided one of the best vaping, but concentrate experiences I’ve tried so far. Altogether, the $35 price point for a half gram pod is average, and $30 for the DART battery is reasonable too. Furthermore, the price point for each live resin is average.
Although I really enjoyed ABX’s Live system, I typically avoid speciality cartridges. That’s because finding the same brand at different shops can be difficult, and limits consumers, especially in terms of price points. But ABX’s Live Resins are also available on their own, or in 510-thread cartridges, which fit most vape pens.
It is worth noting that I have visited ABX’s parent company, Cannacraft, in Santa Rosa, California, and have seen how the company creates their CO2 extractions, edibles and more. While we recommend ABX products after this review, we also encourage consumers to get a behind the scene look at how some of their favorite products are created.
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