Denman Strain Review (Broken Coast)

Last year I tried out many Broken Coast strains, including Galiano, Ruxton, and Quadra. It’s been a while, so I decided to try something that recently appeared at SQDC. I've seen the strain listed as Pie in the Sky, but Broken Coast called it Denman, after Denman Island in British Columbia.

It’s a sativa-dominant strain, and my batch had fairly high THC with very little CBD. THC and terpene levels vary by grower and batch, so I'm not listing my container's exact numbers.

This wasn’t quite up to par with the high-quality Broken Coast flower I tried early last year, but it was still above average. Below is a detailed breakdown.

• Lineage: Unknown
• Type: Sativa-dominant
• Packaging Details: Packaged on 10/19/2020 and tested/reviewed on 01/02/2021, exactly 75 days after. Lot# 2620116820
• Pricing Details: Purchased 3.5 grams for $46.30 at the SQDC in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 2021. ($13.23/gram)

Appearance: 2/5

Maybe it’s just me, but when I’m paying anything over $12/gram for flower, I expect something that’s at least very good (because perfection is pretty hard to find).

The reason for the below-average score is simple, and it starts even before the actual visuals: it was too dry and underweight! The RH in the container was at 50%, and the weight was 3.42 grams.

Also, unlike other Broken Coast products I’ve tried, which usually had 2-3 big sticky nugs squished together in their small containers, this one had 7 nugs in there, 1 big and 6 medium ones. The visuals themselves are nice: textured light green buds with lots of orange pistils and purple calyxes covered in a sheet of amber trichomes.

Aroma: 2.5/5

I feel like the low RH% and the dryness contributed to the muted smell at first. There were hints of citrus pie, but they were minimal, so I decided it was worth reviving the terps with a Boveda pack for 24 hours.

The smell did become stronger, and I completely understand why it got the Pie in the Sky name, but I would have loved to enjoy this aroma right from the beginning. When milled, peppery notes come out a little more.

Flavor: 2.5/5

The flavor was similar to the aroma, and there was a significant difference after bringing up the moisture content with the Boveda pack. It was muted when it was too dry.

The sweet citrusy flavor came out on the inhale, with hints of pepper left on the palate on the exhale. Unfortunately, this was not the smoothest smoke, as there was a lot of coughing involved.

Effects: 4.5/5

This was my favorite aspect of this Denman strain review. I got an energizing feeling that was great when I wanted to focus on something, so for me this was a very good daytime strain.

It’s a sativa type of high that didn't glue me to the couch. If you've got a busy day ahead, this “Pie in the Sky” worked well for me.

Overall: 3/5

Although I’m used to giving a higher overall score to Broken Coast products, I still think this came out slightly above average (similar to Nuken Strain by Palmetto). I would recommend it to everyday users, and to beginners in small amounts.

I’d give this another chance in the future, but flower that costs more than $12/gram needs to be close to perfection. This isn’t a regular purchase; it’s a splurge, and a consumer should feel that.

If you’ve tried some Denman, let me know what you think in the comments below.

Legal note: This review is for adults of legal age. I bought this flower from a licensed store in Canada, where taking cannabis across the border is illegal. In the US, cannabis is still illegal under federal law for nonmedical use (Schedule I).

An April 2026 order moved only FDA-approved products and state-licensed medical marijuana to Schedule III, per the Congressional Research Service. State laws differ, so check yours.

Alternatives

• Galiano (Broken Coast): Another Broken Coast strain that gave me a high-quality experience, with a flavorful aroma.
• Ruxton (Broken Coast): Another option from Broken Coast with a strong high and a robust aroma, for those seeking a more intense effect.
• Quadra (Broken Coast): Also from Broken Coast, Quadra leans more relaxing than Denman, but it offers a similarly high-quality experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Denman strain indica or sativa?

The Denman strain is sold as sativa-dominant.

Can you describe the terpene profile of Denman and its effects?

My batch smelled of citrus pie with peppery notes once milled. Terpene levels vary by grower and batch, and how individual terpenes shape effects in people is still being studied, so check the label on the product you buy.

What is unique about the Denman strain?

For me, Denman stood out for its energizing high, which made it a good fit for daytime use and staying focused. Effects vary with dose, potency and experience, according to NIDA.

Sources

• Cannabis (Marijuana), National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Cannabis laws and regulations, Health Canada
• Department of Justice Eases Control of Medical Marijuana, Congressional Research Service