Los Angeles was extra lit last month when Masters of Rosin made its West Coast debut after a buzzworthy kickoff in New York City earlier this year. I went to explore the left-coast iteration of this celebrated competition and came back impressed by the quality of the entrants and the event’s overall execution.
After flying across the country and touching down in California, things got off to a good start when I saw the massive line at Cookies to drop off entries. It was clear the competition was going to be tight when over 50 competitors rolled in, each armed with their best hash rosin, ready to duke it out in what felt more like a family reunion than a cutthroat competition.
Checking out the judges’ panel, it was clearly designed to reflect the global nature of the competition’s history, while reading like a “who’s who” of the global hash scene: Joe from Big Green Budha representing South Africa, Lil Big Smoker from Brazil, and heavy hitters like JP Toro, Scott Deppe of Mothership Glass, Nick from Third Shift Resin, Dammit Bobby, Adam Simpson, Phil from SoilGrown and Jacob from Have Hash. This star-studded lineup ensured that every entry was scrutinized by the refined palates of some of the best in the business.
The event unfolded across several LA locations, starting at the Cookies dispensary in Maywood, hosting an exclusive party at the Astor Club, and culminating in an intimate judges’ session at an undisclosed residence that added an upscale air of mystery to the proceedings.
But we came for the terps, and wow, did MOR deliver. Sampling the judges’ kit sent me on a sensory journey through the top tiers of hash craftsmanship. The quality of the entries across the board was impressively delightful.
After a week of testing and a few epic seshes, the winners were finally announced during the closing ceremony. At the awards, Real Deal Resin took home the top honors with their Zkittlez entry. In fact, Zkittlez and its crosses dominated the competition, claiming seven of the top 10 spots. It seems the community’s love affair with that unmistakable profile is far from over, igniting memes and commentary across the internet about Z’s continued dominance on the competitive circuit.
Second place went to The Real Cannabis Chris with his Wild Cherry, a fruit-forward offering that stood out amid a sea of Z terps. Trichome Tortoise secured third with another stellar Zkittlez rosin, proving that excellence can shine even in a crowded field.
Not to be overlooked, there were solid showings from a few East Coast entrants, reminding us that exceptional hash isn’t confined to the West Coast. These included Aloha Apothecary from Maine, which made a strong showing at 11th place, and Mega Raw Melts, which landed at 21st, demonstrating promise and potential in a highly competitive lineup. Unfortunately, Hidden Forest Farms’ Zcube entry didn’t arrive in time — a potential missed opportunity, given how strong Z showed up on the leaderboard — but one that leaves us eagerly anticipating what they’ll bring to the next competition.
The event wasn’t just about the competition; it was a celebration of hash culture itself. The party at Astor Club LA was a highlight, with heavy hitters from all corners of the community converging in one place. The Alchemist spun tracks that perfectly complemented the vibe, turning the venue into a pulsating hub of energy. Rare glass rigs adorned tables like art installations, each one a masterpiece in its own right, while the air was thick with the rich aromas of premium terps savored by aficionados.
What struck me most was the sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. In an industry that’s rapidly expanding and often driven by profit margins, Masters of Rosin felt refreshingly authentic. It wasn’t about hollow accolades; it was about genuine appreciation for the craft and the people who dedicate their lives to perfecting it. With the proliferation of hash competitions around the globe, it’s easy to become desensitized to yet another event claiming to crown the “best of the best.”
David Madilyan, the organizer of the event, shared what makes it so special: “Masters of Rosin is very simple but it’s also very hard to win. We only have one category and we focus exclusively on rosin. The concept is always the same: Who has the best Rosin in the world? It’s our eighth year doing the competition, and we are still about the same thing, with no plans to ever change that.”
Los Angeles may be known for its glitz and glamour, but for a few glorious days, the real stars were the hashmakers and the vibrant community that supports them. If this event is any indication of where we’re headed, the future of hash rosin is exceptionally bright.
