December was a wild one. From looking out the streets of Bangkok for the warmth, to the Harvest Ball’s premiere of the Dank Tank, to a complete lot of vacation events, I’m exhausted. I normally attempt to take the again half of December to try to recuperate & put together for the upcoming yr, however it by no means actually works out. This yr was no exception. I don’t know why I nonetheless count on holidays to be enjoyable.
However Thailand was wild! I’m engaged on a bit protecting our journey that you just’ll all be capable of learn someday subsequent month, however the lengthy and in need of it’s that the nation has embraced legalization like I’ve by no means seen earlier than. There are impartial stands to purchase weed in entrance of dispensaries, there are vehicles promoting weed like ice cream vehicles on each block. I’m not going to fake they’ve obtained the very best high quality but, however they’re throwing themselves at it, and I like to see it. There are a number of picks from there main the listing this month for anybody trying to expertise it. We’ve additionally obtained some gems I discovered whereas attending the Harvest Ball, which Jimi & I went to the day after we returned to the states. Discuss overbooking.
(Additionally P.S. sorry to everybody I noticed that weekend. It was a whirlwind and I used to be nonetheless coming down from my aircraft medicine so I barely keep in mind something, however I’m positive I didn’t get sufficient time to correctly dangle with any of you. I gained’t make that mistake once more – I’m coming properly rested all 2023 :))
Anyway, I hoped to get two extra of those out earlier than the yr ends as I simply turned 33 final week and it felt symbolic, however it doesn’t appear like that’s going to occur. Guess we’ll begin off ‘23 with #33, which is my fortunate quantity so we’ll say we’re beginning on a excessive notice. If there’s something you suppose must be included, otherwise you simply wish to speak about one of many picks I made on this or earlier lists, hit me on Twitter and let’s hash it out!
Thai Stick
If you happen to’ve been listening to the tradition for awhile you’ve in all probability heard the legend of Thai sticks earlier than. Among the first Sativas proliferating the states, Thai sticks have been mainly Thailand’s model of brick weed again within the day. Packed and certain tightly round precise sticks and smuggled to all of the corners of the world largely by way of the assistance of the army, they’re one thing of an city legend in the present day. After we landed in Thailand they have been clearly the very first thing we requested about, however it grew to become clear that this was an elusive delicacy. Actually, a lot of the dispensary guys we requested stated to allow them to know if we discovered it for their very own consumption wants. Whereas this may not be fully apparent by the appears of us, however we discovered it, and the man who has been packing them for nearly 60 years. I can’t provide you with data on the right way to discover him, however I can inform you he’s on the market, and so are fashionable sticks.
Dr. Dope’s Double Dawg
I attempt very onerous to make sure I’m not duplicating picks that different journalists have already written about, and though Jimi already talked about Dr. Dope’s Double Dawg in his 12 Strains of Christmas piece for LA Weekly I might be remiss if I didn’t point out the very best weed we discovered at a dispensary in Bangkok. Whereas the sport out there may be nonetheless recent, and the local weather makes it troublesome to provide tops, this was some actual authentically Thai-grown warmth. You can truly see the trichomes on this one, which was not as frequent as you’d count on within the growing market. That stated, Dr. Dope was additionally a enjoyable and albeit stylish spot to hold in, definitely worth the cease for those who’re within the space!
Plantopia
That is much less of a product and extra of a vacation spot, however if you’d like a very distinctive weed expertise (particularly in Thailand), you’ve obtained to hit up Plantopia ‘Weed Metropolis’ on Khao San Highway. Principally a weed strip mall, this procuring middle has a maze of dispensaries and consumption lounges so that you can buy or eat in, and a pleasant open air smoking patio so that you can sesh with the shoppers of different outlets. It’s wild how in Asia having 100 of the identical sort of shops proper subsequent to one another doesn’t appear to trouble anybody, however it was shocking for me. That stated, it’s a really distinctive place to hold – everybody will get their very own taste with out compromise.
Kasta’s Nam Wah
On the celebration I’ll element within the final entry on this listing, a neighborhood buddy from the web pulled up with a few of his underground grown to point out us. I’ll be sincere, this was the very best weed I noticed that (I consider) was truly grown in Thailand, although it wasn’t by way of a standard dispensary expertise. He stated the farm is simply getting arrange, and that it’s known as Kasta. The group additionally says the reduce known as Nam Wah, which is a cross between Banana OG & Mimosa from Symbiotic Genetics. They do love their sativa’s on that facet of the world! Additionally huge shout out to Bbboss for pulling up on us on the celebration!
Trufflez – Wockesha
Let me begin off by saying that Trufflez is taking the branding sport to a brand new stage with this one. The pleather stitched mylar was not one thing I ever anticipated to see, however it additionally looks like a greater compromise than a lot of the fancy bag makes an attempt we’ve seen recently. It feels classier than a mylar – and whereas I’m positive it’s costlier I’m curious to see how weed will final on this pouch long run. I’m going to do some experiments with that alone. That stated concerning the advertising and marketing, the weed within the bag is definitely as much as par. Actually, all of the samples I noticed from Trufflez have been what I might think about actual prime shelf flower.
Turtle Pie Co – Purple Sticky Rice
Anytime I see one thing new from Turtle I do know it’s going to be one thing that’s going to hit within the streets, however their newest, Purple Sticky Rice is hitting on a complete new stage. Redefining the ‘sweet’ nostril most count on from some purple dank, these have been among the sweetest nugs to ever hit my nostrils. And I’m not simply together with this due to the Asian nod, this one’s undoubtedly a gelato relative and everyone knows how the market loves that! All I’ve seen to this point are the tasters so I’m not solely positive if this one’s hit the streets but, however while you get an opportunity, undoubtedly faucet in.
Life is Not Grape – IDK/IDC
You’ve heard me rave about LING up to now so I don’t want to enter how nice his manufacturing expertise, or model design, has been to date. You already know that his flower is killing it everywhere in the nation, and that his hash collaborations and donuts are prime tier. Effectively associates, have you ever tried his new Runtz x Gushers cross but? As a result of let me inform you, I’m writing residence about it. With all of the candy firepower you count on from two of the preferred strains of the previous decade, LING’s obtained one thing really particular on his fingers with this one – do I even want to say how god rattling onerous this branding is?
Spoomalack
I’m not solely positive what’s occurring with this one. I don’t know if he’s a model, or if he’s simply rising fireplace, however what I can guarantee you of is he’s undoubtedly doing that. I met the brand new homie at Continual Tradition for the primary time at their Kalya dinner (which was straight after Jimi & I obtained off the aircraft returning to the states) and each single reduce he confirmed me was stellar, and absolutely rocked me upon deeper inspection (into my lungs). Not figuring out if he’s a full model, I’m unsure how out there this flower is, however for those who’re within the Bay and also you hear somebody speaking a couple of cultivator with a bizarre identify (I imply, what IS Spoomalack?), possibly it’s this homie. Whether it is, you’re in luck, younger padawan.
Flytrap’s Gumbo
These guys have been making a TON of noise down in Florida and I’ve been requested extra about Gumbo than just about some other cultivar in latest historical past, so I’m happy to report that it’s not simply hype – the blokes are doing one thing down there within the South East. I used to be lucky sufficient to catch Superfly and El Tay on my journey again from the Bay (shout out to Jet Suite X, the trapper’s selection!), and so they broke me off with a few of their newest harvest and carte blanche, that is the very best weed I’ve seen come out of Florida but.
Sherbinski & Compound Genetics – Tribute
Felipe offered this to us within the Dank Tank Jimi and I hosted on the Harvest Ball and I’ve obtained to say, for a man who has stated numerous instances he’s over gelato, their new collaboration with the creator himself, Sherbinski, simply rekindled my love. This Apples & Bananas x Gelato 41 cross smells and tastes precisely how you’ll count on, with a pure, but couldn’t be extra dialed in with additive terps for those who tried taste. You may odor the apples, the bananas, and that candy sweet end Gelato’s identified for. And it’s smokin’ too! Whereas not fairly as knock-you-out as loads of Gelato varietals, this one’s a pleasant sundown smoke.
Bonus: Thai Lasagna
If you happen to ever get the prospect, you’ve obtained to attempt a Thai lasagna. I’ve been dreaming about these freakin’ issues. After we went to go to Tropicanna, after sampling their wares the gang tell us that they had ready lunch if we have been hungry. I had identified one of many house owners spent years residing in Italy (you possibly can inform, he had type); I didn’t notice he was half Italian. Not going to lie, I by no means anticipated to eat a lasagna and curry feast, however boy did we home it. It was the very best hospitality we skilled in Thailand, in my view. There will probably be extra on this within the ‘the Gang goes to Bangkok’ piece I’m engaged on, however for now simply know I ate near a whole lasagna on my own.
Nepotism Bonus: Phandee
I’m including this as a nepotism bonus as a result of Oliver, one of many proprietors of Phandee, was our information for the Thailand journey, however I’m not fronting after I say this was my favourite of the outlets we noticed in Bangkok. Whereas the shop itself isn’t all that huge, it’s half of a bigger footprint that additionally sells meals, drinks and even booze, and has an excellent little patio within the center so everybody can take pleasure in all the things collectively. It’s not solely a superb setup, it additionally appears insane as a result of the skin is wrapped on this rainbow translucent glass. Or plastic, I don’t know, however I do know I prefer it. Oliver additionally hosted a celebration on the store for us whereas we have been there and I’ll be sincere, I used to be not anticipating wherever close to the kind of turnout we obtained, or the quantity of people that knew who we have been. It was a good time and can absolutely be a check-in anytime I’m within the metropolis.
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