Diesel

Also known as Sour D or Sour Deez, no legendary list is complete without this pillar of pot culture. Birthed in the underground cannabis scene, Sour Diesel is one of the strains that put weed in the minds of the mainstream world. It’s synonymous with graffiti on brick, hidden pot lounges, and punk, grunge, and hip-hop countercultures. This strain appears in novels, gives its name to rap albums and songs, is a favourite of celebrity smokers, and even pops up in TV shows.

This bud’s genetics are hotly debated. Very different to today, where seedbanks and creators fight to claim the invention of popular strains, the underground cannabis scene of the 80s and 90s wasn’t exactly known for its record-keeping. Speculation remains around both where this strain originated, and what its parent strains even are.

Most likely from the East Coast, some claim Sour Diesel was first bred by a man named “Weasel” in Staten Island, but it’s also been credited to an NYC grower known only as “AJ.” Some believe that Sour Diesel is a phenotype of an original strain named Diesel, while others believe that it’s a cross of Chemdawg, Northern Lights, and Skunk #1. A fun bit of cannabis lore is that the original Sour Diesel was also mixed with “RFK Skunk,” a strain known for being passed around at Washington DC’s Grateful Dead shows in the early 90s.

One of the most pungent strains on the market, Sour Diesel is infamous for escaping any stash bag or tightly sealed container. This isn’t a smoke you can’t hide: with its stink of citrus, skunk, kerosene, and of course, diesel, you can smell Sour Diesel burning from a mile away. Sour Diesel passes on its trademark aroma to several well-known “sour” strains, like Headband, Ultra Sour, Sour Cookies, Sage N’ Sour and Gas Berries.

Despite its smell, Sour Diesel’s citrusy and herbal smoke is actually super pleasant. As High Times puts it: “If there’s a tastier bud on the planet, we haven’t smoked it.”

Spinach’s Diesel is a nod to a new kind of cannabis, a non-irradiated and hand-trimmed hybrid with a special focus on explosively flavourful terpenes. Earthy, sweet, and with a lovely herbal flavour, it’s a welcome offering of a true legend.

Sour Diesel is known for its warm, powerful head rush. One part physically relaxing, one part uplifting, this sativa-dominant hybrid is famous for provoking inspiration, introspection, and intense chats.

Try this bud out for your next hangout, or for a painting date. Sour Diesel loves to bring out your inner Bob Ross—time to paint some happy little trees.