by Rachel Hantula, director of customer experience

Gabriel Cannabis

In Washington state, Gabriel dominates the top shelf cannabis market. They operate out of Issaquah as a tier 3 cannabis producer. They curate beautifully exquisite, high quality cannabis flower for the discerning connoisseur. Every strain they produce is markedly drenched in trichome coverage, providing for incredible visual aesthetics as well as pronounced, potent effects.

Picking apart some Gabriel buds could very well cement your fingers together--and there is no greater joy, the experience is almost spiritual. Some of this flower lends to juicy, delicious cannabis concentrates processed by Alpenglow Extracts, well known for their masterfully terpy extractions. 

Gabriel takes quality control to another level entirely. For example, their cultivation rooms are completely sealed. There are no vents to the outside world. The entire environment for their plants is controlled within the room. This allows for the perfect environment to be curated specifically for their exotic lineup of cannabis strains. The temperature can be comfortable, humidity can sit steady, and pesticides aren't ever necessary.

Gabriel has even partnered up with Exotic Genetix, a renowned cannabis breeder out of Washington state, to curate and produce some of their iconic and trendy flavors. Exotic Genetix is known as a hash breeder, meaning he breeds cannabis strains meant for hash production. A strain that is bred for hash production will have the biggest, most globular, juicy, resin-filled trichome heads possible.

Although Gabriel doesn’t produce hash themselves, strains meant for hash make for a killer smoke of flower. The fuller the resin head, the more robust and flavorful the terpene profile, the higher and more varied the cannabinoid concentration and consequently the more enjoyable and defined experience you achieve. 

Take, for example, the strain Donkey Butter, bred by Exotic Genetix and produced by Gabriel. Donkey Butter is a cross of Triple OG and Grease Monkey. Donkey Butter stands out with medium to large-sized flowers that hold together in solid, conical shapes.

The leaves themselves are a deep shade of forest green, with some phenotypes even boasting patches of purple. Finally, Donkey Butter’s flowers are made even more colorful by corkscrewed orange pistils and snowy, translucent trichomes.

Once cured, flowers of Donkey Butter have a gamey, earthy scent. A second whiff may pick up on some woodsy, pine-like notes as well. Breaking apart or grinding these dense flowers can reveal more of an intense, gasoline-like odor, possibly passed on from grandparent strain Gorilla Glue.

When it’s burnt in a pipe or a joint, Donkey Butter can give off an acrid, eye-watering smoke that may be somewhat harsh on the lungs. On the exhale, this thick smoke has a pungent flavor with some light herbal traces.

As with many other mostly indica strains, Donkey Butter has a high that mounts slowly. Several minutes after coughing on its heavy smoke, users begin to feel head-focused sensations like a constricted feeling around the temples or some flushing in the cheeks. Ideas may move more quickly than usual and may seem to have a new kind of intensity.

Similarly, users may begin to make free associations or group their thoughts into categories. This cerebral edge can help accomplish work on open-ended artistic projects or brainstorming sessions. In the right set and setting, Donkey Butter may even induce trippy sensory distortions like a flattening of visual depth perspective or an uncanny feeling of time dilation. Those who are so inclined can maximize this psychedelic mood by indulging in some moody music or a visually dynamic movie.

Gabriel’s other strains they curate are just still just as delightful, with more old school flavor profiles than today’s commonly popular “dessert” varieties and flavors. Take for example, Chocolope and its incredibly unique terpene profile and associated experience …

Gabriel’s Chocolope is one of our top sellers for cannabis flower across the board. We simply cannot keep enough in stock to satiate the appetite for this truly special cultivar. It is a cross of Chocolate Thai and Cannalope Haze. Chocolope has long, fluffy buds that take an almost cylindrical shape, unlike the nugget-like buds of more indica varieties.

The cured buds have a particularly dank, earthy smell with some sweetness. When buds are broken up and combusted, this earthy scent is somewhat more intense. The smoke from this strain hits smoothly -- on the inhale, it bears more resemblance to parent strain Cannalope Haze and tastes mostly fruity with some hints of chocolate. Cocoa and coffee notes are more evident as smoke is exhaled. The mental high of Chocolope takes hold quickly. 

Users may notice a buzzy head high that soon morphs into an altered way of thinking. With virtually none of the heavy body stone associated with hybrids or indicas, Chocolope’s effect is motivating and energizing. Although it’s cerebral and thought-provoking, this strain allows the user to maintain a mostly clear and level head.

Well suited to daytime use, it can easily accompany household tasks or more extensive errands. Medically speaking, Chocolope’s acute sense of focus can be good for those with wandering attention spans. The emotional high and general sense of well-being may also be helpful in providing relief from stress and anxiety. Some of our guests even use Chocolope as an aid to relieve chronic stomach discomfort. 

No matter your selection from Gabriel’s lineup, you are sure to experience some of the finest Washington state recreational cannabis has to offer. Ask your budtender at either Hashtag location today which Gabriel strain might be right for you!