The hashish business loves a good origin story. A narrative like Wonderbrett’s. The model is called for Brett Feldman, a grower whose flavorful indoor-grown weed impressed a phrase heard round Los Angeles weed circles throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s — “You bought that Brett?”
Equally vital to the model’s basis is Feldman’s collaborator, Cameron Damwijk, additionally a grasp cultivator. The duo formally launched Wonderbrett in 2014, again throughout the Prop 215 (medical-only) days in California. Earlier than that, Feldman and Damwijk have been legends in Los Angeles music, road, and weed culture.
The fast story goes somewhat one thing like this: Again in 1997, Feldman was given a reduce of OG Kush by Josh D, who together with one other storied grower, Bubba, first introduced the now-iconic pressure to California from Florida in 1992. This will likely appear quaint now, however again then, this was earlier than OG Kush was a factor outdoors of very choose circles. Feldman went backwards and forwards from the Bay Space, re-upping his provide of the newly in-demand pressure for the Los Angeles market. Ultimately, it grew to become clear that this wasn’t probably the most environment friendly means of getting poundage within the arms of consumers, so Josh D bestowed upon Feldman a clone and principally stated “have at it.”
The Model:
Recognizing he had one thing particular, Feldman took time to discover ways to correctly develop the pressure as a way to “not fuck it up,” he stated whereas we toured his now 80,000-square-foot indoor develop facility in Lengthy Seaside. “When Kush was given to me, I had to determine easy methods to develop weed instantly,” he says. “I couldn’t kill the crops!”
And be taught to develop he did. As a result of surging demand of OG Kush in Los Angeles throughout the late ’90s, Feldman quickly discovered himself within the firm of hip-hop’s largest stars: Xzibit, Snoop, B-Actual, and Dr. Dre amongst them. He was even invited to come back chill within the studio throughout recording for Dr. Dre’s album, 2001. B-Actual confirmed to me in a separate interview that it was Feldman who launched him to Kush means again when.
As we speak, that legacy has became Wonderbrett, a full-fledged hashish and life-style model that maintains roots within the music group — Poo Bear, who’s a recording artist and producer for Justin Bieber, Lupe Fiasco, Skrillex, and lots of others, is without doubt one of the model’s main buyers. The truth is, Feldman, who can be a visible artist and the person behind the weed’s packaging design, lately launched a brand new album of his personal, “Wonderbrett: Volume 2,” which is a vibey, ethereal mixture of beats good for — what else — smoking weed.
Along with flower, Wonderbrett additionally makes solventless rosin gummies, pre-rolls, and dabs.
The Develop
Wonderbrett’s Lengthy Seaside indoor cultivation web site is very large. The model grows with a 22,000-square-feet cover footprint throughout 36 particular person develop rooms. Altogether, it’s about 30,000 crops. Even at his highest capability again within the pre-legal days, Feldman says he might by no means have imagined producing at such scale, and that whereas scaling has gone properly for them, it stays the primary problem.
“On a small develop, it’s straightforward to have management,” he says. “You’re at all times going to have the ability to be the man who’s there on a regular basis, who sleeps on the develop, proper? That is completely different.”
These days, they’ve 14 proprietary cultivars in rotation, that are chosen in response to quite a few traits that make Wonderbrett weed what it’s. The model’s slogan is “flavors on flavors,” and all it takes is one whiff of a jar to see why — to paraphrase Darth Vader, the terps “are robust with this one.” The concentrate on this side of weed makes a robust level typically misplaced in immediately’s procuring panorama: THC proportion is merely one a part of the equation, and never essentially crucial one.
“Should you purchase weed on THC alone, you’re a dummy,” Feldman says.
It’s additionally in regards to the terpenes and flavonoids, which is why it’s been so damaging to customers to not have the ability to odor the weed they’re contemplating buying. Smelling it tells a large a part of the story. That’s to not say Wonderbrett’s weed isn’t robust — I’m puffing on a 34.06% THC pattern of the model’s Pineapple OG as I kind — nevertheless it’s true that THC efficiency is skewed as being the dominant marker of high quality.
Strolling right into a Wonderbrett develop room with towering fats buds mere days away from completion makes a good finer level. I used to be smacked with odor each time I opened a door, whether or not that be an precise Peach odor within the Peach OZ room or the straight gasoline emanating from Black Orchid. The vividness matches the model’s advertising and marketing technique, which is to match dominant terpenes and flavonoids with the pressure identify as a lot because it is smart — making an actionable connection within the buyer’s thoughts. If somebody is shopping for a pressure with the phrase “peach” within the identify, would possibly or not it’s a good suggestion to then pheno hunt for a spread that shows these very traits? Feldman says, “Sure. I’m glad you seen that.” He presents an deliberately cartoonish snicker. “It means my technique is working.”
The Weed
Feldman advised me early in my tour — and I can verify, after seeing it firsthand — that at Wonderbrett they dry trim solely, which preserves trichomes, most significantly. These are the little crystals that include the enjoyable cannabinoids, like THC, that make us excessive. He dries and cures for 2 weeks solely. On the whole, from the day the weed is harvested, then examined, then dried and cured and eventually packaged, Wonderbrett’s turnaround is about one month from harvest to package deal.
Wonderbrett’s jarred eighths aren’t low-cost — they common for about $60 — and since they’re consistently churning out new buds from their stratified and well-timed develop rooms, their clients are getting as contemporary bud as one can probably get on the authorized market. The odor that lingers within the jars confirms this, although the bud is typically a bit dry. That’s extra of the fault of legalization than anyone particular person grower.
I walked away from Wonderbrett’s facility with my head swimming in taste, which is their intent. However does the bud stack up? I attempted six: Black Orchid, Pineapple OG, Cherry Trop, Grapes of Wrath, and Chomp, which is the brand’s collaboration with rapper Russ.
The Strains
Pineapple OG
Retail Worth: $60
Pressure: Indica
THC: 34.06%
CBD: 0.08%
Dominant Terpenes: Limonene, Myrcene, Linalool, Caryophyllene
Simply thought-about a signature cultivar of the model, Feldman advised me Pineapple OG’s roots return to 2008, although 2014 is the primary time anybody might purchase it legally. These are the buds Wonderbrett led with as soon as they might promote within the medical market. He additionally stated it’s been one of the constant producers of excessive THC — the batch I attempted, which clocked in at 34%, was no exception.
It’s gassy, redolent of its OG roots, and boasts flavors of candy and bitter fruits, like pineapples, guavas, and passionfruit. It’s straightforward to see why individuals find it irresistible, and it’s can be a stable go-to in any skilled smoker’s repertoire. Feldman additionally talked about it’s a “hardy” cultivar, ideally suited for breeding, which he has executed for different Wonderbrett strains, like Orange Banana.
Black Orchid
Retail Worth: $65
Pressure: Hybrid
THC: 22.70%
CBD: 0.05%
Dominant Terpenes: Limonene, Caryophyllene, Linalool, Humulene
One other favourite of mine is Black Orchid, which is a way more purposeful smoke than Wonderbrett’s different choices, owing to its extra balanced cannabinoid profile and dense flowers. THC is registered at 22%, which is a “Goldilocks” proportion for me — not an excessive amount of, not too little, however good. There are greater percentages of CBG and CBGA, as properly, which is claimed to help in leisure. Limonene, Caryophyllene, Linalool, and Humulene are the dominant terpenes, which implies this cultivar has somewhat little bit of the whole lot I like: citrus, earth, flowers, and a touch of gasoline, which one would anticipate from an OG Kush and Gelato cross.
Peach OZ
Retail Worth: $60
Pressure: Sativa
THC: 30.0%
CBD:0.01%
Dominant Terpenes: Caryophyllene, Linalool, Limonene, Humulene
The excitement that outcomes from a Peach OZ smoke is certainly fitted to daytime, however 30% THC suggests a daytime exercise like taking a leisurely stroll in a good looking location or sitting on the seashore somewhat than something that requires critical motor ability operate. The odor and taste match up on this one: peach, candy citrus and a touch of vanilla spherical out this cultivar, which was made by Peach Rings and OZ Kush, a pheno gifted from Hashish by Corey, which initially got here from Dying Breed Seeds.
Chomp
Retail Worth: $60
Pressure: Hybrid
THC: 26.91%
CBD: 0.07%
Dominant Terpenes: Limonene, Humulene, Linalool, Caryophyllene
We already reviewed Chomp, which is a collaboration with the rapper Russ timed to launch alongside his EP by the identical identify. It’s a heady pressure, way more fitted to cerebral actions – like, say, recording a rap album — which I attribute to Limonene because the dominant terpene.
Grapes of Wrath
Retail Worth: $60
Pressure: Hybrid
THC: 27.65%
CBD: 0.07%
Dominant Terpenes: Limonene, Linalool, Humulene, Caryophyllene
Put merely, that is pool weed, a hybrid of Jet Gasoline Gelato and Grape Pie. The excessive is heavy, befitting 27.65% THC, however uplifting, owing to the robust Limonene and Linalool content material. It’s euphoric, one thing that will be drastically aided by listening to music, particularly. This sounds bizarre, nevertheless it tastes like grape cake.
I’m not precisely positive what meaning in actuality, however a robust grape taste accompanied by a yeasty, bready undertone is smart to me right here. The genetics are from Compound Genetics, purveyors of among the hypest fireplace California’s breeders have to supply.
Cherry Trop
Retail Worth: $60
Pressure: Hybrid
THC: 26.43%
CBD: 0.06%
Dominant Terpenes: Caryophyllene, Limonene, Linalool, Humulene
One of many develop rooms that displayed among the most stunning bud, for my part, was Cherry Trop, which popped with deep purples and even reds, relying on the sunshine. It’s a hybrid mixture of Cherry Cookies and Trop Cookies, which got here from a seed pack by Relentless. The general taste is fruit: stone fruits and citrus, redolent of a sunny day spent consuming bitter candies. At 26% THC, it’s robust, nevertheless it gained’t knock you in your ass. It is a stimulating daytime smoker for any exercise that requires motion and focus however not an excessive amount of mental brainpower.
Wonderbrett’s music connection continues to be robust
Along with attempting a few of Wonderbretts present cultivar choices and palling round with Feldman, I additionally received to speak to Poo Bear, who places his cash the place his mouth is, so far as Wonderbrett is anxious. He stated he was initially drawn to the model via its extremely stylized packaging — the model’s signature color-blocked containers – which struck Poo Bear as “very skilled” in an period when weed was something however. In the long run, it’s actually all in regards to the weed and the person behind it, although.
“Brett at all times had the most effective product, you recognize, so when the chance took place to come back in as an investor, I used to be like, ‘I’d like to.’ I used to be investing in Wonderbrett as a result of I simply imagine in him a lot,” Poo Bear says of Feldman.
Poo Bear can be a serious believer in Los Angeles weed tradition, which he says isn’t simply having a second now – it’s at all times been quietly dominant. It’s simply that persons are lastly beginning to perceive and acknowledge its greatness.
“I believe LA took over awhile in the past,” Poo Bear says of California’s largely pleasant competitors between regional hashish cultures. “You understand, the Bay at all times had their purps, the issues they have been well-known for. However L.A. has at all times been pushing it with these completely different flavors. It was most likely like 5 or 6 years in the past, scientists and growers simply actually began pushing the envelope in L.A. and I began to listen to much less and fewer in regards to the Bay and L.A. simply began filling that hole with consistency and selection. You see it with all of the hashish cups — L.A. wins all of the cups. It’s undoubtedly the hashish capital.”
It goes with out saying that Poo Bear thinks Wonderbrett was instrumental in making that occur and that the model will likely be a staple of L.A. hashish tradition to come back. After seeing their operation firsthand and smoking via the road, I’m able to say I agree.
