What can you say about Northern Lights #5 that has not already been said since it first arrived around 40 years ago? It entered into the Cannabis Cup competition in 1989 and dominated the event, winning in ’89, ’90, and ’92. This legendary strain has been a favored cross for many of the greats that followed it. The legends of its genesis include “The Indian” from one of the many islands west of Seattle who grew 11 plants, which he named Northern Lights #1-11 with #1 and #5 being the picks of the litter. #5 was discovered some years later by Neville Schoenmaker, a famous cannabis breeder from Australia, somewhere in the early 1980s. Neville took female clones of all the plants back with him to The Netherlands and started crossbreeding it for the Seed Bank. As with most legendary strains you can find any number of seed sellers claiming to have various offshoots of the original.
Dank Research has been exploring many of the legends including Puna Buddaz, Durban, Chocolate Thai, and this round dropped some NL#5.
“I grow in living soil with occasional teas, under LED lights. The seeds were sent to me from Greg McAllister, #oldemarine, who along with the Seattle NL crew created the strain in the early 80s. These seeds are from BEFORE they were sent to Holland.”
The buds are tight and the taste is rich and pleasing. Pinene is certainly up front, fruity (terpinolene), floral, slight earthy undertones (Myrcene). Peppery aftertaste. There is no hint of the diesel flavor of Limonine. This could easily be a daily dose just based on the satisfying flavor profile. But as with any quality smoke the real measure is where it takes your head. This NL#5 takes me right where I want to be, though I might forget where that was or how I got there. A nice, long lasting stone that seems to build like a slow motion avalanche and had me hold a lighter in each hand trying to remember if I was going to light the bowl or the joint.
What can you say about Northern Lights #5 that has not already been said since it first arrived around 40 years ago? It entered into the Cannabis Cup competition in 1989 and dominated the event, winning in ’89, ’90, and ’92. This legendary strain has been a favored cross for many of the greats that followed it. The legends of its genesis include “The Indian” from one of the many islands west of Seattle who grew 11 plants, which he named Northern Lights #1-11 with #1 and #5 being the picks of the litter. #5 was discovered some years later by Neville Schoenmaker, a famous cannabis breeder from Australia, somewhere in the early 1980s. Neville took female clones of all the plants back with him to The Netherlands and started crossbreeding it for the Seed Bank. As with most legendary strains you can find any number of seed sellers claiming to have various offshoots of the original.
