Category: Reviews

Categories
Articles Klaus Miscellaneous Reviews

Snoop Dogg On Drinking Weed: ‘It’s Like A Chill Cruise, Not A High-Speed Chase’

Last updated: August 25, 2025 12:41 pm

Javier Hasse

“I’m just giving people what they want. We’re giving them choices, somethin’ real, somethin’ that vibes with their lifestyle. It’s about creating that alternative, that go-to, for every occasion. Cannabis has been a part of our culture forever. Cannabis, these drinks, it’s all about wellness, about living your best life,” Snoop Dogg says in an exclusive interview. When he talks, he still lands his message like a direct hit on the zeitgeist, with candid words rooted in decades of cultural sway.

Earlier this year, the rap legend stepped into new territory once again. This time, it’s not music or film, but a full-on dive into functional beverages with Iconic Tonics, a portfolio of seven hemp- and cannabis-infused brands. Think of it like a supergroup album: each drink is a soloist with its own flavor, personality and vibe.

Functional Beverages On the Rise

The timing could not be sharper. Analysts value the U.S. functional beverage market at around $50 billion, with projections climbing toward $62 billion by 2027. Globally, the category already surpasses $220 billion as health-conscious consumers shift away from sugar-heavy sodas and high-proof booze.

Cannabis beverages are one of the fastest-rising segments in this mix. Forecasts suggest the global cannabis drinks market could rocket from $2 billion in 2023 to more than $117 billion by 2032, with U.S. sales alone topping $80 billion. For Snoop, it is about catching that wave early and making sure it rides in style.

Gen Z is already leading the shift, drinking 20% less alcohol than Millennials did at the same age. The result has been a surge in non-alcoholic sparkling waters, adaptogenic tonics and hemp-based seltzers. Iconic Tonics fits right into that landscape.

Behind the Brand

At the center of the project is Evan Eneman, co-founder and CEO of Iconic Tonics. His history with Snoop goes back over 15 years, starting in the music world before evolving into cannabis ventures. Together, they helped launch Casa Verde Capital in the early 2010s. By 2018, Eneman shifted toward functional drinks, sensing an opening for innovation beyond alcohol.

“We’ve been grinding for six years in an ever-changing landscape,” Eneman says. “We believe in craft, we believe in building a purposeful foundation first, and we want to uplift and inspire people with healthier options.”

That vision eventually crystallized into Iconic Tonics: a portfolio designed not around one big flagship brand but around a constellation of smaller, targeted ones. “A single brand can’t capture the full range of consumer preferences,” Eneman explains. “Growth depends on the collective shift in how people frame ‘social drinking.’”

The Iconic Tonics Lineup

Like a festival lineup, each brand in the portfolio speaks to a different audience:

  • Klaus, craft mocktails guided by mixologist Warren Bobrow
  • Herbacée, a wine-inspired creation from sommelier Jamie Evans and entrepreneur Cynthia Salarizadeh
  • Malus, a cider crafted by a master brewer
  • Lifeblood by Love Yer Brain, imagined with Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips
  • Lift, hemp-infused seltzers designed for balance and relaxation
  • Do It Fluid and Dogg lbs Doggy Spritz, Snoop’s own hemp-derived THC brands blending his cultural weight with Harmony Craft Beverages’ expertise

The idea is to cover every base, from mocktails to cider to seltzers to THC spritzers, all under one umbrella. Or, as Snoop puts it: “We went from rollin’ up joints, to munchin’ on them edibles, now we sippin’ on infused drinks. Why? We giving people options for every occasion. Most people can’t smoke everywhere, and edibles do what they do. But drinks? You sip, you feel it, nice and easy. You can pace yourself, keep it mellow, keep it smooth. It’s like a chill cruise, not a high-speed chase. Plus, it’s discreet and you can mix it up with all kinds of flavors. Iconic Tonics, that’s the next wave, believe that.”

Celebrity Power, Market Momentum

Snoop is not alone in staking out this new frontier. Other cultural heavyweights including Seth Rogen, Gwyneth Paltrow and Big Freedia have also leaned into THC- and CBD-laced drinks. But Snoop’s approach stands apart: not just a single product, but a full ecosystem of beverages built to meet consumers where they are.

And the market is following. Retailers like Total Wine & More and delivery platforms like DoorDash have begun stocking cannabis or hemp drinks, with DoorDash recently explaining its cannabis and hemp strategy.

For Snoop and Eneman, the bigger play is cultural. They want cannabis drinks to become as common at parties, concerts and home fridges as craft beer or hard seltzers. “Game recognizes game,” Eneman says. “If we do this right, it’s not just a product, it’s a movement.”

The Next Wave

The market will ultimately decide how fast cannabis beverages go mainstream. But Snoop Dogg is not hedging. By bundling multiple brands into one portfolio, he is betting that functional drinks will reshape how people celebrate, relax and socialize.

And if history is any guide, from “Gin & Juice” to Doggy Spritz, when Snoop sets the tone, culture usually follows.

This story was originally published on Forbes in March 2025 and has been updated and adapted for High Times.

Snoop Dogg On Drinking Weed: ‘It’s Like A Chill Cruise, Not A High-Speed Chase’
Categories
Klaus Reviews

Klaus: Setting the Gold Standard in Cannabis Beverages

One day, while Warren Bobrow, famously known as “The Cocktail Whisperer,” was enjoying a drink, an idea struck him that would change his whole career. For years, he had perfected the skill of creating cocktails, becoming a renowned mixologist with an extensive knowledge of spirits and taste. However, at that instant, he understood that the future of beverages lay not in alcohol but in drinks infused with cannabis. Drawing from a rich foundation in culinary creativity and a personal relationship with cannabis in his wellness regimen, Bobrow felt compelled to develop something revolutionary: a cannabis drink that matched the elegance, taste, and purpose of the best cocktails. Thus, Klaus came into existence—a brand that fuses his enthusiasm for mixology with his affection for cannabis, providing a completely fresh kind of drinking adventure.

The rise of cannabis beverages stands out as a major wellness trend leading into 2025. What was previously viewed as a niche market is now becoming mainstream, with an increasing number of individuals selecting cannabis beverages as a healthier, alternative method to relax and improve their well-being. Klaus is leading this change, establishing the benchmark for what constitutes a premium cannabis drink. Through meticulously developed recipes, premium ingredients, and an emphasis on intentional consumption, the brand provides an elevated drinking experience that emphasizes both the ritual and the outcomes.

Let’s learn how Klaus is redefining cannabis beverages with innovation, craftsmanship, and a commitment to mindful indulgence!

From Cocktails to Cannabis

Bobrow’s path to creating Klaus is anything but ordinary. A child of the 1960s, Bobrow’s career began in the film industry, where he earned a degree in film at Emerson College. But his true passion was always in food and drink. He left the film world behind to apprentice as a chef, eventually owning a successful pasta business in Charleston, South Carolina. However, when Hurricane Hugo struck, his business was lost, and he found himself starting from scratch once again.

This time, he turned to banking. Spending nearly two decades in the corporate world, he worked his way up the ladder. Yet, he describes those years as “soul-sucking” and deeply unfulfilling. “It was not one of my shining achievements in life,” he admits. But in hindsight, those years provided him with the financial security to explore his true passions when the time came. And that time came sooner than expected.

After leaving the banking world behind, Bobrow returned to the culinary and spirits industry. Today, as CEO, Chief Flavorist, and Co-Founder of Klaus, he channels his deep mixology expertise into crafting cannabis beverages that redefine the drinking experience. He also became a renowned mixologist, author, and educator, earning a spot in the prestigious Saveur 100. He also became a rum judge for the Ministry of Rum and spent years attending Tales of the Cocktail, a celebrated event for industry professionals. But it wasn’t until 2018 that he made a life-changing decision: he walked away from alcohol altogether. A regular cannabis user for over fifty years, Bobrow realized that cannabis could offer a more therapeutic and mindful way to experience a drink. That’s when the idea for the cannabis beverage brand was born.

A New Chapter in Cannabis Beverages

Klaus is not just a brand; it’s a reflection of Bobrow’s unique journey and philosophy. The company’s mascot, an ancient German “drinking” gnome, has traveled the world with him as a companion on his many adventures. Klaus represents both the joy of indulging in a good drink and the rich traditions of sharing stories over a well-crafted beverage.

The creation of the brand was Bobrow’s way of combining his expertise in mixology with his love for cannabis. Unlike many cannabis beverages on the market, Klaus is crafted with the same care and attention to detail as a fine cocktail. Bobrow wanted to create drinks that didn’t just offer the effects of cannabis but also delivered an enjoyable and sophisticated experience. “The drinks I prepare are the best they’ve ever had,” he says with pride, referencing the high standards he sets for each of his creations.

The Art and Science Behind Klaus Beverages

What truly sets Klaus apart is the marriage of art and science. Bobrow approaches cannabis-infused beverages the same way a top-tier mixologist would approach a cocktail—using the perfect combination of flavors, textures, and effects. The key ingredient is hash rosin, a cannabis extract made without solvents that retains the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes, giving Klaus its distinctive flavor and potency.

The attention to detail in the beverages is evident in every sip. Bobrow has made it a point to avoid industrialized ingredients or shortcuts, instead focusing on fresh, high-quality products that enhance the flavor and experience of each drink. His philosophy is simple: “Quality over quantity.” This commitment to excellence ensures that the product isn’t just another cannabis drink on the market—it’s an experience meant to be savored.

Overcoming Challenges and the Future of Klaus

Like many entrepreneurs, Bobrow has faced his fair share of challenges in building the brand into a successful venture. While the company has won multiple awards, including a gold at LA Spirits and several Clio Cannabis awards, he admits that the financial side of the business has been tough. “It’s all financial,” he says. “All those accolades don’t put money in your pocket.” But despite these hurdles, Bobrow remains confident about Klaus’s future. “This is going to be a massive success. I just know it.”

Looking ahead, Bobrow has big plans for the cannabis beverage company, especially in New Mexico. “We are seriously fixated on New Mexico,” he says, noting the state’s world-class cannabis industry, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. “The food, the people, the vast vistas—they all inspire my creativity.”

Impact on the Cannabis Beverage Industry

Klaus is more than just a cannabis beverage brand—it’s a movement. With a focus on quality, innovation, and responsible consumption, Klaus is setting the bar for what cannabis beverages can be. Bobrow’s expertise in mixology, his love for cannabis, and his commitment to creating the best products possible have combined to make the brand one of the most exciting names in the industry today.

As Bobrow reflects on his journey, he says, “Klaus is over one hundred years old. He was there before the trends and will be there long after others have gone back to their old life in corporate America.” Klaus, like the man behind it, is built to last. As the cannabis beverage market continues to grow, Klaus is poised to lead the way, offering a new kind of drinking experience that celebrates the best of both mixology and cannabis.

Explore More At: https://www.instagram.com/drinkklaus/

Categories
Reviews Skunk Magazine

Let’s Talk for a Moment About Edibles

I’ve just returned from a few days’ trip out to the West Coast for business, and my two visits to dispensaries were both enlightening and concerning. First of all, the concerning part, but mostly from a cost perspective, what they are made of. Well, there really isn’t any way to tell what’s in there- aside from the marketing descriptions and the catch phrases like Resin and Distillate and Tincture- all solvent-rich extraction method concentrates from OK quality flower/stems/roots/sugar leaf and trim. In other words, the not-so-hot herbs are made into high-quantity distillates for use in edibles, beverages, and concentrates. With that said, I prefer products made with Rosin. Hash Rosin is preferable for what is called Nanotechnology. When you visit dispensaries, there is no real education in place to differentiate between the two, resin/rosin.

Why is there a difference?

Accessibility of Nanotechnology is the reason why you should be enjoying the high-quality edibles produced by companies such as Zen Cannabis (available in many states). But first, what is Nanotechnology and why is it important?

Bioavailability- how quickly the edible hits you, how strongly, and how predictably is essential. I want to know that a ten mg edible is going to have a specific “feeling”, each time, every time. I don’t want to get destroyed, nor do I want to have to “double up” my dose. The following is from the Zen Cannabis website:

Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of materials at the nanoscale, typically between 1 and 100 nanometers. At this scale, materials display unique properties that differ from their larger-scale counterparts. These properties include increased surface area, enhanced reactivity, and the ability to penetrate biological membranes more efficiently. 

Nanotechnology is used across numerous industries, from electronics to medicine. In medicine, it has revolutionized drug delivery systems, enabling precise targeting of diseased cells while minimizing side effects. In the supplement industry, nanotechnology enhances the absorption and bioavailability of nutrients, ensuring that the body can utilize them more effectively.

One of the key benefits of nanotechnology is its ability to improve the bioavailability of active ingredients. Bioavailability refers to the proportion of a substance that enters the bloodstream and is available for use by the body. By breaking down substances into nanoparticles, nanotechnology ensures they are more easily absorbed by the body, leading to more effective results.

The reason why nano technology is so game changing is quality and enjoyment. No one wants an unpredictable experience. Nano technology makes each dose an experience for the betterment of your well-being. I recommend this technology and hope you will find Zen Cannabis products to be to your liking.

Typically, I don’t enjoy edibles because of their bio-availability problems. And my personal experiences baking brownies or cookies are problematic because of dosing. No one wants to get wrecked!

Fine products like the Zen Cannabis line make it easy for me to have a predictable experience and enjoyment of cannabis in more formats.

Their vegan chocolate bar, helpfully segmented into perfect little ten-milligram bricks, is delicious! Even diehard chocolate fans (like me) will be charmed. Ten milligrams is just enough to take the edge off, but never lose reality. Unless you want to eat the whole bar, then it’s up to you!

I never have trouble sleeping, but I took a couple of the NiteNite gummies the other night and don’t remember a thing. Who am I? Oh, it’s not that strong, but the overall experience was of fast, deep sleep. Isn’t that the reason why you enjoy gummies?

The flavors are true to form, and the textures are natural and fun. This is a very eclectic company that makes high-quality products that are simply made—with love. It’s obvious!

And the enlightening part?

Being able to sleep on a plane coming back from SFO without much trouble… with Zen Cannabis gummies of course!

Photos courtesy of Zen Brands.

Share Skunk Magazine With Your Friends

Let’s Talk for a Moment About Edibles
Categories
Articles Klaus Recipes Reviews

Why Flavor is important – Dreaming in flavor, one sip at a time.

Why Flavor is important - Dreaming in flavor, one sip at a time.

I’m fortunate to have a photographic memory for tastes and scents. This helps me in mixology because I’m influenced not by fast food flavors, but ones on a global basis. You see, when one spends a good amount of time traveling and not eating in American hotels, you tend to learn something about flavor and how memory fits into the equation of how flavors work together.

If you want another lazy seltzer, flavor and memory are unimportant.  So no amount of concentrate is going to make that drink palatable. But take a craft beverage, add a thoughtful amount of the best ingredients that money can buy, and combine them in a way that unlocks memories of the first time you tasted a given recipe? That is what makes the efforts of Iconic Tonics resonate with not only your taste buds but your dreams as well. And that is what a good beverage does. It offers you an alternative to industrialized experiences. I come from Craft Spirits and although I don’t drink hard alcohol any longer and haven’t in some time, I will say that the art of mixology is never forgotten, just examine the work of Jerry Thomas!  You could say he is a great influence upon me. And another person, Beach Bum Berry, who influenced a generation of Tiki Bars and party people. I am deeply influenced by the rum lore of the Caribbean and the Beach Bum Berry classic named the Zombie Cocktail is one of my favorites in the repertoire of rum soaked classics. I on the other hand have reinvented the classic, with Cannabis instead of rum- because there is nothing elegant about a Sailor’s Hangover. And a THC infused Rum punch, without the rum?  Essential. You don’t need it. You won’t miss the rum, I promise!  

A thing of Rare Beauty.

Why use the best ingredients? I believe we have a social responsibility to eat simply, drink healthier, and enjoy life- without liquor. At Iconic Tonics we are uniquely geared to the traditional reinventions of the classics of mixology and we are also able to harness your wildest dreams in flavor… To make your dreams come true as well. Why?

Because we dream in flavor and sipping our unique craft beverages and the very special ones, the ones we consult upon are magical in many ways.

We can make your dreams come alive, one sip at a time.

The only thing holding you back is your imagination!

A Simple LYB, a garage rock n’ roll, yet sailor-influenced Rum Punch- without the Rum… But with THC. And you decide how much you want.  I wouldn’t go over 25 mg per drink, but then again, that’s up to you. Cheers!

I use the Ardent to decarb my cannabis (no more burnt batches) and I recommend the Levo2 to infuse the simple syrup with a crazy amount of ouid or Delta 9.

Ingredients for five or six thirsty lost rock and roll stars… who have been too long at sea:

  • 4 oz. Grilled Pineapple Juice- Slice pineapple into rounds and grill until marked, cool and juice
  • 2 oz. Each: Freshly squeezed tangerine, mango, orange, lime, lemon, grapefruit and sour cherry juice
  • 1 oz. Orgeat – almond flavoring
  • 3 oz. Demerara Simple Syrup, infused with THC

Good ice that doesn’t taste like the fridge. *put large cube ice trays in double freezer bags, no…… it won’t be perfectly clear ice, but then again it won’t taste like last week’s garlic pasta lurking in the back of the fridge…*

Angostura Bitters

Prep:

  • Combine all juices in a Boston Shaker with the orgeat (fill the shaker ¾ of ice)
  • Shake darned hard for fifteen or so seconds
  • Double Strain into a couple old fashioned glasses with a couple of your fancy ice cubes
  • Garnish with grilled pineapple spears
  • Dot with Angostura and serve. 

How much THC? That is up to you, my friends. Don’t destroy yourself! 

Warren Bobrow is a master mixologist and author of 6 beverage books on cannabis cocktails, mocktails, and tonics. He is also the CEO & Co-Founder of Klaus – Ready-to-drink functionally-infused cocktails. With extensive expertise and creativity, Warren brings valuable insight and creativity to our team and clients at Harmony Craft Beverages. If you’re interested in working with Warren on your next beverage innovation, reach out to Harmony Craft Beverages today!

https://drinkiconictonics.com/blogs/blog/dreaming-in-flavor-one-sip-at-a-time

Categories
Articles Klaus Reviews

Snoop Dogg, Harmony Craft Bevs Partner on Functional Drink Co

The legendary rapper and entrepreneur announced a strategic investment and partnership with Craft Harmony Beverages to create Iconic Tonics.

Snoop Dogg’s beverage empire is expanding. The legendary rapper and entrepreneur announced a strategic investment and partnership with Harmony Craft Beverages today that brings along both his existing range of THC-infused beverages – Death Row Records Do It Fluid and Dogg Lbs Doggy Spritz – and his considerable cultural cache.

The deal creates a new company, Iconic TonicsIconic Tonics, that folds in both Snoop’s brands launched. in December 2023: the carbonated four-SKU line Do It Fluid in 12 oz. cans, and Dogg Lbs Doggy Spritz. Those will be integrated into Harmony’s existing functional portfolio, which includes Klaus, Malus, Love Yer Brain, and Lift.

“We’ve known [Snoop and his team] for a long time, and really this gives a much broader, and I would say, deeper exposure for Snoop in the functional beverage space,” said Evan Eneman, Co-founder and CEO of Iconic Tonics.

“I’ve always been about innovation, and functional beverages are the next frontier,” said Snoop Dogg in a press statement. “People want drinks that do more than just taste good – they want benefits, and they want choices. Harmony Craft Beverages has been pioneering this movement, and together now as Iconic Tonics, we’re bringing something fresh to the table. This is more than a brand – it’s a lifestyle.”

Beyond his personal expertise in all things cannabis, Snoop’s arrival brings “more mainstream viability” to the emerging THC drinks category, said Eneman. Harmony’s portfolio reflects that approach: partners like acclaimed mixologist Warren Bobrow (with Klaus) and Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips (Love Yer Brain) have unique reach with different audiences and use occasions, all under the auspices of functionality.

“Snoop is really endemic in culture. Wayne is deeply endemic in creativity and art. And so these are people that represent I would say more movements and cultural shifts,” said Eneman. “Them together, plus someone like Warren, it just brings a lot of these, you know, endemic understanding and global influence together.”

Snoop’s prowess as a businessman and marketer can come at a cost; some recent CPG ventures, including an RTD coffee and an ambitious cereal brand now in litigation, fizzled quickly, while his other successful projects (Gin and Juice, Still G.I.N.) put more demands on his time. Eneman described Snoop’s participation as a “50-50 partner” in Iconic Tonics, working across the full portfolio, and noted the rapper “will be active in the ways that he can incorporate [the brand] into what he’s doing going forward.

The products themselves are available mainly both online (DoorDash) and in stores like Total Wine & More and Woodman’s Markets.

“We want to reach consumers in a way that they’re used to, having optionality based on occasion or day part or experience they’re looking for. That’s how we’ve built our brands. That’s how we built our experiences,” said Eneman. “And it’s early for us, but we’re seeing that bearing out in the ways that consumers are reacting.”

https://www.bevnet.com/news/2025/snoop-dogg-harmony-craft-bevs-partner-on-functional-drink-co
Categories
Reviews Skunk Magazine

To Give the Finest? Why Not Ask Me?

I haven’t presented a proper gift-giving list in a few years, maybe because every day is a gift with much fine cannabis from my travels at my disposal. Or, more accurately, I just didn’t get around to it until now.

I like to give cannabis to others, just because it was a really long time- in my life at least, that I went without great cannabis; most of it wasn’t much of anything worth smoking at all. That was during a particularly difficult period here in New Jersey before establishing myself in the cannabis industry. The only time I could get really good weed was when I traveled outside of my home state, up to Maine or Massachusetts, or out west.
Unfortunately, it’s still that way. I’ve yearned for great cannabis from NJ, but it’s going to be a lot longer until curing becomes an art instead of just a science and a profit-based industry.

This is just my opinion. Sorry to be so harsh.

Here is my list for gift-giving any time during the year. Because you deserve what I’ve been smoking (and eating!)

A Golden State; California. If you don’t know about it, then the first thing I’d want to do is hop on an airplane and get yourself out to Redding, California. The cannabis grown here is world-class, and the water is pristine. I dig it in every way, especially the attention to detail in the grow rooms. Clean doesn’t even start to teach what goes on and what doesn’t go on. First of all, the water. Pure and clean from Mt. Shasta. Nothing is added. I think that says it all. Fresh, exceptional, non-manipulated, gorgeous cannabis grown with love and what I say is extreme hands-on attention. What A Golden State has achieved is ultra-fine smoke, a unique and deeply pleasurable journey.

Verdes; New Mexico. Not many have been to the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico, and that’s too bad because I truly believe that some of the finest cannabis in the land is grown in this magical place. The vertically integrated dispensary named Verdes is doing something I can only say is diverse and gorgeous. I’ve tasted my way through many of their offerings, and I cannot find anything that is cured or dried out. It’s tough to say when the humidity hovers around 5% or less for most of the year. Whatever their secrets are, their craft cannabis speaks for itself. I’m seriously impressed by their carefully nurtured/indoor-grown expressions—especially the Soap. I still have a couple of nugs from my last trip out to NM. Great work.

Dutch Bliss frozen custard; New Mexico. This is the finest live hash rosin frozen custard that I’ve ever tasted. Terpene forward, each bite is a revelation of excitement. It’s like stepping into a Belgian ice cream shop with high butterfat content delicacies lighting up the room with every elegant scoop. I’m thrilled to share the lush potent flavors like the “Klaus” Mezzrole collaboration (I created the recipe) to the richly textured European style chocolate and vanilla offerings built by cannabis alchemist and master flavorist, Josh Hurwitz.

Baked Chicken Farms; New Mexico. No, they don’t bake chicken there, but the history of this venerable place supersedes any cannabis grow that I’ve seen in New Mexico. Because it actually was a nearly self-sustaining chicken farm for dozens o! The entire place is huge. I’m a massive fan of their carefully tended flowers, primarily because the quality of their indoor-grown cannabis is par with the best in the land. And they have the consensus to prove it. But don’t let the awards say it all because the flowers themselves take you to a place of quality, not just commerce. Although commerce is essential, the quality of the end result is stunningly beautiful and really gets me “baked.” I especially love their Doobie Ounce Pack, which stuffs twenty-eight perfectly formed one-gram joints into a tiny nitrogen-filled can. No bouquet at all escapes the can, making it extremely travel-friendly. Listen up, Texans! And which strain excites me? Well, I haven’t tasted through their entire lineup yet, but the Cromagnon Man gave me the impetus to clean my entire house and mow all the lawns in the snow. Motivation indeed! Their Cock-Tails *Cannabis infused libations* are lush and pertinent. A touch on the sweeter side, their flavors will entice and charm the inquiring imbiber who likes something both unusual and delectable. Baked Chicken Farms isn’t just making scrambled eggs! They are writing an entirely new chapter in the annals of ultra-quality cannabis memories.

Carver Family Farm; New Mexico. Located in a nondescript office park— maybe that’s the idea. Carver Family Farm is turning out exceptional work. Using no-till, natural soil, hand trimmed and organically grown. Their hand-groomed cannabis doesn’t resemble any “indoor” cannabis that I’ve ever savored… because they don’t grow in coir, nor hydroponically in the fluid. What they do is utilize their square footage to grow exceptional cannabis that speaks of the outdoors with the passion of an indoor grow. And you’d never imagine that world-class cannabis is being grown and sold in an office park! Triangle Kush charms!

Royal Road; New Mexico. Founded and operated by Corrina Miramontes, this ultra-tuned-in “healing space” is my idea of deep inner change. I want to spend my time learning about the finest outdoor (and some well-chosen indoor) grown cannabis in the state of New Mexico and I want to enlighten myself about the plant and her magical healing powers. There is an art gallery; murals on the outside walls that draw you in. And a most marvelous outdoor space is out back. Here is a unique place meant to chill the soul and educate the mind. Under the stars, surrounded by healing spirits. As many dispensaries as there are in New Mexico, this one really resonated with me. Maybe it’s the owner. Fierce, intellectual, and generous with her time, Corrina offers something that most dispensaries don’t offer. And that in itself is a comforting sense of place in the universe.

The Grower Circle. The first time I went to New Mexico, I was introduced to a craft grower named The Grower Circle. I am a big fan of their efforts, and I wish I had more time to dig deeply into their terroir-driven offerings. Their Raw OG and Cosa Nostra stick out in my memory as juicy, not too sweet, and deeply stony—just the place I want to be if given the opportunity again.

Fourteen Counties. Yes, they’re doing Temple Ball Hash in Massachusetts and if you’re ever in this state, I deeply recommend their traditional and more modern offerings. Frenchy would be proud of their efforts in the lexicon of temple ball hash. I’m a huge fan of what they have achieved.

Made in Xiaolin Cannagars. Founded in Colorado and now available in New York State, the craft work that Chris Louie has attained through his exceptional attention to detail and the acquisition of the finest flowers and adjuncts make for an ultra-luxury experience. The quality of workmanship is without compare. Details like the gold leaf and 100-dollar bill rice paper make for a very impressive compliment. But what’s inside is the culmination of decades of blood, sweat, and tears. Success in small ways. Quality over quantity. Made in Xiaolin!

Share Skunk Magazine With Your Friends

To Give the Finest? Why Not Ask Me?
Categories
Articles Interviews Reviews

Master mixologists reveal the secrets of cannabis drink recipes

The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and trees are back to swishing their leaves in the wind. It is official: summer is on the way. This means it’s time to fire up the grill and host cherished friends and family. For some, that means blending up some margs, and others may pull out the cannabis drinks.

The easiest way to infuse a gathering is to grab some weed seltzers and call it a day, but some may want to shake up their own craft cocktail for the occasion. There are cannabis bartending bibles available, complete with drink recipes and other valuable knowledge, but there’s also the possibility of creating something new.

Perhaps inspiration is growing in the herb garden this time of year or a luscious fruit at the farmer’s market tempting you to blend new flavors. Whatever the inspiration, maybe it’s time to run with it. Those who are new to mixing up a THC cocktail may be looking around for advice. Well, it’s right here.

Cannabis drink mixing advice from master mixologists

There’s no one better to give advice to newbie cannabis mixologists than the experts. Jamie Evans has authored multiple cannabis drinks cookbooks and contributed to acclaimed food, cannabis, and beverage publications. As for advice for first-timers, she’s all about leaning into the flavor.

“When crafting cannabis mocktails and other infused drinks at home, there’s bound to be an herbaceous taste,” Evans said to GreenState. “Knowing this, a tip that I like to recommend is to not mask the flavor of cannabis but complement it instead. One of the best ways to do this is by incorporating terpene-inspired ingredients often found in cannabis’s aroma and flavor profiles.”

make cannabis drinks
Jamie Evans // Photo by Monica Lo

Over the years, many edible brands and infusion recipes have worked to hide the weed flavor as if it were off-putting. Evans and many others in the weed community have shifted into a mindset that the many smells and flavors of weed are a gift rather than a curse. Flavor is of the utmost importance, but so is dosing.

Angel Belman is the beverage director of Original Ninfa’s, a historic Texas bar and restaurant that recently added the infused Tranquilita Margarita to its menu. He has learned some THC dosing lessons as he figures out how to merge 20 years of bartending experience with cannabis mixology.

“My best advice is to start with a low dose and to go slow. Pace yourself, observe how you feel, and take note as you increase consumption to have a general understanding of the guest experience while remembering every person’s tolerance is unique,” Belman said.

make cannabis drinks
Angel Belman // Photo by Becca Wright

People often want to enjoy one or two cocktails on a night out, but if it’s dosed high, that’s probably not happening. This is why Warren Bobrow, co-founder of Klaus beverages, regrets the doses in his original recipes in Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails, and Tonics, the first cannabis bartender bible. He echoed Belman’s advice.

“Start slow. Don’t destroy your friends. Don’t be like me. I took too much cannabis in each drink; they can catch up on you,” Bobrow shared in a brief email exchange.

The master mixologist has a point: dosing is the most important aspect of cannabis drinks. But once that’s figured out, the flavor is key.

make cannabis drinks
Warren Bobrow

Best flavors for weed drinks

Leaning into the herbaceous quality of the plant is preferred over masking it with sweetness or robust flavor notes. This requires an understanding of the terpenes and compounds in the product infusing the drinks. Learning about these aspects of the flower, syrup, tincture, or other weed product can help the novice bartender key into the flavors best paired with their drink recipe.

Once the terps are clocked, it’s time to plan the other components of the bev. Evans shared her favorite weed-friendly flavors in mocktail recipes.

“Some of the best ingredients include fresh citrus juice, tropical fruits, fresh berries, fresh melon juice, mint, lavender, cinnamon, black pepper, mixed herbs, fresh dill, and sometimes ingredients with savory, earthy flavors. All of these ingredients will blend effortlessly with cannabis flavors.”

Novice bartenders looking to get creative may want to start with a classic drink recipe and riff off of that. Earthy flavors are excellent in a bloody mary, and sweet strains would taste divine in a spritzer.

Jake Wall, chief innovation officer of Maison Bloom, recommends finding recipe inspiration in the wide world of gin. The dynamic liquor can complement many classic cocktail flavors and inventive new creations, much like weed. Gin drinks commonly use a wide range of ingredients from lavender to orange peel, vanilla pods to cucumber.

“Gin, similar to cannabis, is largely informed by the similar aromatic and taste-forward compounds that, in our flower-powered world, is where terpenes step in. Whether it is a bramble or a take on a gimlet and everything in between, look to the world of historic and creative gin-based recipes and hack them with all the best plant magic you can. You can thank me later,” Wall said.

make cannabis drinks
Jake Wall

Cannabis mixology is all about balance

Finding a recipe that uses a liquor that plays into the complex flavors of various cannabis products makes it simple to plug cannabis in place of the liquor without much flavor adjustment. However not every weed drink is going to be a play on a gin drink, and that’s where balancing comes in.

The last piece of the puzzle is the final step to balance the flavor. The infusion method may come into play here. At Ninfa’s Belman noticed the oil tincture required a sweetener like an agave because it added bitterness to the drink.

Evans also pointed out that the best start materials deliver the clearest, fresh flavor.

“Quality cannabis mocktails and cocktails begin with quality cannabis—pay close attention to expiration dates to best gauge freshness,” she said.“If the packaging dates are old, chances are the terpenes have diminished, and the phytocannabinoids have oxidized, which is not ideal when preparing cannabis infusions at home (tinctures, simple syrup, bitters). Choose the freshest products for the best outcome.”

And above all else, follow Evans’s golden rule: “Don’t mask the flavor of cannabis, complement it.”

Master mixologists reveal the secrets of cannabis drink recipes
Categories
Articles Reviews Skunk Magazine

GARDEN STATE BOTANICALS, NOT YOUR USUAL NEW JERSEY DISPENSARY


Arecent visit to the sparkling new cannabis dispensary reveals something different in New Jersey. What sets Garden State Botanicals apart from its peers is Sun Grown Cannabis, which is propagated right here in New Jersey.

The other day, I visited Garden State Botanicals and saw a well-designed dispensary with a twist. That twist would lead me to the fine flowers grown by Brute’s Roots in South Jersey. Finally, someone is growing cannabis with a deeper meaning. Sun grown flower just tastes differently. Sure, it has less THC than many of the other name brands on the market, and that is just the charm. You might not know, but many of us who utilize cannabis for medical reasons find that higher THC cannabis is not as viable as low THC cannabis in the treatment and alleviation of certain ills, such as my eyes. High THC gives me a headache and raises my eye pressure. Lower THC, like the strains grown by Brute’s Roots offers the healing I require- and the drive down to North Brunswick is not entirely too far from my house.

cannabis world news industry business author with two ladies
Sam, Warren, and Taleia

For the good stuff- I’ll travel far and wide to attain the kind.
Thank you to Garden State Botanicals for carrying Brute’s Roots. What a nice surprise!
Real Sun Grown Cannabis in New Jersey? Yes! More to follow in this regard, with a possible road trip in the coming weeks.

Garden State Botanicals is super easy to get to. I don’t know why my GPS didn’t take me to Rutgers, then down 18, but no matter… They are really easy to find from all over central New Jersey. They are right next door to a Dunkin and a Baskin Robbins, so you cannot miss it from the street. There is plenty of dedicated parking as well, so no worries there. And for medical folks like me, you can show up at 10:00 and have the whole store basically to yourself. That kind of service is rare in any state. And what kind budtenders!

cannabis world news industry business now open sign on front of dispensary
Garden State Botanicals

They do have a friendly and knowledgeable staff, as I found out myself. Their menu is super easy to read, and there is even a terpene-scenting bar for those who might want to deepen their intellectual cannabis experience. A well-chosen selection of cannabis accessories, hand-crafted pipes, glass bongs, and rolling papers- including their new hemp blunt wrappers- fills out the room with their comfortable seating area and real plants (unfortunately not cannabis ones), giving off healing energy to the gleaming, sun-filled room. For a strip mall pad, this is a very inviting space that is modern, yet not cold in any way; it’s warm and inviting. A plus again for the medical community and the non-stoner, read “older” clientele, you have dedicated hours, and the dispensary is also fully recreational- but most importantly is time for medical patients to shop without the crush of other recreational customers. It’s a nice touch. And appreciated by us older folk.

Did I say that the store is really easy to get to? If you are over 21 and are at nearby Rutgers- you’re in like Flint!

I wish them the very best and thank you for the generous swag from your brimming shelves and larder.

Follow on social media: https://brutesroots.com/

Garden State Botanicals, Not Your Usual New Jersey Dispensary
Categories
5 Questions Reviews Skunk Magazine Tasting Notes

LEX CORWIN OF STONE ROAD CANNABIS: HIS SUCCESS FROM PASSION

To say that I’m a fan of Lex Corwin’s success is a huge understatement. From the very moment that I met Lex out in Los Angeles, I knew that this was a man who is following his own dreams. And what vivid dreams they are. From Connecticut to La La, the land of dreams! And what a trajectory he has achieved. While others with formidable provenance have crashed and burned, Lex continues to open new markets and persevere in his chosen art. The art of gorgeous cannabis that smokes just like his personality.
Deeply ebullient!

When Lex got into weed it was still illegal in the East coast. I know, because I’m a tad older and I’ve struggled with this illegality since the early 1970’s. Not only was cannabis illegal, but it was and still is, deeply stigmatized by the old school who run things in the suburbs. Lex has transcended this stigma by developing his own path in life, away from this stifling environment of suburban suburbia. In the vividly glowing sunshine of California and now New Mexico, Lex is achieving success that he probably envisioned in “High” School and now it’s the thing that drives his life. Gourmet Cannabis that tells a deeper story. A story of personal success, individual entrepreneurship, and intricate passion. Cheers! WB.

Warren Bobrow: It’s been a while since we’ve come across each other professionally. Hope all has been well. From the looks of it, your company is growing exponentially. That’s good! Always proud of your success, being an East Coast person. What have you been working on? I’ve always been a fan of your flower; how do you maintain your demand for excellence?

Lex Corwin: Always a pleasure Warren. We were due for a catch-up!
We have been busy! We are working on a ton of exciting projects – this week we launched in New Mexico (our fifth market) and solidified our partner for our launch in NY.
Sabrina, my coo, and I are also working on bringing an edible to market in CA. Exciting but challenging times. Besides that, we are working on a few other states – Missouri, Montana, and Mississippi. While of course continuing to expand and improve our farm and products in the ever-changing CA marketplace.

WB: Please tell me about your new project in New Mexico. I love the cannabis there, btw. I’m a huge Albuquerque cannabis fan. I believe there is real benefit in growing cannabis in natural soil, at altitudes over six thousand feet. And the cannabis tastes so good in this zero-humidity environment! What are you looking for in your pheno hunts to make your New Mexico flowers the best you know? Any pro tips for my readers?

LC: We are so pleased to finally launch in New Mexico. It’s been a wild ride! We partnered with our Oklahoma partners, Stashhouse Distro, to bring the brand to NM in our first revenue-sharing deal. We are excited about this deal structure because it gives us a lot more control over the products we bring to market and our supply chain in general. We know exactly what is coming to market and when, rather than our prior structure of a purely licensing deal where we had little visibility into the products going to market.
I agree the flower is fantastic in NM and there are some really talented growers based there. In terms of our pheno hunt – we stuck with what we know – strains that are bright, fruity, sour, and delicious. We have a formula we like to follow in CA and all our states and didn’t want to deviate from the genetics we knew people loved and expected from us.

WB: What are your six-and twelve-month goals for Stone Road in New Mexico?

LC: We really hit the ground running in NM – considering this is our fifth market we knew exactly how to approach this launch. In other states, it took us 2-3 months to get product to the market whereas in NM we had fresh products hitting the shelf in less than a month after our last packaging components arrived. Record time for us!
So, in six months we’d love to be in 50 stores considering our supply chain is fairly mature and developed. I think we can handle it. And then in 12 months we’d love to be in over 100 stores. A large number indeed – but with our fantastic partners I believe this is attainable.

WB: Do you have a favorite city in New Mexico? Maybe a favorite restaurant? Where? Food type?

LC: I love Santa Fe. It’s so special. It’s so spiritual and just drop-dead stunning. The food is also amazing and the locals warm and friendly. Fun fact: it’s also the oldest capital city in the US.
My aunt lived there for 9 years so I was lucky enough to visit a few times. We had a great time visiting all the local galleries and walking the trails by the river.
We had a number of sensational meals, but I vividly remember Arroyo Vino. They have a large garden on site, so the produce is top-notch. Plus, the hospitality was so warm and welcoming – I look forward to going back!

WB: I know this is a broad reaching question, but what is your passion?

LC: My passion is finding joy in life. I love my job, surfing, and just hanging out with friends and family. In this tumultuous industry – finding and holding joy is extremely important. While I work pretty much 24/7, I always find time to take trips and explore the world. I figure as long as my job is crazy stressful, I might as well enjoy the journey!!

Tasting Notes for a pre-roll joint from Stone Road in California

Birthday Cake and THCA Diamonds and Hash

Nose: Tangles of tangy/sour oven roasted fruit lead into the aroma of freshly sliced, California fruit salad, laden with citrus zest and sea salt slicked shells. Crushed minerals in the nose bring the anticipated results, laughter ensues and the deeper experience of hash and the rush from the THCA Diamonds make this not your usual pre-rolled joint. It is a thing of rare beauty.

Mouthfeel: Brown Butter, sizzling hazelnuts, and crunchy French Toast soldiers dripping in steaming hot dark maple syrup. Truly patient curing at work here, no coughing at all!

Stone: This is not your beginner’s cannabis, so plan accordingly. You can smoke the entire joint or share it with friends- it’s up to you. The indulgence of smoking a one gram joint alone, by yourself…., well that is best left to the studied professionals. Cannabis as elegant and carefully nurtured as this brings pleasure and craft to the forefront and teaches us a little bit about the humility of Lex Corwin’s success in every meted puff.

Follow online: https://stoneroad.org/

Feature photo credit: Morgan Leigh English

Read More Here At Skunk Magazine: https://skunkglobalmarijuanaculture.com/ungategorized/lex-corwin-of-stone-road-cannabis-his-success-from-passion/

Categories
Reviews Skunk Magazine Tasting Notes

VERITAS CANNABIS SOUR DIESEL IS A COMBINATION OF SUPER SKUNK + CHEMDAWG. COMMENTARY AND TASTING NOTES

It’s a Sativa by nature, but sometimes it feels more Indica-leaning- but certainly not like hybrids… It reminds me of the fine cannabis that I used to get in southern Maine back in the mid-1980s. This was when I first discovered really fine East Coast weed. I was reared on mostly West Coast flowers early on. It was that or the “whatever we could get,” which was nothing to write home about in the 1970s and 1980s. Unfortunately for me, whatever we could get still remains vivid in my imagination; it was that brick stuff, brown and pressed. But the strains that taught me something were grown by really passionate people who loved the plant.

Smoking these early craft strains was like nothing I had ever experienced before, especially since the overall quality level of the swag I’d get in NJ was pretty low in the 1970s! This was until someone introduced me to New York Sour Diesel at a nightclub in NYC circa the mid-1980s. Nothing else smelled like that. Like sour cream, lemon curd, European gasoline, and roasted orange zest. To this very day, every time I smell Sour Diesel or the myriad of incarnates, I’m blasted back to that first hit of Sour Diesel and my experience of that day, so many years ago.

The Veritas Cannabis Sour Diesel reminds me of the years of wandering on the streets in Boston if you knew the right people of course… It’s what we smoked during weekends up in the New Hampshire mountains or up on MDI in Maine. It was this famous, now infamous Sour Diesel—probably grown in Western Massachusetts—or otherwise it was Blueberry, from Southern Maine. And that was it. And I’m pretty happy of those years of smoking flowers that remind me now of those years because they were formative in my experience of smoking truly gourmet/craft cannabis. Something that would follow me forward. This is quite important to me.

Every time that I smoke Sour Diesel I’m brought back to a day before yesterday, and it forces me to re-examine the flavors that are known as the classics. What Veritas has achieved is remarkable in this regard. I would like to make mention of a couple things before I dive into the tasting notes. Cannabis that is grown and cured in high altitude and dry places like Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada…smoking this cannabis I’ve discovered a big something shocking. (At least to me…) I react far differently with cannabis grown and cured at sea level. It’s just a different experience. I’ve done some experimentation on this axiom, purchased cannabis that has been grown at 6000 ft plus and opened the container at nearly sea level with lots of New Jersey humidity filling the room, well it’s an entirely different experience. In a plus way, certainly not a minus way.

Something biophysical takes place by growing and curing in a carefully engineered humidity adjusted space, but what I experienced at sea level was something completely different. I’m very impressed by the flavor and terpenes I sensed at 650 ft. instead of 6500 ft. The cannabis almost reacted like cryo-cured flower, dried, perfectly cured, and aged in a fraction of the time, leaving an end result that is encapsulated in time and space. And when I smoked it at 650 ft. with lots of humidity? What I experience is bliss…

Veritas Fine Cannabis: Sour Diesel

Nose: It’s that baby skunk that’s lurking under your bedroom window. Someone stuck a couple gallons of buttermilk under there too, the sour-lactate rich liquid is stuck up inside my nose. Coming into view, snapping a canna-flower in my fingers, I smell crushed, juniper wood smoked chiles, a tangle of caramelized lemongrass shards and slivers of just snipped back yard chives, sauteed in brown butter. This is friendly cannabis that layers the inside of my head with softly folded whipped cream and unleashes the nasal driven memories that say springtime in Portland, Maine-1986. The overall nose is sometimes salty, sometimes sweet, sometimes sour, leading into the funky, but certainly- always memorable.

Mouthfeel: Veritas in Colorado has re-created the classic mouthfeel of Sour Diesel that some would say exemplify the early cannabis strains like New York Sour Diesel. Laden with European Petrol, Kerosene, and Baby Skunk, it’s unmistakable. Others say the classic Sour Diesel smells like citrus juices and cracked white pepper. I think it’s a combination of Pan-Asian spices, baby skunk and kerosine lamp oil. Citrus oils and the act of licking wet shells at the beach in the summer make your palate sing.

Veritas Sour Diesel unlocks my mind after inhalation. Remarkable in the depth of the experience. The mouthfeel is rich, savory, and full-bodied. After a couple small hits, I’m ready to experience the Veritas Sour Diesel in my Chill Bong- instead of my usual one hitter. The reason why I want to share the Chill Bong with you is the cooling experience that you feel when using this masterful piece of cannabis accoutrement.

Stone: This is not cannabis for the beginner. Of course, you have to start on the really strong stuff in your own way, but the pro-tip is take your time. There is no rush in cannabis, all those magical cultivars, so many that I forget which one is my favorite. I will say that Sour Diesel of Veritas Fine Cannabis is elegant and charming. It also gets me to another place with alacrity. There is no lack of amusement when imbibing Sour Diesel from Veritas Fine Cannabis. This is a Sativa that acts to help you get the job done. Scrub the tub, wash all the kitchen floors, take out the trash that is lurking in the hallway. There aren’t enough hours in the day because you’ll be full of steam to get all the things behind you and still other tasks to be hatched.

If Veritas Sour Diesel doesn’t take you to the next Bardo, I don’t know what will. Ok, you may not discover DF Tram on your own personal musical journey, but it did stimulate your inquisitive nature. This nug of perfectly cured cannabis is the Sour Diesel of my dreams. It takes me places that money can’t buy. Experience gleaned from emotion and being able to taste great cannabis like Veritas teaches me lessons not yet taught.

Cheers.

https://chill.store/

https://www.veritascannabis.com/strain-library

Photo Credit: Warren Bobrow

Veritas Cannabis Sour Diesel is a combination of Super Skunk + Chemdawg. Commentary and Tasting Notes