Saturday, January 17, 2026

DNA Genetics: The Transatlantic Bridge

DNA Genetics: The Transatlantic Bridge

DNA Genetics Breeder Review

Founded: 2004 Founders: Don Morris & Aaron Yarkoni (Don & Aaron) Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands / Los Angeles, California Specialty: Cup Winners, OG Kush Genetics, Terpene Innovation Reputation Tier: S-Class (The Most Awarded)

🌉 The Executive Summary

If Barney's Farm is the Dutch Master, DNA Genetics is the American Invasion.

In the early 2000s, the Amsterdam cannabis scene was stagnant, dominated by "White" strains (White Widow) and hazes. Enter Don Morris and Aaron Yarkoni, two breeders from Los Angeles. Fleeing the hostile legal environment of California, they moved to Amsterdam in 2004, bringing with them a suitcase full of cutting-edge West Coast genetics that Europe had never seen: real OG Kush, Sour Diesel, and unknown exotics.

The impact was immediate and devastating to the status quo. DNA Genetics won the High Times Cannabis Cup in their first year with LA Confidential. Since then, they have won over 200 awards worldwide, making them arguably the most decorated seed bank in history. They are the reason "OG Kush" became a household name in Europe.

🧬 The Differentiator: The "Reserva Privada" Model

The exclusive club within the club.

DNA Genetics did not just breed their own plants; they created a platform for others. They launched a sub-label called Reserva Privada (Private Reserve).

  • The Problem: Many elite California breeders (like the creators of OG Kush or Sour Diesel) wanted to sell seeds but couldn't attach their names due to US federal laws.

  • The Solution: DNA Genetics created a "safe harbor" in Amsterdam. They took these elite American cuts, protected the identity of the original breeders, and sold them under the "Reserva Privada" label.

  • The Result: This allowed the world access to the "Holy Trinity" of American weed—OG Kush, Sour Diesel, and Chemdawg—in stabilized seed form for the first time.

🚜 Breeding Methodology: The Terpene Shift

DNA Genetics is credited with shifting the global market from "High THC" to "High Terpenes."

  1. The Tangie Revolution: Collaborating with Crockett Family Farms, DNA introduced Tangie. It smelled so overwhelmingly of oranges that it forced judges to stop rating weed based on looks alone and start rating on flavor.

  2. Selection Intensity: Don and Aaron are famous for their "Trash Can" philosophy. If a phenotype is 9/10, it goes in the trash. They only keep the 10s. This is why strains like Kosher Kush win Cups year after year—they are genetically undeniable.

  3. Partnerships: They do not work in isolation. They have massive strategic partnerships (Crockett, Marimberos, etc.) that give them access to a gene pool larger than almost any single breeder.

🏆 The Strain Catalog (33+ Cultivars)

DNA Genetics has a massive library, often split between their main line, the Reserva Privada line, and their Sorbet line. Below is the authoritative list.

The "Hall of Fame" (Must Grow)

  1. LA Confidential: The strain that started it all. pure Indica. 100% heavy, psychedelic stone.

  2. Chocolope: Their Sativa masterpiece. Chocolate/Coffee notes. The ultimate wake-and-bake.

  3. Tangie: The orange bomb. Perhaps the most flavorful strain ever created. (Crockett Collab).

  4. Kosher Kush: The first strain to win the Cannabis Cup twice in a row. Ungodly potency.

  5. Holy Grail Kush: Kosher Kush x OG #18. Scored a perfect score in the Hybrid Cup.

  6. Lemon Skunk: The mother of 1000 lemon strains. Zesty, uplifting, and high yielding.

  7. Martian Mean Green: A classic vibrant green strain with a unique "sharks breath" smell.

  8. Cannalope Haze: A melon-flavored Haze that finishes incredibly fast (8 weeks).

  9. 24k Gold: (Kosher Tangie). Mixes the citrus of Tangie with the sedation of Kosher Kush.

  10. The OG #18: A specific "sour" phenotype of OG Kush selected for yield and fuel taste.

The Reserva Privada (West Coast Elites)

  1. Skywalker Kush: Mazar x Blueberry x OG. One of the highest yielding OGs in existence.

  2. Kandy Kush: OG Kush x Trainwreck. Sweet lemon candy flavor with a heavy stone.

  3. Strawberry Banana: Banana Kush x Bubble Gum. Famous for dumping hash resin.

  4. Sour Diesel: The stabilized version of the East Coast classic.

  5. Purple Wreck: Purple Urkle x Trainwreck. Fast flowering, purple, and potent.

  6. Confidential Cheese: LA Confidential x Exodus Cheese. Funky, heavy, and loud.

  7. Cole Train: Jasmine x Trainwreck. A silver-hued strain with a spicy floral aroma.

  8. Tora Bora: LA Confidential x X18 Pure Pakistani. A pure sedative "lock-down" strain.

  9. Silver Kush: Silver Bubble x OG #18. A Sativa-dominant hybrid with nerve-calming effects.

  10. Sleestack: Shrom x Martian Mean Green. High resin content, excellent for extraction.

The "Sorbet" Line (The Cream Series)

  1. Gelato Sorbet: Gelato 33 x Sorbet. Smoother and creamier than standard Gelato.

  2. Sorbet 4: GG4 x Sorbet. Adds a creamy finish to the harsh glue profile.

  3. Kosher Sorbet: Softens the blow of Kosher Kush, making it more "daytime" friendly.

  4. Double Stuffed Sorbet: Do-Si-Dos x Sorbet. Incredible frost and density.

  5. Banana Sorbet: Banana OG x Sorbet. Tastes like a ripe banana milkshake.

  6. Bakers Delight: Cookies x Sorbet. Sweet, doughy, and very easy to grow.

  7. Blood Orange Sorbet: Tangie x Sorbet. Creamy citrus instead of sharp zest.

  8. Strawberry Sorbet: Heirloom Strawberry x Sorbet. A candy-sweet profile.

  9. Triple Scoop: Super Silver x Grape LA x Sorbet. Complex, fruity, and hazy.

  10. Sour Sorbet: Sour Diesel x Sorbet. Known as "The Smoothest Diesel."

The Modern & Autos

  1. DNA Cake: Their entry into the Wedding Cake craze. High THC, gas and dough.

  2. Miss USA: Strawberry Banana x Kosher Kush. The "best of America" in one seed.

  3. 60 Day Lemon Auto: A lightning-fast autoflower that actually tastes like lemon.

  4. Cataract Kush: LA Confidential x OG Kush. Named because it makes your eyes heavy.

  5. Golden Berry: Kushberry x Jew Gold. A massive yielder with blueberry tones.

  6. Challah Bread: Bakers Delight x Kosher Kush. A savory, dough-heavy masterpiece.

❓ FAQ: DNA Genetics

Q: Are DNA Genetics and Reserva Privada the same company? A: Effectively, yes. Reserva Privada is a sub-brand managed by DNA Genetics. It was originally created to protect the identity of American breeders, but today, they are sold side-by-side on the DNA website.

Q: Is "Tangie" a DNA Genetics strain? A: Technically, it is a Crockett Family Farms creation, but DNA Genetics is the exclusive distributor and partner that made it famous. You will often see it listed as "DNA Genetics Tangie."

Q: What is their most potent strain? A: Kosher Kush. It consistently tests between 25%–29% THC and has won "Best Indica" multiple times for a reason. It is widely regarded as the strongest OG Kush variant on the market.

Q: Do they offer Regular seeds? A: Yes. Unlike Barney's Farm, DNA Genetics is very popular with breeders because they sell Regular (Male/Female) versions of almost all their top strains, allowing you to create your own crosses.

Q: Why are their seeds more expensive than others? A: You are paying for the "Cup Winner" pedigree. DNA Genetics does not sell "white label" bulk seeds; they sell specific, verified genetics that have been stabilized for decades. The price reflects the certainty of the outcome.

🏁 The Architect's Verdict

DNA Genetics is the Connoisseur's Choice. They are the bridge that connected the two great cannabis capitals of the world (LA and Amsterdam).

They are the perfect breeder for the grower who wants prestige. Growing Kosher Kush or Tangie is a rite of passage. Their genetics are not just "good"; they are historical landmarks in the evolution of cannabis. If you want to grow the weed that changed the 2000s, you grow DNA.

Score: 10/10 Best For: Flavor chasers, phenotype hunters, and anyone who loves OG Kush.