Haze A: The Dark Prince of Sativas
Haze A: The Dark Prince of Sativas
Strain Overview
Type: Pure Sativa Breeding Stock (Colombian Dominant)
Origin: Netherlands (Selected by Neville Schoenmakers)
Lineage: Original Haze Brothers Stock (Colombian x Mexican x Thai x South Indian)
Key Progeny: A5 Haze, Neville’s Haze (Mother line), Mango Haze
Flavor Profile: Earthy, Woody, Spicy, "Meaty"
Status: Extinct (As a pure male), preserved in the A5 Haze clone.
If Haze C is the "Light"—soaring, spiritual, citrusy, and Thai-dominant—then Haze A is the "Dark."
Like its brother, Haze A was not a strain sold in bags to tourists; it was a specific male plant selected by Neville Schoenmakers in the 1980s from the original Haze seeds acquired from Sam the Skunkman. It is one of the two pillars (A and C) upon which the entire empire of Dutch Sativas was built.
While Haze C became famous for its metallic lemon and church incense aroma, Haze A was celebrated for something much funkier: a deep, woody, Colombian influence that smells distinctively of leather, damp earth, and even stewed meat. It is the genetic backbone of the legendary A5 Haze, a cut that is currently seeing a massive resurgence in the high-end collector market.
History and Lineage: The Tale of Two Males
To understand the history of Sativa, you must understand the divergence of Neville's males.
The Selection
The Source: Neville planted thousands of Haze seeds. From these, he kept two primary males for breeding.
Haze C: The Thai-dominant phenotype. High frequency, electric, citrusy.
Haze A: The Colombian-dominant phenotype. Lower frequency, stupefying, woody.
The Legacy: A5 Haze
Neville crossed his trusty Northern Lights #5 mother with the Haze A male. The result was the A5 Haze (often just called "The A5").
While the C5 (NL#5 x Haze C) was spiritual and clear, the A5 (NL#5 x Haze A) was heavy, confusing, and incredibly potent.
For decades, the A5 cut circulated secretly in Southern Holland (Breda region), kept alive by a small group of growers, while the rest of the world moved on to faster blooming strains. Recently, it has been "rediscovered" by seed banks like Karma Genetics and Top Dawg, sparking a new craze for Haze A genetics.
Terpene Profile: The "Meaty" Haze
The aroma of Haze A genetics is distinctly different from what modern smokers consider "Haze." It lacks the bright lemon of Super Silver Haze. It is savory.
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Earth): Dominant in the A line, providing a musky, damp soil aroma.
Humulene (The Hops): Adds a strong woody, beer-like note.
Farnesene (The Green Apple/Wood): Often present in Colombian landraces, adding a subtle green fruit tartness that is quickly overshadowed by the musk.
Flavor Notes:
The Nose: It is famously strange. It smells of old leather, cedar wood, liver/stewed meat, and musk. It is a "brown" smell, compared to the "yellow" smell of Haze C.
The Smoke: The smoke is incredibly thick and heavy. It tastes of black hash, earthy spice, and antique furniture. It is a savory smoke that coats the mouth.
Strain Effects: The Stupefying Stone
Haze A is not a "get up and clean the house" Sativa. It is a "forget where you put the broom" Sativa.
The "A" Experience
The Impact: It hits with a heavy pressure behind the eyes. It is disorienting.
The Confusion: Unlike the clarity of Haze C, Haze A induces a state often described as "stupefying." You may lose your train of thought mid-sentence. It is a psychedelic confusion.
The Body: Because of the Colombian/Northern Lights influence in the A5 cross, there is a significant body load. You feel vibrant but heavy, anchored to the ground while your mind wanders.
The Potency: It is notoriously strong. It was one of the few strains in the 90s that could knock out seasoned Dutch heavy-users.
Best For: Listening to complex music, solitary introspection, or days where you have absolutely zero responsibilities.
Haze A vs. Haze C: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Haze A (The Dark) | Haze C (The Light) |
| Dominant Genetics | Colombian / Indian | Thai / South Indian |
| Primary Aroma | Earth, Wood, Meat, Leather | Citrus, Incense, Metal |
| Famous Cross | A5 Haze (NL#5 x Haze A) | C5 Haze (NL#5 x Haze C) |
| Effect Type | Stupefying, Heavy, Psychedelic | Soaring, Energetic, Racy |
| Flowering Time | Long (12-14 Weeks) | Very Long (14-16+ Weeks) |
Growing Haze A Genetics (The A5 Cut)
If you are lucky enough to get a clone of the A5 (the living embodiment of Haze A), prepare for a battle.
Structure: It is a monster. It creates massive, foxtailing towers of calyxes. The buds do not look like modern nuggets; they look like twisted braids.
The Stretch: It stretches vigorously, though slightly less than the pure C5.
Feeding: It is a heavy feeder compared to other Hazes. The Colombian genetics seem to tolerate higher nutrient EC levels.
Flowering Time: It finishes slightly faster than the C line, usually around 75 to 90 days, making it slightly more commercially viable (which is why it survived in the Breda underground).
Final Verdict: The Connoisseur's History Lesson
Haze A represents the earthy, grounded soul of the Haze family. While Haze C tries to fly into the sun, Haze A drags you deep into the jungle.
You should seek out Haze A (A5) genetics if:
You are tired of citrus/lemon profiles and want something savory and woody.
You want a Sativa that is potent enough to confuse you, not just energize you.
You are a history buff interested in the "Breda" style of Dutch cannabis.
You appreciate the "ugly-beautiful" structure of foxtailing landrace hybrids.
Score: 9.8/10 (The Heavy Haze)