Humboldt Reserve OG: The "Caramel" Gas
Humboldt Reserve OG: The "Caramel" Gas
Strain Overview
Type: Indica-Dominant Hybrid (80% Indica / 20% Sativa)
Breeder: Humboldt Seed Company
Lineage: OG Kush (Elite "Reserve" Cut) x Humboldt OG
Market Status: The "Refined Heavyweight"; famously known as the parent strain that injects the unique "Salted Caramel" and "Fuel" terpene profile into strains like Caramel Cream and Early Girl OG.
THC Content: 20% – 25% (Relaxing & Medicinal)
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene
Key Effects: Mellow Cerebral Buzz, Heavy Body Melt, Long-Lasting Sedation, Anxiety Relief
While most OG Kushes scream with aggressive notes of lemon cleaner and pine-sol, Humboldt Reserve OG sings a different tune. It is the "Dessert OG."
This strain was created by Humboldt Seed Company to solve a specific problem: "Reserve" OGs are usually finicky, low-yielding plants. By crossing their favorite elite OG Kush cut with their tank-like Humboldt OG, they created a plant that is not only easier to grow but possesses a rare, sweet richness.
Smokers and hash-makers (such as Nasha Hash, who frequently feature this strain) prize it because it sits in a unique flavor lane: it manages to smell like burnt sugar and diesel fuel simultaneously. It is the genetic secret behind the savory sweetness found in many modern Humboldt hits.
History and Lineage: Reinforcing the Throne
Humboldt Reserve OG is essentially an "OG on steroids"—reinforced for stability and flavor complexity.
The Mother (OG Kush "Reserve"): The classic, nose-burning phenotype known for its potency and distinct "Gas" profile. This provides the raw power and the chemical nose.
The Father (Humboldt OG): HSC’s proprietary "Infrastructure" strain. Humboldt OG is a vigorous, pest-resistant Afghani/OG line bred for the volatile Northern California climate.
The Synthesis: The cross softened the sharp chemical bite of the mother. Instead of just "Gas," the addition of the Humboldt OG introduced heavy notes of earth and molasses, creating a sweeter, more palatable smoke.
Terpene Profile: Salted Caramel and Fuel
This is the key differentiator between "Humboldt Reserve OG" and a standard "Reserve OG." The Humboldt version is significantly sweeter.
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Sugar): Exceptionally high in this phenotype. It provides a heavy, molasses-like sweetness that mimics the smell of caramel or brown sugar.
Caryophyllene (The Diesel): The spicy backbone that ensures it still smells like weed. It cuts the sugar with a sharp, peppery kick.
Limonene (The Citrus): A background note that brightens the profile, preventing it from smelling too "muddy" or earthy.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It is warm and rich. It smells of salted caramel, diesel exhaust, and wet pine forest.
The Smoke: Thick and smooth. It tastes of sweet earth, toasted sugar, and spicy kush.
It lacks the harsh "throat grab" of some industrial OGs.
Strain Effects: The Balanced Stone
Humboldt Reserve OG offers a high that is heavy but not immediately debilitating. It is a "slow roller."
The Experience
The Mellow: Unlike the racy rush of a pure Fire OG, this strain starts with a gentle, foggy mental calmness.
The Melt: The physical effects are dominant. A warm sensation spreads through the chest and limbs, perfect for treating chronic pain or inflammation.
The Clarity: Despite the heavy body load, users often report a "clear-headed" feeling. You feel stoned, but you aren't confused or paranoid.
The Duration: It has "legs." The high lasts for hours, eventually fading into a sleepy, hungry state.
Best For: Late afternoon relaxation, treating muscle spasms, stress management, and appetite stimulation.
Growing Humboldt Reserve OG: The Outdoor Specialist
This strain was bred specifically for the outdoors (sungrown), though it performs excellently indoors as well.
Growth Structure
The Vigor: Thanks to the Humboldt OG parent, this plant is much tougher than a standard OG. It resists snapping in the wind and handles temperature drops well.
The Resistance: It has improved resistance to powdery mildew, a common killer of OG genetics in coastal climates.
The Buds: It produces "popcorn" to "golf-ball" style buds that are incredibly dense and resinous.
The Harvest: It finishes relatively fast, typically ready by early to mid-October (60 days flowering).
The Hash: This is a favorite for pressed hash. The resin is oily and rich, producing a "red" or "gold" melt that is full of flavor.
Grower’s Tip: This strain benefits from "lollipopping" (removing the lower growth). It focuses its energy on the top canopy, producing rock-hard nuggets that are easy to trim. It is a moderate feeder that prefers organic soil to bring out the caramel terpene expression.
Final Verdict: The Sweetest OG
Humboldt Reserve OG is the sophisticated cousin of the OG family. It trades the aggressive, industrial cleaner smell of its relatives for a warmer, savory-sweet profile that reminds smokers of a dessert.
You should choose Humboldt Reserve OG if:
You want an OG Kush with a unique Caramel/Sweet twist.
You are growing outdoors and need a hardy, resistant plant.
You prefer a clear-headed but physical high.
You are making hash or edibles (flavor transfers beautifully).
Score: 9.5/10 (The Caramel Gas)