Best of High Times Cup Runners up
We have all heard the cliche. If you're not first, you're last. This writer thinks that cliche is stupid because that's only true of a two-person race. Ask the runner up or the third place of a prestigious cannabis cup competition and see if they feel like a loser. When you look back at some of the cannabis strains to come runner up in the cannabis cups of the past, you wonder how good the winner must have been? You might also think, does anyone remember who came 2nd at the 2004 High Times Cup? Well, we do, and soon you will do as well.
The following list will prove that if you're not first at the cannabis cup, you're probably still a very famous cannabis strain you can buy online at the Amsterdam Seed Center. Before we get into that, though, here is a little of the history of the High Times Cup.
High times indeed
Probably the most iconic counter culture magazine in the history of counter culture, The High Times magazine was founded in the late 60s by a cannabis smuggler, with the proceeds of his illicit trade. High Times magazine began as a parody to Playboy but soon became the go-to for all things related to cannabis. After an eventful two decades, including the founder killing himself and his closest friends and colleagues mixing part of his ashes with the finest ounce and smoking them on the top floor of the World Trade Center. It was time for The High Times Cup.
Dutch Masters
It seems natural that the most iconic cannabis publication would also host the most famous cannabis cup. But it wasn't the case until around 1987 when High Times man Steve Hager visited about half a dozen Dutch cannabis breeders and coined them the Dutch Masters. Steve wanted the Dutch Masters to enter their best buds and cannabis seeds into the inaugural High Times Cup. So judges from all over the world could vote on their favoured cannabis strains. The first High Times cup took place in 1988 in Amsterdam and blazed a trail for all the cannabis cups hosted each year ever since. Every breeder worth their salt would love to be a High Times champion. We know that because we stock so many of them online in our webshop. Which makes buying High Times Cup-winning cannabis seeds online easier than ever, and you never know you might even buy one of the Best High Times runner ups.
High Times cups best runner ups
BubbleGum
First up, we have Bubblegum. Grown and entered by Amsterdam Coffeeshop, Grey Area, Bubblegum took 2nd place in the 1995 edition of the High Times Cup. Bubblegum genetics came from Amsterdammers, T.H. Seeds. The Dutch seed bank introduced Bubblegum cannabis seeds in 1993, and they went on to gain worldwide acclaim. It has won numerous awards due to its thick fruit aroma, long lingering taste and solid stout stature. And it remains one of the most common cannabis seeds sold online. Amsterdam was on a high for another reason that year. Notable events included Ajax securing a historic Champions League victory, with a 1 - 0 win over AC Milan in the final.
AK-47
The same year that the EU introduced the Euro, this strong-smelling Sativa collected the runner gong. AK-47 by Serious Seeds made inroads by claiming 2nd place in the 1999 High Times Cup. What was noted at the time, and is why AK-47 has enduring popularity, is that it has a short flowering time compared to other Sativias. AK-47 is also incredibly potent, so it is easy to understand why AK-47 made the top three that year.
Sensi Star
By 2000, Paradise Seeds were firmly established and had won more than a handful of awards. Everyone had calmed down about Y2K, and Sensi Star was still the original heavyweight Indica cannabis strain. It KO'd more than a few of the judges because it came second in the 2000 edition of the High Times Cup.
N.Y.C Diesel
N.Y.C Diesel came second the same year Steve Fossett became the first person to fly around the world solo. It was 2002, and this iconic cannabis strain was entered into the cup by Coffeeshop Tweed Kamer. N.Y.C Diesel genetics come by way of Soma Seeds. N.Y.C will leave you with an exotic smell, an exotic taste and an exotic high, and is widely available in Dutch Coffeeshops. And also as cannabis seeds online.
Arjan's Ultra Haze
Arjan's Ultra Haze came second place in the High Times Cup the same year the cinematic masterpiece that is Shrek 2 was released. Unlike Shrek, this is a handsome Sativa, and it won over the judges in 2004. Since the original Arjan's Haze, Greenhouse Seeds have released many variations of the popular Sativa.
L.A. ConfidentialOut of stock
LA Confidential
Next up 2005, and while stoners embraced around the High Times festival, scientists marvelled at the discovery of Eris, the largest known dwarf planet in the solar system. As marvelous as the discovery of the dwarf planet was, that year's High Times Cup 2nd place probably entered bigger buds than Eris. LA Confidential typically develops one of two phenotypes. One of which is hardier than the other, but both phenotypes will have equal potency and finish in 55-60 days.
Just because these cannabis strains took 2nd place in the respective years mentioned, it doesn't mean they were not outright winners another time. All of these runner ups have won awards in their own right. And like The High Times Cup, all of these cannabis strains have withstood the test of time, and they all have a rich history. But if you can't find one of the strains mentioned online. There will be a variation or offspring available to buy online at the Amsterdam Seed Center.