High Country: The Top 10 Cannabis Strains of 2020
Smokey Town, the Roaring Fork Valley’s resource for expert reviews, shares their picks
High Country
Getty Images
The annual onslaught of “best of” lists that hit our newsfeeds every December is here, but most of them don’t feel quite right in 2020. One top 10 list we can get behind to help ease the stress, anxiety and darkness this year has brought us, though? The best cannabis.
In 2018, High Country introduced you to Smokey Town (smokey.town), a Basalt-based startup that provides an in-depth database of reviews for cannabis varietals found on-shelf at dispensaries from Aspen to Glenwood Springs. Since its launch, it remains the most thorough resource for finding flower in the Roaring Fork Valley.
According to its co-founders, who’ve requested anonymity, “It is no secret the pandemic has made 2020 a banner year for cannabis. Dispensaries in Colorado were designated essential businesses. Some have quickly adapted, making ordering ahead simple and easy; while others have struggled to find their way. Hats off to two in particular: RootsRx and The Green Joint.”
Working with close to 20 partners and expert judges, Smokey Town scours every dispensary in the area to compile detailed information year-round. There are currently more than 250 strain reviews available and subscribers of the Smokey Town e-newsletter also receive an update in their inbox as soon as a new strain is added to the database.
“With COVID on the brain, selecting the right cannabis product can turn ‘hiding out and stressing out’ into ‘hanging out and chilling out.’ The chemistry and composition of flower has never been more important to our judging,” added the Smokey Town co-founders. “Sure, we are suckers for a luscious scent and smooth taste and we can be downright snobbish about the cure – I mean really, how do you get the cure wrong in Colorado!? But you will see more complex, indica-leaning strains on the list this year, perfect for making the holidays feel merry and bright. Dessert names were also very popular, which naturally makes you want to try them all!”
As we finally wind down 2020, we turned to Smokey Town again for the third annual top 10 rankings of the best strains its team smoked this year — and where to shop for them locally.
1. Purple Sherb
Indica Hybrid
Shop: The Green Joint, 720 E. Durant Ave., Aspen, 970-925-6468, thegreenjoint.com
2. Bacio
Hybrid
Shop: Silverpeak, 520 E. Cooper Ave., Aspen, 970-925-4372, silverpeakcannabis.com
Courtesy Antero Sciences
3. Creamsicle
Indica
Shop: Roots Rx, 400 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen, 970-900-9333, rootsrxstores.com
4. Rozay
Sativa Hybrid
Shop: Best Day Ever, 520 E. Cooper Ave., Aspen, 970-429-8637, bestdayevercannabis.com
5. Wedding Cake
Indica
Shop: Tumbleweed, 304 CO-133, Carbondale, 970-510-3065, tumbleweed420.com
6. Space Monkey
Indica Hybrid
Shop: Rocky Mountain High, 615 Buggy Circle, Carbondale, 970-963-4669, rockymountainhigh.co
7. GMO x MAC
Hybrid
Shop: Roots Rx, 400 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen, 970-900-9333, rootsrxstores.com
8. Lemon Pound Cake
Indica Hybrid
Shop: The Green Joint, 720 E. Durant Ave., Aspen, 970-925-6468, thegreenjoint.com
9. Jenny Kush
Indica
Shop: Roots Rx, 400 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen, 970-900-9333, rootsrxstores.com
10. 7th Dimension
Indica
Shop: The Green Solution, 106 S. Mill St., Aspen, 970-760-0284, tgscolorado.com
Katie Shapiro can be reached at katie@katieshapiromedia.com and followed on Twitter @bykatieshapiro.
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
Readers around Aspen and Snowmass Village make the Aspen Times’ work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.
Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil.
If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted.
User Legend: 
Moderator 
Trusted User
Wine Ink: Wine and Wood
After taking a leap of faith, Alpine Wine Design, who has a booth at the Aspen Saturday Market, makes good use of old barrels and boxes for unique offerings
