Origins and Backstory: This sample of DJ Short's Blueberry was gifted to me by a friend who grew it outdoors, organically, between 7,000 and 8,000 ft. altitude. The cut is a local clone that is well passed around, and has been all over Colorado since the 90s by most reports. DJ Short, the breeder, reports that his Blueberry selection is an inbred line of three landrace heirlooms: an Afghan, Purple Thai, and Oaxacan sativa.
Appearance: These bulbous flowers are a darker green due to their outdoor, sun-beaten environment. However, they are well-formed with slightly above-average resin content. Purple and blue hues accent the larger-than-normal calyxes, due in part to genetics and also to the cool fall temperatures. I would say these buds look almost like good commercial outdoor.
Aroma: The aroma of these flowers is really intriguing.. As the name would suggest, there is a definitive blueberry aroma that wafts out of a jar. Grown indoors, this same cutting smells like blueberry muffins. However, it expresses itself differently in the outdoor environment. This sample has a distinct spiciness to it, like that of an old rug or hashish. Spicy, musty, blueberry notes, and a distinctly-other fruit note are at the forefront, and call for a 2nd and 3rd inhalation from a bag or jar. It is somewhat reminiscent of Flo, another of DJ Short's famous clones. The bouquet wafting off a jar is fruity, jammy, floral, and herbal, and is like some bizarrely-fruity-but-floral herbal tea.
Flavor: Just as complex and intriguing as the aroma, the flavor of DJ Short's Blueberry is the highlight. It is indeed like a smokable fruit-flavored floral-herbal tea, with many different notes contributing to an overall complex flavor. There's a lot going on here, and the specifically blue and blackberry like flavors are really a novel experience to be beheld. It is a wonder such a flavor profile found its way into a cannabis plant, and is really a testament to the sourcing, selection, and breeding done by DJ Short as well as the quality of care given by the grower. I have genuinely had many herbal teas that were not as enjoyable to drink as this flower was to smoke.
Effects: Blueberry is happy and feel-good, but mellow and laid-back. While some euphoric sensations occur, Blueberry is more of a relaxing end-of-day variety than a flower to be enjoyed before or during activities. Blueberry consistently puts me in a drowsy dreamspace that I imagine could be quite a useful effect for certain ailments. In my own experience, this varietal makes me lazy and unproductive, perfectly content with the way things are. This is a double-edged sword.
Overall Experience: DJ Short's Blueberry is a classical legend, etched in stone among the unofficial "Strain Hall of Fame." Her aroma and flavor are unparalleled in their uniqueness and potency, genuinely capturing aromas of blueberry, blackberry, and other berry flavors that are a real delight to experience in cannabis. The effect is somewhat unremarkable, the potency hovering around average, and the character of the effects leaning toward a euphoric but otherwise generic indica effect. This is a great variety to smoke at the end of the day to reflect on things, or with casual and comfortable company.