Quick note - I have a slight obsession to hash and that's why my list is slight dominated by hash to the disappointment of my SO. I have also tried to ‘re-weight’ my grades so my preference to hash is less evident. Also my selection is influenced by trying older strains and things I can’t get at home, I also don’t consider sativa/indica - the science seems to suggest this is largely made up. Furthermore the strain names are take with a pinch of salt, all purchases are based on looks and smell before paying.
Also my preference is medium strength weed/hash, and smoking several joints with tobacco rather than one strong J.
De Mazzelaar / The Hague
Strain - Buddha Thai - 7 Euro/ 2g - tried this as I wanted some outdoor weed but this was really ‘brick weed’ ie compressed low grade outdoor, was okay mixed as a filler but on its own it didn’t burn well or taste nice. Ended up smoking 3 half a gram and gave the rest away, would really like to try some quality, low strength outdoor but alas it always seems to be dirty, dry, crushed buds. I give it an extra point for novelty, never seen ‘brick’ weed before. 1/10
Strain - Lemon Haze - 10 Euro/g - Really good Smoke, chosen as they didn’t have powerplant when I visited but was pleasantly surprised by this medium strength, good taste, pungent odor. 7/10
Atmosphere - Quiet and Small shop, very basic and limited seating but nice to escape the madness of Amsterdam and be able to relax and chill out here. This was a highlight of the Hague 8/10.
Dizzy Duck / The Hague
I had really hoped to try their ‘enemy of the state’ hash, but it was sold out so I tried the Malana Cream as suggested by the tender and was also on my list.
Strain - Malana Cream hash - 15 Euro/g - Soft black hash, with an exotic odor, I would describe the smell as a ‘pong’ if that makes sense, thick smoke and a nice sedative effect, never tried asian hash before so it was a nice change 7/10
Atmosphere - Again a nice change from the chaos in AMS busier than De Mazzelaar, mainly local people, pretty much all men but reminded me of ‘local rough pubs’. Would probably just buy here in future. 5.5/10
Hunters / AMS
Strain - Jack Herer - 8 Euro/g - Having wanted to try this strain since I first started smoking and missing it on previous trips to AMS I was excited to try it. A good day time smoke with enough power to hit the spot but not overpower. Nice taste, good price 6/10
Atmosphere - First time visiting this shop, perhaps I caught it at a good time as I dont often hear it recommended. Outside seating was good in the weather, staff were pleasant and helpful. 6/10
Noon
Strain - Afgaan Kush - 10/g - Good price for medium quality weed in the Leidseplein center, smoked well with a medium buzz 6.5/10.
Atmosphere - Good shop, was quiet on both visits and didn’t mind us smoking our own before buying on second visit. Another benefit (odd I know) is that drinks are full 330ml cans instead of the stupid 200-250 ml tiny bottles. Good value, Good service 6/10.
De Overkant Hortus
Strain - Polm hash- 6euros/g Stopped here on the way to the botanical gardens, I think we were the first customers of the day initially just bought drinks but decided to test a cheap hash because, I like hash. Anyway I bought the cheapest hash on the menu, and I was not disappointed, this is what I would describe as a standard quality morrocan hash. I’m not sure if this was just a good batch, or what but this was a good smoke, lovely smell and strong buzz. I think if I lived in AMS this would be my daily/value smoke. 7.5/10 (this rating is based on price, taste and overall quality, I have had a lot worse for a lot more)
Atmosphere - Good, we sat outside in the morning and inside in the late afternoon. Staff were helpful and smoking without buying seemed to be accepted. Location was good near Hortus Botanicus and Waterlooplein market 8/10
Boerejongens
Strain - Madelaine hash - 7.5 euros/g, was first smoke of this trip and instantly reminded me this was going to be a good holiday, in the heat (37c) this hash was soft and very pliable. Nice mild buzz, somewhat lacking flavour. 7/10
Strain - Super Lemon Haze Block Hash - 10 euros/g Strong pungent smell and a lovely taste to match, again in the heat this crumbles easily and the gram was quickly finished, my favourite hash of the trip. Strength, flavour and smell 9/10
Strain - Tangie Magic Block hash - 16 euros/g This was the hash I was most excited about before the trip, having heard good things. Perhaps I had just hyped it up in my head but this was a disappointment. The flavour was not there, the smoke made me choke and while it has strength it didn’t justify the price. I would much prefer have a gram of the Super Lemon Haze and a Gram of the Polm from Overkant Hortus for the price. 4/10
Atmosphere - Good, tenders were willing to show me everything I wanted although it was a bit rushed because it was busy. Never visited the Boer chains before but now they will be included every trip. I would love to visit first thing in the morning and chat to the staff and get their recommendations. Didn’t stay and smoke, I think pure smoking is actually enforced but great products 8/10.
Het Ballontje
Strain - G13 MR NICE - 12 Euros/g - Good smoke again not overpowering but great to mix with my hash cache! Seemed well cured with the right amount of remain moisture, this was probably the most pungent weed of the trip 8/10
Atmosphere - As usual great service and the perfect stop on the way to the Zoo, staff remember your visit in the morning and buzz you into the smoking room, also for some reason the down stairs smoking area is nice for a quick stop. 8/10
Dampkring
Strain - Dr Grinspoon - 14.5 Euros/g As expected a great smoke, although I don’t believe in indica or sativa or the majority of strain names, I certainly felt a strong ‘sativa’ or head high without couchlock, excellent start to a long night in HSB. Another thing I would note is that this small round ‘grinspoon’ buds but just looked like smaller regular shaped buds, the reason I bought this was the colour and amount of amber hairs. I have never seen bud that looked quite like this, it was incredibly hairy and orangey - I’m not sure if this was genetic or a result of being harvested to quick/late?
7/10.Strain - JSC - 14.5 Euros/g Got this as the final big smoke the night before had a half gram in a joint with the last remnants of hash, this was strong and crystal covered and very dense, the same amount took less than half the space of the DR G 8/10.
Strain - DAMPKRING SPACE CAKE 7.5 euros/cake We bought one of both flavours and ate half of each, for me this produced a strong body stone (after a few joints) which left me couch locked for hours. For the other, they fell asleep after about an hour of giggling 8/10
Atmosphere - I might be slightly biased as the Dampkring was my first and favourite coffeeshop, but I really do think they sell good quality weed and hash, and the shop itself looks excellent at night, staff seems to recognise when you pop in each day for a coffee and at night don’t ask these people for ID or really bother you in any way. The only thing I would change is comfortable seating, something like Kashmir Lounge or Hill Street Blues, couches or arm chairs but I guess space and people sleeping stop this 9/10
Other places
Kashmir Lounge - out towards Vondel park, although its very dark at night this is perfect, the front room which has the ‘floor seating’ completes the indian/temple vibe, staff are friendly and the hot chocolate and mint tea are great.
Hill Street Blues - Just of the main RLD great smoking are down stairs, although the window seat is in high demand (we didn’t get it this trip despite 5 visits). Good milkshakes, not quite as good as Dampkring
. Staff are nice and table service is great when you have had a bit too much.Greenhouse - My favourite coffee shop that is on the RLD canal, great to sit outside a night and enjoy a juice and smoke, although we didn’t buy smoke this trip in the past the quality has been good
. Also Kokopelli, great informative staff, check the shop out if you have not yet!
Overall we had a great trip despite some issues with accommodation, I will never stay anywhere near hostel utopia/ the plug again.
ended up leaving early to stay elsewhere. Also visited the Plug coffeeshop and wouldn’t go near it again very strange vibe and ‘behaviour’ of the staff. We didn’t get a chance to visit many of the shops on my list between all the activities we done alongside smoking, but I suppose that’s another reason to look for cheap flights 
