Granddaddy Purple

Where does Granddaddy Purple come from?

Granddaddy Purple is most often credited to Ken Estes, a grower in the San Francisco Bay Area, who is said to have introduced it around 2003. The cross most often given is Purple Urkle and Big Bud: Purple Urkle for the colour and grape smell, Big Bud for the large, dense buds.

Not every source agrees. Leafly lists Mendocino Purps and Skunk as parents, with some Afghani in the mix. Since Purple Urkle itself is usually traced back to Mendocino Purps, the two stories may overlap more than they seem, but the exact breeding history is not firmly documented.

What does Granddaddy Purple smell and taste like?

GDP smells like grapes first, sweet and fruity, with berry and a hint of violet flowers. An earthy, slightly spicy funk sits underneath.

Myrcene usually leads its terpene results, followed by pinene and caryophyllene. Myrcene gives the earthy, musky side, pinene a touch of pine and caryophyllene a peppery bite. The flavour is usually sweet grape on the inhale, though a few people find the finish harsh or bitter.

Granddaddy Purple effects: what people report

Reports of Granddaddy Purple lean strongly toward relaxed and sleepy. People describe a brief happy lift in the head, then a deep, heavy body feel that many save for the end of the day. Hunger comes up a lot, and at higher amounts some people mention being stuck to the couch.

These are experiences people report, not promises. How it feels depends on the product, how much you have and your tolerance. Dry mouth, dry eyes and dizziness are the most common complaints, and a few people say it crept up on them slowly or left them feeling anxious after too much.

How strong is Granddaddy Purple?

GDP usually sits in the moderate to high range. Published lab results and listings put it anywhere from about 17% to 27% THC, with very little CBD.

Because people often say it builds slowly, give it time before having more, especially if you're new to it. The THC and CBD on your product's label are what matter for the batch in your hand.

Buying Granddaddy Purple in Canada

GDP is an old name, and after two decades of cuttings and seeds, different producers grow somewhat different plants under it. Two GDP products can vary in THC, smell and colour, so read the label rather than assuming.

You'll most often see it as dried flower and pre-rolls, and sometimes as vapes or hash. Check the packaging date, since fresher flower keeps more of the grape smell.

Granddaddy Purple vs Purple Urkle

Purple Urkle is the parent most often named for GDP, and the family resemblance is easy to spot: both are purple, grape-scented indicas with a sleepy, relaxed reputation. Purple Urkle leans a bit more skunky and plum-like, while GDP is usually sweeter and grows bigger, denser buds thanks to its Big Bud side. GDP is also the more common name on shelves. If you want the classic grape indica, start with GDP. If you're curious about where that grape smell came from, try Purple Urkle.

Strains like Granddaddy Purple

If you like Granddaddy Purple, these are the closest matches:

• Purple Urkle: its likely parent, with the same grape smell and a little more skunk.
• Purple Punch: a GDP child with a sweeter, candy-grape smell.
• Cherry Pie: another GDP child that trades some grape for tart cherry.
• Grape Ape: a grape-forward indica with a similar relaxed reputation.