Opening
So old. Today is March 5, 2025. This Acapulco Gold was packaged on 1.17.2024. I bought it more than eleven months ago and I just haven’t gotten around to smoking any of it yet.
It has kept well in its plastic pouch. It’s got some aroma. That tang. The buds look good. Chiseled and dense yet still spongy when you give them a pinch. They are a little sticky.
First Smoke
The Acapulco Gold has given me a jolt. Could be bitey. It’s strong.
Decent carry. Menthol taste, but otherwise the smoke is a little harsh. That could be the bud’s age. My fault.
Some geese just flew over. Not Canadas. Snow or Cackling or Greater White-Fronted. They were silhouetted.
The Gold does indeed have carry. I might value carry or length/evolution of effects as much as any other characteristic.
Wildwood antelope
to be a being here
How many animals
are animals
of deep snows?
I am blissful in
early morning drink
which is why
Adulthood
you walk into it
but leave it lying down
Lineage & History
Acapulco Gold is a classic strain. It was, I am told, a popular strain in the seventies. My wife’s cousin had a little Acapulco Gold he shared with me a few years back. He said, “Led Zeppelin used to sing about this stuff.”
It’s a lyric in the song “Over the Hills and Far Away.” The song goes,
Many times I’ve lied and many times I’ve listened
Many times I’ve gazed along the open road
Many times I’ve lied and many times I’ve listened
Many times I’ve wondered how much there is to know
Many dreams come true, and some have silver linings
I live for my dream and a pocketful of gold
Some Acapulco gold, every time
The last line, that mentions the strain specifically, is only included in the live version of the song from the album The Song Remains the Same, which was recorded at Madison Square Garden in 1973. You can hear Robert Plant putting a wry emphasis on “Acapulco Gold” when he adds the lyric before the guitar solo. Otherwise, I prefer the version of the song from Houses of the Holy.
When I bought the bag the budtender was quick to offer the caveat that what I was buying wasn’t going to be like the Acapulco Gold from back in the day, his day. He said he used to get it and there were golden-orange hairs all over the bud.
The strain hails from Mexico. I’m not sure if it’s considered a landrace. It’s a sativa. Any time I see one of these classic strains offered on a menu, I’m going to give it a try. Maybe it’s not the same thing Led Zeppelin was smoking in the seventies but it’s as close as I’ll get fifty years later.
Weeds of Grass 