Private reserve refers to the highest tier of cannabis flower sold in legal dispensaries, ranking even above top shelf buds. Private reserve buds tend to be exotic, rare phenotypes of exclusive designer strains, often expressing unusual colors, unique scents, or outrageously high THC levels. They are typically grown in very small batches by elite cultivators, either on the cutting edge of developing new genetics or meticulously refining existing strains into perfectly tailored end products. The price tag reflects the exclusivity. Most consumers buy private reserve as an occasional indulgence rather than part of their daily rotation. Dispensaries market private reserve loudly, showing off gorgeous buds in display jars or on velvet under glass. Branding sells private reserve as the pinnacle of cannabis craftsmanship and rarity. However, diehard purists argue hype and names surpass actual quality in some cases. But undoubtedly, exceptional batches do exist for true connoisseurs.