McClelland Christmas Cheer 1998
(2.55)
Hand-blended, premium pressed Virginia flake tobaccos. A fine vintage, naturally sweet, in limited quantity.
Notes: Produced in 1992, 1994-present in limited quantities. Tinned in July of the respective year.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Broken Flake |
| Packaging | 50 grams or 100 grams tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.55 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 18, 2015 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
The familiar "vinegar/ketchup" smell was less noticeable in the taste of the tobacco than it was to my nose, though I didn't find it distracting. The Virginias were very ripe, tangy, dried dark fermented fruit sweet with a little tart and tangy citrus, some earth, wood and a little spice, sugar, and grass here and there. The strength was a step the center of mild to medium, while the taste was a slot past that. It burned cool, clean and slow with some moisture at the finish even when dried a little, but no dottle. Needed some relights. Found it worked best when packed a little loosely. The nic-hit was mild with no bite, and had a very consistent flavor, and a pleasant after taste. An all day smoke.
-JimInks
-JimInks
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 30, 2019 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Looks in the tin like pretty much all the other CC's - broken flake of mottled color but leaning more towards the darker browns. Heavy McClellands fermented Virginia in the tin, or what some folks refer to as ketchup or vinegar. But fear not, if you dry it out properly, that aroma does not translate to the taste.
As is my custom, I smoked the first bowl at tin moisture. As usual, it was pretty blah. Smoked dry, it exhibited the usual red Virginia flavors of tang and fruitiness, with some "spice rack" notes. Losing the moisture will give you a much better idea of what the tobacco actually tastes like. This one needed more dry time than most CC's and even dialed in to the level I felt was ideal tastewise, this one never quite jelled for me like most CC's have. In fact, this was a bit on the unrefined side. It alternated between some areas of roughness and a lot of areas of being overly smooth and not as flavorful as most of the Christmas Cheer. For anyone that thinks they all taste alike, compare this one to the 2005. Very different in their presentation. I smoked about 2.5 oz of this over the course of a month, at different times of the day and so on to see if I could get its full measure, which I'm not sure I ever did. Suffice it to say that I have just the one tin and I don't feel any great need to search out more. Good but not great, and not up to McClelland standards in my book. One of the more odd CC's I've smoked. I'll finish the tin but I'd guess it'll be next Christmas before I do.
As is my custom, I smoked the first bowl at tin moisture. As usual, it was pretty blah. Smoked dry, it exhibited the usual red Virginia flavors of tang and fruitiness, with some "spice rack" notes. Losing the moisture will give you a much better idea of what the tobacco actually tastes like. This one needed more dry time than most CC's and even dialed in to the level I felt was ideal tastewise, this one never quite jelled for me like most CC's have. In fact, this was a bit on the unrefined side. It alternated between some areas of roughness and a lot of areas of being overly smooth and not as flavorful as most of the Christmas Cheer. For anyone that thinks they all taste alike, compare this one to the 2005. Very different in their presentation. I smoked about 2.5 oz of this over the course of a month, at different times of the day and so on to see if I could get its full measure, which I'm not sure I ever did. Suffice it to say that I have just the one tin and I don't feel any great need to search out more. Good but not great, and not up to McClelland standards in my book. One of the more odd CC's I've smoked. I'll finish the tin but I'd guess it'll be next Christmas before I do.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 03, 2004 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
12-03-04 Age makes a difference!
Appearance and Tin aroma: Dark reddish flakes lots of sugar crystals (6 years aged). Yes, it has the tang you either love or hate.
Packing and Lighting: The flakes were pretty tough after all these years of ageing. I found that it burns a lot nicer if fully rubbed out. Took 3-4 lights to get it going.
Initial Flavor: If smoked gently, delicious sweet VA tanginess. If you puff on it too strongly upon lighting, you'll get a bitter and astringent flavor.
Mid-Bowl: Sipping at this point yeilds a sublime flavor. You can almost taste each leaf's distinct flavor.
Bottom of Bowl: A nice build up of strength and spicyness that is not overwhelming. Very nice! Light grey ash is all that is left.
Overall: This is not a beginners blend. I found it worked best in Group 3 sized bowls. You must have good control in order to get the pot of Gold at the the end of the Rainbow. If smoked gently and methodically, you will be blessed with a fine, fine smoke with a clean aftertaste when it is all over. Unfortunately, when this is all gone (I'm about 3/4 done on a 100g. Tin)it's gone. I suppose I am going to get on the ball and start buying these CC's from MCC every year now so I can age them.
Rating: 4 out 5 points, Enjoy!
Appearance and Tin aroma: Dark reddish flakes lots of sugar crystals (6 years aged). Yes, it has the tang you either love or hate.
Packing and Lighting: The flakes were pretty tough after all these years of ageing. I found that it burns a lot nicer if fully rubbed out. Took 3-4 lights to get it going.
Initial Flavor: If smoked gently, delicious sweet VA tanginess. If you puff on it too strongly upon lighting, you'll get a bitter and astringent flavor.
Mid-Bowl: Sipping at this point yeilds a sublime flavor. You can almost taste each leaf's distinct flavor.
Bottom of Bowl: A nice build up of strength and spicyness that is not overwhelming. Very nice! Light grey ash is all that is left.
Overall: This is not a beginners blend. I found it worked best in Group 3 sized bowls. You must have good control in order to get the pot of Gold at the the end of the Rainbow. If smoked gently and methodically, you will be blessed with a fine, fine smoke with a clean aftertaste when it is all over. Unfortunately, when this is all gone (I'm about 3/4 done on a 100g. Tin)it's gone. I suppose I am going to get on the ball and start buying these CC's from MCC every year now so I can age them.
Rating: 4 out 5 points, Enjoy!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 21, 2011 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
After being gifted an ounce of this at a recent pipe show, I was hesitant to smoke it due to the number of poor reviews. With that said, when I finally did smoke the 11+ year old blend I was pleased to find a quality Virginia flake. '98 is wonderfully sweet, with no bite, even when pushed. I wish I had more of it. Most of my Christmas Cheer tins are less than four years old so I am going to stay away from comparisons. Like most straight Virginia flakes, they are not meant for beginners. It is a little light in the strength department for my tastes but if offered another tin at a reasonable price, it would be a no brainer. Recommended!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 07, 2005 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
04/05
There's not much to add to RCUSElder's excellent review, but I'll chime in anyway. Yes, it seems age does make a difference in this blend based on the previous reviews. After almost 7 years in the tin, this is one fine Virginia tobacco.
I will warn you that you may want to smoke this one slowly due to its high sugar content, but if you do you'll find the wonderful citrus/lemon flavor that makes it unique. The flakes are a little thick and tough, so I've been rubbing them out a little. I wouldn't recommend this blend to everyone, only dyed in the wool McClelland VA lovers, which I am proudly a member. This is not an everyday smoke, but a special blend for special occasions. I've got a few more tins tucked away, so I'll report back on the aging progress.
The "I smoke this on occasion" review is based on its limited production, not its quality or my enjoyment of this vintage Virginia.
There's not much to add to RCUSElder's excellent review, but I'll chime in anyway. Yes, it seems age does make a difference in this blend based on the previous reviews. After almost 7 years in the tin, this is one fine Virginia tobacco.
I will warn you that you may want to smoke this one slowly due to its high sugar content, but if you do you'll find the wonderful citrus/lemon flavor that makes it unique. The flakes are a little thick and tough, so I've been rubbing them out a little. I wouldn't recommend this blend to everyone, only dyed in the wool McClelland VA lovers, which I am proudly a member. This is not an everyday smoke, but a special blend for special occasions. I've got a few more tins tucked away, so I'll report back on the aging progress.
The "I smoke this on occasion" review is based on its limited production, not its quality or my enjoyment of this vintage Virginia.
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