McClelland Christmas Cheer 1999

As is my habit, I open and smoke Christmas Cheer when it is 10 years-old. This is my first taste of the '99 vintage. I have to say this is one of my favorites so far. I've let it breathe in its open tin (with the plastic lid on, of course) for a month, which really makes a difference, imo. Its delicate sweetness and medium body are most satisfying. The McNeils really have a way with Virginias. Keep in mind, as the previous reviewer forgot, that CC is not a blend but a single crop that represents the best of a particular year. Straight Virginia tobacco can burn hot and give the most experienced smoker tongue-bite if they're not careful. No worries about that with this tin. Ten years has tamed all the rough edges and seems to have brought out all the delicious qualities this vintage has to offer. If you can find a tin I highly recommend grabbing it; you won't be sorry. I have 2 more tins, one I plan to save until 2019 if I live that long. The other will be a Christmas gift to one of my pals.

I purchased 2 tins of this at Iwan Ries back in 2004 when I was in Chicago on business. I found it on the shelf stuffed away with several misc McClelland blends. Just as Darwin below, I like at least 10 years of age on the Christmas Cheer.

Popping this tin after 15+ years of aging, I was a bit nervous. Was it sealed properly? Will it be powder? Neither. Upon opening this tin, the famous tang of McClelland Va's was still present. What I assume used to be mottled brown flake appears almost pitch black, almost as if it had been stoved. Some streaks of medium brown leaf still appear, if you can see it under the glorious sugar crystallization. Preparing the broken flakes hasn't changed much, as it is still a bit difficult to rub out what flake remained intact.

Packing is easy, the leaf still lends a bit of spring. Lighting does require a bit of time, and is not something to be rushed. I waited this long to smoke it, why hurry now?

Initial lighting is pure bliss. Sweet sugary notes of the long aged Virginia taste almost like caramel. Usually young McClelland Va's give me tongue bite, but that no longer exists in this tin. I like to pack this tight, as small sips keep the flavor even keel, and keeps it lit. Thin wisps of smoke constantly emitting from my pipe tells me I am doing it right.

I don't plan on smoking this that often, so hopefully these two tins will last me for a few years. As long as I keep charity samples to a minimum.

First off, the rating I gave is for the quality and execution, because I only have so much of this tobacco. I can hardly smoke it regularly or in the forseeable future once my stash is gone.

That said, this is fine tobacco. Flavorful in the middle range, neither being a tenor or bass. It is just good, sweet, natural, easy burning, and unchallenging Virginia flake.

The tin insert describes Christmas Cheer 1999 as "a special selection of the beautiful, ripe, orange flue-cured Virginias of the Carolina Border Belt crop of 1994.

It is not complex like a blend with more than one tobacco variety, but it allows a smoker to taste an exceptional varietal for its own qualities and merit. I opened it Thanksgiving Day 2003 and am down to the last ounce or so.

This is mottled flake (almost large, rectangular chunks rather than flakes). It burns clean and dry to a white ash. It is relatively cool for a pure flue-cured product.

I recommend rubbing this out more than the broken flake form in which it was packaged. A wee bit of moisture reduction (open lid for a couple of hours) helps the lighting and burning qualities.

I am saving some of this to compare with other years hence and to add some sweetness to blends I feel need it. As a regular diet, such a tobacco would bore me a bit.

I have smoked through two tins of the '99 Xmas Cheer and have found it consistently outstanding. It is sweet, but not overwhelming. It is a little moist from the tin, so I have found that drying for bit before loading into pipe to provide a better smoking experience. It smokes a little wet, but that is me rather than the tobacco. I have found that it is a tad strong for a Virginia blend, but not nearly as strong as S&G Full VA Flake. No casing noted, standard McC tin note which doesn't carry over to the smoke. Room note is pleasant, toasty and mild. Taste is outstanding. A nicely done blend, highly recommended if you can get your hands on some.

An amazing almost citrus tartness, melding with natural VA sweetness. A texture and flavor that is robust yet soft. Likely one of the tastiest "straight" VA mixtures I have had the pleasure to sample.

I was gifted a sample earlier in the year (2004), but saved it for Christmas morning in a MacQueen Churchwarden. Delicious. Though smoking it regularly is definitely not an option, I would if I could.