McClelland Christmas Cheer 2006

Well, what's not to like about Xmas Cheer 2006?. It has tremendous flavor for the most part. I cracked a tin a year ago and smoked half of it, jarring the rest. Testing the remainder over the holidays, I find it to have a hint of a soapy taste at first light that I didn't notice in the past. It does settle down through the smoke however.

I love the sweetness of a straight McClelland Virginia. This is tangy-sweet but can bite if aggressive. I believe I still prefer the overall taste of Dark Star and 2035 to this blend.

I actually find the cut of this blend more difficult to work with than Dark Star and 2035. You know up front that you have to prep the Dark Star and 2035. I try to smoke Xmas Cheer as it is and as a consequence it is more difficult to keep burning.

I have three more tins in the cellar along with some other vintage. Perhaps I will update later.

In the tin, this broken flake has the usual aroma of McClelland's fermented funk.

Flavor is typical McClelland: rich, syrupy, and tangy with nutty undertones.

As with many McC VAs (particularly the Cheer series), second verse same as the first. If you enjoy those, you'll enjoy this. Like all McC VAs, it's good young but blossoms with some tin time. Best a narrow gauge chamber.

This is quite simply one of the most superb Virginias I have ever tried. For such a tobacco to be so smooth, rich, and to possess such a fine sense of balance NOW, I can only imagine what a few years age will do to it.

Buy some. Now!

as always since 2000 at lease i have purchased 2 tins of the 2006 vintage for Christmas. I always sample a bowl or 2 from one tin and then let the rest age. 2006 for me is very similar to the 2005 vintage. The cut is small flakes which are much better than the larger flakes from the 90's tins. This one did not bite me as much either. I only mention the bite factor because i have a tin of 1998 that still bites like an inferno everytime. Dont hesitate to purchase vintage 2006 if you have enjoyed 2005 .

I have smoked a tin 2006 Christmas Cheer already, and it's only September. It is simply spectacular...surely the best Christmas Cheer that I have tried. Its flakes are smaller than I recall from previous years, and doesn't seem to have the uber-sugar content of 1998 and 2004 Christmas Cheers. I think this will be a legendary vintage; I'm so impressed, I have 18 tins in the cellar already, evidence of my confidence in its aging potential. I'll report back in a few years.

This blend is not as sweet as some of the other Christmas Cheers that I have tried. It burns very nicely and is an all around great smoke. It has a tangy, earthy and almost cinnamon taste to it. It smokes very cool, and does not bite. The room note is not as good as some VA blends but is completely natural. Although not as good as some of the earlier Christmas Cheers, with some aging it will smooth the edges out and be a very fine smoke.

Cinnamon-flavoured Virginia flake. OK, semi-flake. Half-way through the tin I am so bored with this tobacco it's drudgery to finish it.

Don't get it, don't like it, don't recommend it, won't buy it again.

McClelland is one of the brands you can grab almost any tin of it and be satisfied. If it says McClelland, go ahead and try it.

I think this is an excellent, rich and smooth straight virginia which will improve with age. I've just finished a 100g tin over the last 6 weeks and I smoke this WELL dried. I smoke one bowl of this in the evening and it's never harsh. It's rich and naturally sweet, with a medium body smoke. Very little bite, and is one of the smoothest straight virginias I've ever tried. Generally I find straight virginia tobacco a little boring, but I like this one quite a bit.