McClelland Christmas Cheer 2006

Rich and sweet, once again McC's choice for a year's represenative tobacco is worth the coin. The tin aroma quickly fades and the debris to be groomed out is scant. This should age well, if I have the discipline to let it sit in my cellar. Without reservation, I recommed this to all who prize sweet Virginia tobak. My only regret comes when the bowl's load has burned to ash, leaving only a memory...

Meerschaum Man Smoking a circa '69 no-name Bent Rusticated Meer

Figured it was time to throw my hat into the ring regarding the Christmas Cheer 2006. This is my first CC and I think my first straight VA, with English and VaPers being my usual fare. From the very first bowl the straight-forward clean, sweet taste of this tobacco has had me captivated. In fact, it has almost been my exclusive smoke since it arrived. Since I have not been smoking as heavily in the colder weather the first tin is still hanging on, although I have ordered 4 more to set aside for future years. I think it has already been mentioned but there is very little aftertaste from this tobacco, and absolutely no cloying or astringent characteristic. I have smoked 3 bowls of this in close succession on a recent car trip and no adverse tongue or mouth bite. With my last order I got a tin of Aniversary and a tin of Blackwoods Flake which I intend to crack open and compare over the Christmas holiday. They will have to do pretty well to get into the same catagory as CC 2006.

Cheer '06 is my first go at McClelland's vintage Virginia flakes. The tobacco itself is very appealing, with medium browns and some bright stripes. The flakes are nearly square and about 1.25 inches long. The tin aroma has less A1 Steak Sauce ambience than the usual McClelland offerings. This is a naturally sweet smoke with less than the usual VA bite. About as smooth and tasty a VA as I've had in the past three decades of piping, with layers of nuance. Easy light and even burn all the way down. This is a pricey blend, and I'm not sure that it is cost-justified for my tastes. It is excellent, but there are other excellent VAs available that cost less. For me, the vintage approach toward blends is not worth the extra price. For this reason, I've got to take one star away, despite this being a wonderful smoke. If you don't mind paying the premium, and appreciate matured VAs, you're almost certain to enjoy this vintage Cheer.

I purchased 4 tins of CC some months ago & vowed not to touch it untill Christmass. Sadly, anticipation & weekness of character made me not wait for Santa. But having said that, I was pleased I did. On opening the tin the aroma was not typical of McC's other Va flakes, the ketchup smell was there but only just. With the aroma of dried figs & deep hay & the appearance of short 1in square pieces mid brown in colour with golden flecks looked very pleasing. After char lighting this tobacco got going very nicely. Straight away you are aware that this is something very special. It is unlike any other Va that McC or anyone else for that matter produces. This is a lovely, lovely thing. Soft, Rich & creamy with layers of fruit & spice coming & going, not unlike a good Christmass Pudding. CC just keeps giving from beginning to end. This tobacco, Christmass Cheer is truly a gift from Santa. Merry Xmass to the good old boys at McClelland, they have done it again.