McClelland Christmas Cheer 2007
(3.42)
Hand blended, premium pressed Virginia flake tobaccos. Vintage red,ripe and mellow from the crop of 2001. Natural sweetness and zest. In limited quantity
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Broken Flake |
| Packaging | 100 grams tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.42 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 09, 2015 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
A bit on the darker side of the CC's I've smoked, with McClellands typically pungent fermented tin aroma. Thicker flakes than previous versions I've smoked, and came wetter than I like. In fact, it took an overnight out on a paper towel to get this dry enough to fully enjoy. Comments are based on 2 oz, as I want to save the other 2 since this is my only tin.
Very balanced blend, with a total harmony of grassiness, sweetness, spiciness and tang. Rarely did any of these come to the fore except for the very end of the bowl, when the spiciness took over just a bit. Balanced... and that was I think what kept it from a 4th star. This had none of the brashness of 2005 (and '06 to a degree) and little of it's spicy roundness. This was flat in comparison, but still a tasty blend. I think I would have liked it more if one of those four attributes took over and lead the parade. But there is a place for blends like this in my rotation, for when I don't want to pay close attention to the flavors as they build in other blends. As with all the CC's, this is unfritzed-with Virginia tobacco - very natural. And all the different years I've smoked taste at least somewhat different. This one is mellow and inoffensive. For my taste it could have been a bit bolder. But it's a nice blend as it is, and I can't expect them all to be as incredible as the '05. Recommended for VA lovers that prefer balance.
Very balanced blend, with a total harmony of grassiness, sweetness, spiciness and tang. Rarely did any of these come to the fore except for the very end of the bowl, when the spiciness took over just a bit. Balanced... and that was I think what kept it from a 4th star. This had none of the brashness of 2005 (and '06 to a degree) and little of it's spicy roundness. This was flat in comparison, but still a tasty blend. I think I would have liked it more if one of those four attributes took over and lead the parade. But there is a place for blends like this in my rotation, for when I don't want to pay close attention to the flavors as they build in other blends. As with all the CC's, this is unfritzed-with Virginia tobacco - very natural. And all the different years I've smoked taste at least somewhat different. This one is mellow and inoffensive. For my taste it could have been a bit bolder. But it's a nice blend as it is, and I can't expect them all to be as incredible as the '05. Recommended for VA lovers that prefer balance.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 01, 2008 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
I knew I should have waited..... But, since I've smoked every vintage of Christmas Cheer except this one, I figured I'd give it a try. Rough around the edges, but certainly has the potential to age well. The tobacco arrived very chunky in the tin and was certainly not yet in smokeable form the way I like to work the leaf.
I have read where some reviewers do not appreciate the difficulty in rubbing 2007 CC out. Try taking a pipeful or two out of the tin and place it on a paper towel or napkin for an hour or two. Then rub it out with ease. The moisture content should have dissipated substantially and keeping it lit will not be a problem.
This vintage tasted a bit stronger and was more odorous than the most recent offerings. Perhaps I'm being an optimist, but I really do believe this one could develop into a bellringer with 5 or more years of age to it. My other two tins are now in my "cellar."
I have read where some reviewers do not appreciate the difficulty in rubbing 2007 CC out. Try taking a pipeful or two out of the tin and place it on a paper towel or napkin for an hour or two. Then rub it out with ease. The moisture content should have dissipated substantially and keeping it lit will not be a problem.
This vintage tasted a bit stronger and was more odorous than the most recent offerings. Perhaps I'm being an optimist, but I really do believe this one could develop into a bellringer with 5 or more years of age to it. My other two tins are now in my "cellar."
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 22, 2011 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is my first CC, bought back when it first became available and aged since then in my cellar. Typical McClelland vinegar aroma in the tin. It needed some airing-out. In fact, I always found this a bit bitey no matter the moisture level. The only thing that worked was an accident: I left several bowls' worth out to dry for too long, and then had to re-hydrate it. That smoothed it out without sacrificing any of the flavor. Try that if you have the same problem. A pretty pleasant smoke overall, with both sweet and salty notes.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 28, 2008 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This isn't one of my favourite McClellands. It smells just fine and it smokes..well just about tolerably, but it doesn't give you what you expect from these masters of the art. I wish it tasted as good as it smells...which is something like Christmas Plum Pudding...but it never delivers anything other than a VA ready to bite you at any second. Shame really. I have one more tin and I'll hide that away for a year or so and hope it matures a bit.
Updated review June 2008
I'm still working through the same tin I reviewed earlier and I must admit that I am enjoying it more now. There's less of the plum pudding and more of a scent of cloves and cinnamon and this is coming through in the smoking as well. I rubbed out the entire contents, not something I normally do and that combined with a few months airing in the tin seems to have improved the smoking qualities really well.
Upped to 3 stars now:-)
Updated review June 2008
I'm still working through the same tin I reviewed earlier and I must admit that I am enjoying it more now. There's less of the plum pudding and more of a scent of cloves and cinnamon and this is coming through in the smoking as well. I rubbed out the entire contents, not something I normally do and that combined with a few months airing in the tin seems to have improved the smoking qualities really well.
Upped to 3 stars now:-)
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 26, 2014 | Mild | Mild | Mild | Pleasant |
Nice smoke few relights I cut the flakes into smaller chunks . It is a grassy sweet smoke . Ton opening smell like vinegar or ketchup woth a nose tickle of spice.I smoked it down to the bowl . I did puff agressive and got some bite but thays my fault Churchwarden was used. ..
Pipe Used:
Churchwarden pipe
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
aged 7 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 18, 2013 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Primarily a smoker of Oriental blends, I smoke Virginias as a change of pace. While it's unlikely that I'll ever convert to the notion that straight Virginias are the most interesting tobaccos to smoke, as MeCelland claims, the Christmas Cheer series offers what is probably some of the best Virginia leaf available in a vintage year format. It took me since 2008 to finish this tin but it was always enjoyable--sweet, rich and complex. I'll move on to the 2008 incarnation next, which should have matured nicely in the tin.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 05, 2009 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild | Pleasant |
This is a very, very good Virginia when aged for 1 year or more, It is also much better few months after opening the tin, this is a Virginia with the typical McClelland ketchup aroma however it is a sublime and memorable Virginia, available from eBay, you must try it at least once!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 02, 2008 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
My Christmas Cheer 2007 arrived last week. It is also the first time I tried any of these seasonal tobacco's. I really loved the smell from the freshly opened tin: ripe, fruity and spicy and possibly a Perique smell as well. But this is not stated in the description! I might add some of my own to a few pipefuls soon.. It is a broken flake, dark brown in appearance and I haven't yet decided whether to rub it out or not. For the rest, a quality matured VA, zesty and spicy, sip it!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 21, 2008 | Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
My first Christmas Cheer. I have started a new tradition! What a wonderful blend. Rubs out easily, a mild and flavorful smoke. A little on the moist side, but well within what I am used to for a pressed cake. Remarkable!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 24, 2007 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild | Pleasant |
When you open the box, you do not get impressed by the perfume. Mmm? Ketchup Heinz with more vinegar.
It is enough liquid and surely it needs a lot of drying. Fine quality of red Virginia with natural sweetness and without any smells. You need to be careful when you fill in the bowl cause if you push it, it will burn your tongue. It is difficult to smoke it and especially if you smoke it nervously, it will bite your tongue immediately.
I cannot compare it with Christmas Cheer of previously years cause I haven?t tried them. I have one more tin which I will keep for next year.
First impression: medium to good.
It is enough liquid and surely it needs a lot of drying. Fine quality of red Virginia with natural sweetness and without any smells. You need to be careful when you fill in the bowl cause if you push it, it will burn your tongue. It is difficult to smoke it and especially if you smoke it nervously, it will bite your tongue immediately.
I cannot compare it with Christmas Cheer of previously years cause I haven?t tried them. I have one more tin which I will keep for next year.
First impression: medium to good.
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