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 23 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 01, 2008 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
I was able to procure the last tin/tub of this wonderful tobacco from my local tobacconist, and for a reasonable price. To begin with, I knew what I was getting into with the aged VA's, but some newbs might be confused as to why this is called "Christmas Cheer," and isn't positively laced with cinnamon, cranberry, clove, nutmeg topping and pine-cone essence. Well, for starters, that'd likely be disgusting. Second, this tobacco is more to showcase some absolutely top quality aged Virginia tobacco in limited quantity around the holidays.
Upon opening, the first thing you notice beyond the small-ish flakes of dark virginia is the distinct fermented smell. Indeed there is a noticeable vinegar/ketchup aroma floating on top of that natural tobacco smell. But with all great tobacco's, every time you sniff, you get something different and there's many layers here. There's that really great VA, earthy, autumn leaves aroma going on and I know I said it wasn't "christmas-y" but is that clove I detect in the background? Tiniest hint of vanilla?
Even after aging for a year, there's still a good amount of moisture in the flakes, so after rubbing these somewhat thick flakes out, I recommend giving them a moment to dry. Char-light, tamp, relight, tamp, then final light and you should be good to go. You'll notice instantly that the vinegar-y smell is virtually gone once it's lit. Man oh man, this tobacco has turned me into a VA fan. Smokes nice and cool, though stronger in taste and nic than what I'm used to. The spicey/sweetness is subtle but distinct and the cleanliness of the aftertaste is about as perfect as you could hope for. About midway through the bowl, this tobaco took on a bit of an espresso note, amazing stuff. Hardcore aromatic fans may likely not enjoy this, but I find it to be a truly great, natural VA tobacco. Glad I bought this!
Upon opening, the first thing you notice beyond the small-ish flakes of dark virginia is the distinct fermented smell. Indeed there is a noticeable vinegar/ketchup aroma floating on top of that natural tobacco smell. But with all great tobacco's, every time you sniff, you get something different and there's many layers here. There's that really great VA, earthy, autumn leaves aroma going on and I know I said it wasn't "christmas-y" but is that clove I detect in the background? Tiniest hint of vanilla?
Even after aging for a year, there's still a good amount of moisture in the flakes, so after rubbing these somewhat thick flakes out, I recommend giving them a moment to dry. Char-light, tamp, relight, tamp, then final light and you should be good to go. You'll notice instantly that the vinegar-y smell is virtually gone once it's lit. Man oh man, this tobacco has turned me into a VA fan. Smokes nice and cool, though stronger in taste and nic than what I'm used to. The spicey/sweetness is subtle but distinct and the cleanliness of the aftertaste is about as perfect as you could hope for. About midway through the bowl, this tobaco took on a bit of an espresso note, amazing stuff. Hardcore aromatic fans may likely not enjoy this, but I find it to be a truly great, natural VA tobacco. Glad I bought this!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 06, 2008 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Update: Just to put some emphasis on what I think this tobacco is and what I think it will be in the years to come, I put 18 tins away for storage (#1 by tins for me). This also blends wonderfully. I wish McClelland would sell bulk bags of this vintage. YMMV and that means more for me!
Original: Just about as delicious a red Virginia you can find. Medium-plus taste quotient, but not really bordering full. Once I opened the tin, I could not stop smoking it, and it kept getting better as it aired. I am rubbing the flakes out somewhat for a better burn. Tongue bite is not an issue. Any size and configured pipe works just fine.
Sweet, rich, and refined, tasting exactly like, well, Virginia leaf! Not cased nor artifically flavored in my sampling, I do not know how this gets an average rating of "Extremely mild" for flavoring on TB.
Wonderful now and likely even better in years to come.
Original: Just about as delicious a red Virginia you can find. Medium-plus taste quotient, but not really bordering full. Once I opened the tin, I could not stop smoking it, and it kept getting better as it aired. I am rubbing the flakes out somewhat for a better burn. Tongue bite is not an issue. Any size and configured pipe works just fine.
Sweet, rich, and refined, tasting exactly like, well, Virginia leaf! Not cased nor artifically flavored in my sampling, I do not know how this gets an average rating of "Extremely mild" for flavoring on TB.
Wonderful now and likely even better in years to come.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 20, 2007 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
CC '07 comes in the familiar and welcome red wrapped tin and when opening it, you are greeted by the familiar McClelland ketchup/acid-like aroma (something I have grown to look forward to). Has familiarity bred contempt for this new edition of Christmas Cheer? To make a long story short, no. Absolutely no.
CC '07 comes in smallish flakes of medium thickness that are quite dark in color. Immediately upon opening the tin I realized that I would need to dry it out a bit, so I left the tin open for a couple of hours before smoking any. I did my usual fold, twist and stuff and then hit it with flame from my Ohio Blue tip (extra-long kitchen size) and it was "Lucy, I'm Home!" Sweet, musty, pungent and spicy smoke greeted my palate with a sensation that made me ask, is there perique in this? That perique-like sensation lasted throughout the bowl and every bowl since.
CC '07 is very good. VERY good. I am glad I bought a few tins, because I look forward to trying this again with some age on it.
CC '07 comes in smallish flakes of medium thickness that are quite dark in color. Immediately upon opening the tin I realized that I would need to dry it out a bit, so I left the tin open for a couple of hours before smoking any. I did my usual fold, twist and stuff and then hit it with flame from my Ohio Blue tip (extra-long kitchen size) and it was "Lucy, I'm Home!" Sweet, musty, pungent and spicy smoke greeted my palate with a sensation that made me ask, is there perique in this? That perique-like sensation lasted throughout the bowl and every bowl since.
CC '07 is very good. VERY good. I am glad I bought a few tins, because I look forward to trying this again with some age on it.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 31, 2007 | Mild | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Nothing bad can be said about any of the Christmas Cheer blends. They have never tinned anything but tobaccos of the highest of quality for this once a year release. The popularity of some years over others thus becomes a question of taste more than quality. This said, to my taste Christmas Cheer 2007 is the best release of the decade- - so far.
CC 2007 is a mellower blend than many previous ones, exhibiting a rounded sweetness which balances extraordinarily well against the reediness that many, including me, seek in smoking Virginia tobaccos. The bowl starts round and sweet, does not lose its roundness as it moves to reedy, meanwhile a "non-aromatic", "non-soapy", completely natural floral top note teases the palate. This is a great one.
CC 2007 is a mellower blend than many previous ones, exhibiting a rounded sweetness which balances extraordinarily well against the reediness that many, including me, seek in smoking Virginia tobaccos. The bowl starts round and sweet, does not lose its roundness as it moves to reedy, meanwhile a "non-aromatic", "non-soapy", completely natural floral top note teases the palate. This is a great one.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
I always have trouble reviewing Christmas Cheer. They are all great for lovers of pure Virginias (like me), but even though the Virginias come from different growing areas, the taste differences are so subtle (at least to me) that it is difficult to compare and contrast them. The only one that I think I could identify blindfolded among the ones I've tried is the 2002, which seems to take the idea of single-crop purity found in this series to the level of outright austerity...
The 2007 is just what one expects from the CC series: pure, American Virginia served up in the McClelland way.
The 2007 is just what one expects from the CC series: pure, American Virginia served up in the McClelland way.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 17, 2008 | Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
UPDATE**** I aged this tin from September 2007 until today. It is amazing!! It is aging wonderfully. The Virgina is at its peak. The taste has sweetened. I wish I would have bought more than one...
ORIGINAL***
It is smooth and creamy with a vinegar/clove smell that does in fact invoke a holiday air and feeling. It does have a calming effect just smoking a pipe full whilst warming yourself by a fire with a brightly lit Christmas tree and your favorite Christmas shows on the tube.
The Virginians are brilliant in taste. It has an aromatic taste but is easily better than any aromatic. Well done. 4 stars.
Can burn quite hot but with a little care is a smokers delight.
ORIGINAL***
It is smooth and creamy with a vinegar/clove smell that does in fact invoke a holiday air and feeling. It does have a calming effect just smoking a pipe full whilst warming yourself by a fire with a brightly lit Christmas tree and your favorite Christmas shows on the tube.
The Virginians are brilliant in taste. It has an aromatic taste but is easily better than any aromatic. Well done. 4 stars.
Can burn quite hot but with a little care is a smokers delight.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 12, 2008 | Medium to Strong | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I am usually a fan of latakia in some degree or another. I am also a cigar aficionado and have switched to pipes after a long hiatus...20 years or so...and am now coming back with a vengence and love getting back to briar and the diversity of pipe tobacco. I decided to try McClelland upon a recommendation from my tobacconist and loved the can (that's right, I did judge a book by the cover). It was also two days before Christmas and thought I would try a Christmas Blend for a bit of a change. Upon opening the can, it did smell like ketchup. The first pipe was OK and before I was completed with that first bowel, I was thinking I wasted my time and wanted a taste of latakia. My second bowl a few days later was surprisingly better and after a few more bowls, I was sold that this was a blend I would keep as a regular.
I think this will age nicely and will buy a few tins to stash away. Am now going to venture out to Virginans which are not blended with latakia. Any recommendations anyone? The room note is very pleasant and one test that gives any tobacco that I smoke is the comments from my wife. She loved it. I also feel it leaves a nice cake on the bowls. I do not detect any tongue bite. Really a tobacco I can smoke everyday.
Addition #1: Smoked this in one of my meerschums and it was truely a treat. Smoked very cool and was a nice mouth wash after a strong Odessey smoke tonight.
I think this will age nicely and will buy a few tins to stash away. Am now going to venture out to Virginans which are not blended with latakia. Any recommendations anyone? The room note is very pleasant and one test that gives any tobacco that I smoke is the comments from my wife. She loved it. I also feel it leaves a nice cake on the bowls. I do not detect any tongue bite. Really a tobacco I can smoke everyday.
Addition #1: Smoked this in one of my meerschums and it was truely a treat. Smoked very cool and was a nice mouth wash after a strong Odessey smoke tonight.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 21, 2013 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
I love this tobacco. As for what it smells like in the tin - I could care less. I often see various CC vintages compared to Ratrays Old Gowrie but that is comparing apples to oranges, or in this case Mature VA to VAPers. A better comparison for OG would be McClelland Beacon - which is one of my favorites behind CC.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 05, 2011 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild | Pleasant |
Its 4 years old now and while a its enjoyable, it doesnt blow me away. Standing alone, its a little weak for me. Still quality though. If only they could get rid of that god awful ketchup smell from the tin.
Update. The more i smoke of this the more it's subtle flavours come out. It's teaching me to enjoy milder Va's. After 4 months the vinegar smell is all but gone and now smells very nice. Up to 4 stars.
Update. The more i smoke of this the more it's subtle flavours come out. It's teaching me to enjoy milder Va's. After 4 months the vinegar smell is all but gone and now smells very nice. Up to 4 stars.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 04, 2010 | Mild | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
I am a virginia lover and find the "ketchup" tin smell from McClelland virginia's wonderful. So, you know what I think. Sweet and tangy like citrus with a spicy background. My pallate is not as refined as some, I'm sure, therefore I find each year to taste somewhat similar, but that is fine by me because I love them. No need to concentrate while smoking this one the sweetness comes through easily.
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