McClelland Christmas Cheer 2008

A nice VA flake. Similar to the Christmas 2007 but I gave the 2007 a higher mark...not sure why and I don't have a 2007 to compare to. Typical McClelland ketchup scent when opeing the tin. Beutiful cut flakes that as a result of the sweet VA would age well. Moist and could use a bit of drying out before smoking but never seem to wait long enough. This is my current VA on rotation since I usually have one VA, one Aromatic and a few latakia blends always open. If I buy another tim, will store it and smoke in a few years. Nice for a break for a latakia smoker. If I was a hard core VA smoker, would rate it higher.

This is a typical McClelland Virginia with ketchup aroma; this is a fruity and naturally sweet tobacco, tasty and deep, easy to smoke directly from the tin and will get much better after few years, overall good investment and great stuff.

Buy some now, enjoy them later!

I just needed to throw my 2 cents in on this outstanding tobacco. Not too much to add other than this stuff is VA done right. Pure natural tobacco. If you love VA tobacco you owe it to yourself to try this stuff. As far as the catsup smell (I personally think it smells like a good worcestershire) You either like it or you dont.

I recognize that got high expectatives on this tobacco. I would recommended this blend just for VA lovers. It´s funny the vinegar-ketchup smell when you open the can, but it tastes flat for me. Anyway is an high quality tobacco.

Christmas cheer confirms my suspicions that Most any straight Virginia needs at least a year to develop and mellow. I was expecting a great straight Virgina smoke and was looking forward to a seasonal blend. I was disappointed; it is harsh and not as pleasant as other virginia's, I've smoked about half the tin and will have to force myself to smoke the other half. This was my first stab at CC but I don't think it will be my last I may get another tin and let it sit for some time. One plus is that it does have a nice unadulterated tobacco taste and essence but I can't give it 3 stars.

Having read that the tobacco's for this were chosen in 2000, an eight year old flake sounded like a dream come true.

Sadly I was a little dissapointed, this tobacco wasn't as rich and tasty as I had beleived it might be, that being said, this is a tobacco that I beleive will age beautifully in two or three years, thus my purchase of three tins, one for now and two more for two or three years time.

Having got past the ketchup smell, I found this to be a mild almost monochromatic mild smoke of a good quality virginia, no huge burst of taste or flavour. I was unable to distinguish anything special at all, but for some reason, I have this unshakable (suspicion if you like) belief that in a year or two, or maybe even three, this will be a tobacco I will regret not having bought by the pound.

What better way to start Christmas morning 2008 than with a bowl of McClelland's 2008 Christmas Cheer loaded up in a new Christmas pipe? (1970s Peterson's Shamrock Canadian estate piece that I purchased for the occasion).

I should have taken the time to let the leaf dry after popping the tin. It was too moist and made the full rub out difficult and the blend had to be re-lit often. I smoked slowly to avoid tongue bite and was rewarded with loads of Virginia flavor.

The McClelland's Christmas Cheer series is always top-shelf each year. Always similar in taste, this one's flavor is near the top of the ladder. Get you some.

Merry Christmas to all at tobaccoreviews.com!

Pipestud

Silent night, holy night...

Magnificent Blend!

Highly Recommend!

I decided to purchase a tin of this because of the great reviews and am sad to say that I either expected too much or appreciate it too little. I don't understand the fan fair this blend gets. After repeated attempts my opinion does not change on this tobacco. It rubs out nicely and after a few hours of drying out still has a hard time staying lit. It starts to bite if you attempt to keep it smoldering and I just was not impressed with the taste, room note or the flame outs. I tried to be objective and introduced it to my pipe club cohorts and the jury had the same verdict. I doubt I will finish what is left in the tin and will revisit this in a few months to see if something changes. I really don't know if this was just the hype that got to me or what. Sorry guys whether its catchup or ketchup I would go for something else in the future.