McClelland Christmas Cheer 2008

I love most offerings from the great folks at McClelland, but this one just does not strike a note with me. It is not a bad tobacco by any means, it is just not very exciting.

It came very moist, and after some drying out I loaded this up and gave it a go. It was a solid Virginia blend, but was not very exciting for me. After many bowls in many pipes I can only give this blend two stars. Based on the other reviews you should definitely give this blend a try, but for me there are many more exciting Virginia blends out there.

At first after purchasing 15 tins of Christmas 2008 it was hard to light and smoked very slow and needed to be re-lit. So I left it alone for 2 years. Now it is easy to light and very enjoyable puff with lots of natural flavor. It just needed time to age, I guess. Update:

Tired of the hard to stay lit and the bite, I put the can in a

coffee blender, reducing the flakes to small chunks, top it with

MacBaren Burley to help start it, put it in a large bowl pipe. This helps make a reasonable slow burning puff.

If I had to stick with one Brand it would be MacBaren. I will not be doing the Christmas offerings again.

This one of those blends I discovered what I don't like & gave it to a fellow pipe smoker. I'm sure it's a good blend, it turns out I don't like as mentioned in a earlier review the typical McClelland ketchup/vinegar smell.

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.

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.

This is my first Christmas Cheer, and it is some good stuff. A most excellant Virginia smoke with a nice fulfilling taste and note. My only issue is that I can't seem to keep the darn thing lit for more than 2 minutes, but the smoke is so good its worth the cost in matches and lighters. Good stuff get some.

Edit: I was much more gracious in my youth. This was like burning lawn clippings. It held so little of my affection that I sold it 7 years later for a pittance. I don't think Virginias are for me.

Ketchup in a can! Nice flavor, but the tin odor is stomach turning.

Mmmm... I reall prefer the 2002/2003 vintages: this one doesn't seem as sweet and rich, although it certainly is a nice Virginia and it's more or less what one would expect after so many years of Christmas Cheer.

It has some sourness and a certain background musty/woody taste: not bad, but on the long run it is quite astringent.

If packed well (I like to rub it out a bit), it burns fine and clean, though it may require some relightings towards the bottom of the bowl.

Once again I will say that this is fine tobacco, typically McClelland, but that #27 and Blackwoods Flake have more personality IMHO.