McClelland 2008 Holiday Spirit
(2.96)
This mild, smooth blend of burley, Virginia and cavendish tobaccos is flavored with dark rum, pecan and cocoa. It brings a warm glow to the coldest winter day. The aroma of a favorite holiday confection wafts from the bowl bringing pipe smoking contentment.
Details
| Brand | McClelland |
| Blended By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Manufactured By | McClelland Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Aromatic |
| Contents | Black Cavendish, Burley, Virginia |
| Flavoring | Cocoa / Chocolate, Pecan, Rum |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Mild
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Medium
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Very Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.96 / 4
|
Reviews
Please login to post a review.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 18, 2014 | Mild | Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
When I first transitioned from cigars to pipes, I started with English blends and it wasn’t until several years later that I tried my first boutique aromatic. I guess they say you never forget your first time and mine was with a tin of 2008 Holiday Spirit. I used to smoke it only in a churchwarden and it was wonderful. It started a Christmas morning tradition of a cup of coffee and an aromatic while opening presents with the family. I digress…..Anyway, while looking for something for the most recent Christmas; I opened a tin of Holiday Spirit that I had stashed away. It was still good, although I have found other aromatics more to my liking in the years gone by. There is just the right combination of rum, and cocoa sweetness that I remembered. I didn’t get much of the pecan however. As an aromatic, it is difficult to tell if aging helped to improve this blend, but it didn’t seem to hurt it either. There was no bitterness that I sometimes find with aromatic blends as the bowl progressed, just a deepening sweet rum flavor. There was no goop in the bowl either. While it didn’t make this past Christmas morning, and I don’t know if it was produced in 2013, it was a nice change of pace and a fond memory of when the kids were younger.
Pipe Used:
Churchwarden
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and Cigars
Age When Smoked:
5 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 27, 2015 | Mild | Mild | Mild | Very Pleasant |
Not too long ago I cracked my only tin of 2008 Holiday Spirit as I was in the mood for some sweetness. I was not disappointed. A typical McClelland's enhanced offering that still tasted like tobacco, yet delivered the advertised goods. The only nuance of flavor I could not detect was the cocoa, which is why I opened the tin in the first place. It still pleased.
Pipestud
Pipestud
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 2011 | Mild | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
If you can find this, buy it. I bought a few tins and I am down to my last one.
Something in the topping gives this a musty odor, maybe the cocoa or pecan. However, it doesn't transfer over to the smoke. Burns clean and cool, leaving a dry bowl and a happy palate.
I have paired this with a hot buttered rum, with good results.
Something in the topping gives this a musty odor, maybe the cocoa or pecan. However, it doesn't transfer over to the smoke. Burns clean and cool, leaving a dry bowl and a happy palate.
I have paired this with a hot buttered rum, with good results.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 06, 2009 | Mild | Medium | Medium | Very Pleasant |
The tobacco I'm reviewing is the 2009 Edition which has the same tin description as the 2008 Edition. So I wonder if there is any difference in the two years?
I've had a few bowls of Holiday Spirit and can say it is a great smoke. The best part of this smoke for me is the smell while I'm smoking. There is a nice spice aroma and that aroma lingers for awhile after the smoke. Over all its a smooth, great tasting smoke, but smoke slowly to avoid tongue bite. Also use a pipe dedicated to aromatics. I will purchase a few more tins to cellar for when the mood hits me.
I've had a few bowls of Holiday Spirit and can say it is a great smoke. The best part of this smoke for me is the smell while I'm smoking. There is a nice spice aroma and that aroma lingers for awhile after the smoke. Over all its a smooth, great tasting smoke, but smoke slowly to avoid tongue bite. Also use a pipe dedicated to aromatics. I will purchase a few more tins to cellar for when the mood hits me.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 07, 2010 | Mild | Medium | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
My first aromatic, very pleasing smoke, love the tin note and room aroma. My wife wants me to get more, and I won't mind doing so. A nice change of pace.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 12, 2009 | Mild to Medium | Medium | Medium | Very Pleasant |
This is the exact same blend as the 2009 version, just a different date on the label. A good aromatic that burned well and with only the slightest inclination to bite if puffed too aggressively. The flavors described are certainly present, although none of which remind me of the holidays. A good crowd pleaser with a pleasant taste for the aromatic smoker.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 20, 2009 | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Mild | Very Pleasant |
I find that this is a wonderful blend, with subtle notes of nut and rum. Very Christmasy; definately not a year-round smoke. Still really enjoyable.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 20, 2008 | Mild | Mild | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
Sampling at my local tobacconist, I purchased a tin believing with a little more aging, this might develop a bit more flavor depth due to the fine Virginia leaf. So, I will smoke it next Christmas in 2009 for a likely treat. I like it now, too.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 18, 2008 | Extremely Mild | Strong | Mild | Pleasant |
RUM RUM RUM! That's the main smell I got opening the tin. Fine by me...I'd dry it out a bit just because it's so damn moist. I find that drying it out for an hour prior to smoking will help lessen the syrupy texture that was accumulating in my mouth. I found that a corn cob pipe was best for maintaining a cool(er) smoke.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 07, 2008 | Mild | Mild | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
As far as an aromatic is concerned this is a good blend and the taste reflects caramel and rum. Perfect for the holidays but I don't think I would smoke much of it at other times of the year. The flavor seems to die close to the bottom of the bowl and loses a lot of character. I found it to be a bit of a hot smoke and had to really watch myself to keep it smoldering at the right temperature to avoid the tongue bite. I would not invest in a large portion of this blend but I do think it is appropriate for this time of year.
target="_blank"
