McClelland Christmas Cheer 2013
(3.63)
Handblended, premium pressed Virginia flake pipe tobaccos. A fine vintage, naturally sweet, in limited quantity. The 2013 blend is made with a special selection of orange, flue-cured Virginia from the 2009 crop near Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Picked at the peak ripeness, high in natural sugars, rich in oils, intense in color, this is a marvelous leaf that should age with distinction.
Notes: Released at the 2013 IPCPR trade show.
Additional material from McClelland: We present this 2013 Christmas blend in partially broken flakes so the smoker can rub them out to suit any occasion. Savor the flavor as it develops throughout the smoke.
Each buying season, we search for tobaccos that possess superior quality and distinctive character. In various combinations, their flavors, aromas, and textures contribute to overall excellence in our entire pipe tobacco product line. The leaves of different crops and regions are blended to maintain consistency from year to year.
With Christmas Cheer, we treat our discriminating customers to the singular pleasure of a tasting of the very finest in tobaccos of a particular vintage, not worrying about maintaining the flavor and appearance of future generations of this product but actually striving instead to capture the unique character of a single crop and area.
That's what Christmas Cheer is all about. Happy Sampling!
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
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.63 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 19, 2015 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Very Pleasant |
The sweet Virginias are a bit earthy with slight grass and a lot of dried dark fruit tanginess and wood. The mild spice reminds me of nutmeg. The "vinegar" last a little but doesn't distract if you're used to it, because you come expect it from the CC offerings. No bite, no harshness. Has a slightly more than a mild nic-hit. The strength is in the center of mild to medium, while the taste level just reaches the medium mark. Burns slow and moist, but a little dry time will fix the latter, though I really don't so much of that. Requires relights, and will leaves a little moisture in your pipe. Smooth and deep consistent flavor with a very pleasant after taste that pleasantly lingers. Can be an all day sweet smoke.
-JimInks
-JimInks
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 01, 2014 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Unnoticeable |
Half the tin is now smoked and I'm ready to give an honest review as I believe I've discovered everything this blend can do.
I love McClelland blends especially VA based and Straight VA's. This blend to me is consistently on the weak side compared to the rest of their offerings, even for straight VAs. This one really will shine with some aging and quite frankly (storing) was in mind when it was created. Don't think this one is in a general smokers rotation as it's a limited supply and quantity built to age.
This blend got my attention as the tobacco they used was plucked not far from my own hometown. I like the unique sweet flavor that is this blends alone. I can tell you the size and shape of the bowl makes a BIG difference in this blend. I got the most out of it by blending it in a small food processor and from a Straight grained billard with a large bowl. I do recommend this blend but it's really for storing. Enjoy!
Pipes used. Peterson XL305, Comory Straight Grain, Luciano hand made Dublin Bowl.
I love McClelland blends especially VA based and Straight VA's. This blend to me is consistently on the weak side compared to the rest of their offerings, even for straight VAs. This one really will shine with some aging and quite frankly (storing) was in mind when it was created. Don't think this one is in a general smokers rotation as it's a limited supply and quantity built to age.
This blend got my attention as the tobacco they used was plucked not far from my own hometown. I like the unique sweet flavor that is this blends alone. I can tell you the size and shape of the bowl makes a BIG difference in this blend. I got the most out of it by blending it in a small food processor and from a Straight grained billard with a large bowl. I do recommend this blend but it's really for storing. Enjoy!
Pipes used. Peterson XL305, Comory Straight Grain, Luciano hand made Dublin Bowl.
PurchasedFrom:
JR Cigars.
Age When Smoked:
Fresh from 2013 tin over 5 months.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 13, 2013 | Medium | Medium | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is another fine addition to the CC series. As with the rest in the line, it is a very good weed used in making this fine vintage. Like the rest this also should age very well with it getting better with age. Recommended.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 01, 2013 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is a great flake Virginia, Tin note somewhat "Ketchupy" but this is typical with McClelland Virginia flakes. The flavor is nice and tangy with a bit of spice. reminds me a bit of Dunhill's Royal yacht but without the "Punch". Smoke is cool and long lasting. all in all a great mix, go buy some before it runs out!!!
I only got 1 tin and wish I got more. I just might order up a few more for storage.
I only got 1 tin and wish I got more. I just might order up a few more for storage.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 08, 2015 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I purchased this tobacco when it came out two years ago. I was just dipping my toes in Virginias at the time, and hadn't even been smoking a year yet. The first time I tried a bowl of it I quit half-way through--too subtle for me back then. I've had it aging in my cellar ever since, and tried a bowl in a fresh cob today. Age (both for me and the tobacco) have worked wonders. The smoke was long-lasting, with pleasing plumes of smoke. The typical raisin-hay qualities of the Virgina leaf as aged wonderfully, and packed a decent punch of Vitamin N. I look forward to sampling this tobacco as the years go on.
Pipe Used:
Corn Cob
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
2 Years
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