I recently got both McClelland's Holiday Spirit 2011 and Peterson's Christmas Blend 2011.
Let me first say that I smoke almost exclusively English type blends but since the weather has gotten colder here in upstate New York I have been suddenly craving aro's......
McClelland's has a very nutty pecan, bitter (good) dark chocolate, cinnamon aroma that I loved as it is not sweet. Very full aroma and lots of billowy smoke. I would think this is the perfect Holiday aro for the person that doesn't smoke aro's regularly but wants that special Holiday blend.
I actually had my first bowl of Peterson's today and as soon as I lit it up it was "WOW!" A sweet candied fruit aroma just as the tin describes... you feel like you could eat the smoke it is that flavorful...surprisingly I really enjoyed this blend also! Halfway through the bowl I had "visions of sugarplums dancing in my head!!"
I think that they are both different enough that you can't go wrong picking up a tin of each so you are ready for whatever mood hits you. To me McClelland's Holiday Spirit has that outdoor smoke kind of feel to it while the Peterson's Christmas Blend is one seems to be more enjoyable indoors in a comfy chair and a hot toddy of your choice!
Either way I don't think you can go wrong.....
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