Replacement for Christmas Cheer

deepspringfarm

Might Stick Around

Dec 29, 2013

86

19

• Dec 7, 2017

• #1

Every Christmas my wife ( I mean Santa) would drop a few tins of Christmas Cheer into my stocking. What would be a good replacement for this since it is no longer being made? One problem is that it won’t really be smoked during the holidays, at least for that year, because We are pretty much at the tail end at that point. It would have to be something that could be aged at least a year or so. Any suggestions?

This year will be weird without those tins in my stocking.

 

beefeater33

Lifer

Apr 14, 2014

4,089

6,188

Central Ohio

• Dec 7, 2017

• #2

McCranies Red Flake........... not an exact match but damn good stuff!!............ ::

http://www.mccranies.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6

 

troutface

Lifer

Oct 26, 2012

2,335

11,454

Colorado

• Dec 7, 2017

• #3

The 40th Anniversary is Christmas Cheer in a blue can. Fantastic stuff, even fresh.

 

JimInks

Sultan of Smoke

Aug 31, 2012

61,177

561,766

• Dec 7, 2017

• #4

Both suggestions are good. I'd also suggest C&D Carolina Red Flake.

 

troutface

Lifer

Oct 26, 2012

2,335

11,454

Colorado

• Dec 7, 2017

• #5

I thought the Red Flake was sold out. Do you know something we don't know Jim?

 

deepspringfarm

Might Stick Around

Dec 29, 2013

86

19

• Dec 8, 2017

• #6

True, great ideas. But even though I am done with the holidays, I would like some kind of holiday tie in.

 

JimInks

Sultan of Smoke

Aug 31, 2012

61,177

561,766

• Dec 8, 2017

• #7

Troutface: no, I don't, but with the way things can be, I figure somebody might have some for sale somewhere.

 

mso489

Lifer

Feb 21, 2013

41,210

60,454

• Dec 8, 2017

• #8

McClelland has an array of excellent Virginia blends that will smoke now or age well. Just stroll through their web pages at any of the online retailers and follow your heart. The Christmas blend was a fine tradition, but with a bit of entertaining research, you will likely find one or more satisfying substitutes.

 

josephcross

Part of the Furniture Now

Dec 30, 2015

963

94

• Dec 8, 2017

• #9

I second McCrannies, or McClellands 40th Anniversary.

 

deepspringfarm

Might Stick Around

Dec 29, 2013

86

19

• Dec 8, 2017

• #10

McClellands does rule the virginias (not that there aren't other great ones out there :D)

 

pipestud

Lifer

Dec 6, 2012

2,010

1,750

Robinson, TX.

• Dec 8, 2017

• #11

In my humble opinion, McClelland's rules the roost on Virginia tobacco. Mike and Mary McNiel (and Mary's father before her), cultivated the farmers who produce the world's finest Virginia leaf. I've smoked just about every vintage of Christmas Cheer over the years, and they are indeed exemplary, but no Virginia that I have ever smoked has topped the new 40th Anniversary Blend. It is simply a tobacco that provides a richness and depth that I've never found in an all Virginia tobacco. I can only imagine what it will taste like in 5-10 years. If you want a replacement for Christmas Cheer, you sure could do worse than 40th Anniversary.

 

jvnshr

Moderator

Staff member

Sep 4, 2015

4,616

3,868

Baku, Azerbaijan

• Dec 8, 2017

• #12

I thought the Red Flake was sold out. Do you know something we don't know Jim?

Click to expand...

P&C had it until few days ago.

 

JimInks

Sultan of Smoke

Aug 31, 2012

61,177

561,766

• Dec 8, 2017

• #13

Perhaps McClelland Blackwoods flake would do? It's red and stoved Virginias.

 

mikestanley

Lifer

May 10, 2009

1,698

1,126

Akron area of Ohio

• Dec 8, 2017

• #14

McClelland #22 ages very nicely. Readily available. But, I’ll be putting away a tin or two of the 40th Anniversary.

Mike S.

 

alan73

Part of the Furniture Now

Apr 26, 2017

666

653

Wisconsin

• Dec 8, 2017

• #15

Damn Pipestud, I have several tins of 40th McC , but haven’t smoked any yet. You set off a TAD explosion in my little brain, better than Christmas cheer equals 20 or so tins for the future. going to the cellar in 5 minutes to immediately pop a tin and dry that stuff overnight . Totally agree on McClelland Virginia’s being awesome in general . Rob C. got me hooked on 2015 after getting an aged sample with a pipe purchase.

 

josephcross

Part of the Furniture Now

Dec 30, 2015

963

94

• Dec 8, 2017

• #16

I concur with Alan that hearing Pipestud’s endorsement of the 40th, has set off the TAD. McClelland 2015 is great right from the start, I can only see it getting better.

 

5star

Part of the Furniture Now

Nov 17, 2017

727

2,018

PacNW USA

• Dec 9, 2017

• #17

Last year I bought some Christmas Cheer 2016 from a local shop. I didn’t pick up the 2017, figuring I could do so later. (The shop had just received some Esoterica tins & bags and I was focused on those.) Of course, when I went back, the 2017 Christmas Cheer was all sold out. I have purchased some of the 40th Anniversary, but haven’t smoked it yet. After reading some of the endorsements here, I might have to order a couple more tins & try some of what I have. I originally had planned to give them some time first.

 

saltedplug

Lifer

Aug 20, 2013

5,194

5,100

• Dec 9, 2017

• #18

Why was CC discontinued? There's a few years left before deeming would prohibit its sale. Is it because McClellands ages the tobacco for 5 years before blending and tinning, and thus the time this process takes rolls into deeming?

 

deepspringfarm

Might Stick Around

Dec 29, 2013

86

19

• Dec 9, 2017

• #19

Yep, I think pipestud has convinced me that a need a few (dozen) tins of 40th anniversary!

 

5star

Part of the Furniture Now

Nov 17, 2017

727

2,018

PacNW USA

• Dec 9, 2017

• #20

I thought a change in the deeming date came later, in 2017 ? I could be wrong on that.