Christmas Cheer

[boston]

It's getting close to that time again and I've been eyeing some tins of McClelland Christmas Cheer in my cellar from various years. I've always been frugal with this blend, enjoying it sparingly. I try to let it age because it can nip me from time to time. I'm really not sure how much that helps actually...but I do enjoy it...very carefully.

While it's no longer available, sadly (although it's not too scarce on the secondary market for purchase and trades) I believe some of the members of this forum are fortunate to have deep cellars. For those of you familiar with different Christmas Cheer vintages, can you comment on differences and any especially notable vintages that you have enjoyed? I appreciate your thoughts!

 

[mso489]

One measly tin, but I'll be watching this thread.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

I’ve a bit left. I just enjoyed a bowl of Cheer 2010 yesterday evening. It was mellow, but sweet and seasonally spiced. The 10 years did this blend well in my opinion as it is very tasty. ️

 

[Prunetucky84]

I’ve been dabbing sparingly into my 2005 vintage I popped recently and it’s phenomenal. The sugars have crystallized nicely, it’s slightly sweet, slightly woody, deep, and the tin note and taste is very spicy! Baking spices that is. Nutmeg, all spice, cinnamon, and the hint of something green, almost reminds me of the sensation of wintergreen. It’s unbelievable good.

 

[mikestanley]

I believe I have six tins from five different years left. The oldest being 2003. I almost opened it but opted for my last tin of hermit Holiday 2008.
I'm in no hurry because they do improve with time. The McClelland Christmas tobacco I miss the most is Nutcracker Flake. IIRC, it was minted in 1993 when they didn't plan on doing a yearly Christmas Cheer. It was absolutely fantastic. The years where it is primarily red Virginia seem to be about the same ear to year. 2005 sticks out as a very good year. You really can't go wrong whichever year you have though.

Mike S.

 

[jon11]

2005 is excellent! I have a 1994 Christmas Cheer that I may open soon.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

I have a single tin of the 2014 vintage that I'm looking forward to cracking at some point.

 

[judcole]

I have several tins of recent vintages. Wanting to get some more years on the ones I have left, so not opening one this year.

 

[Keweenaw]

Popped a 2008 recently. Wonderful. I dried and smoked off the bat, but after sitting in the tin for a few weeks the ketchup smell is nearly gone. Not that it hinders the smoke, it shows that resting in the tin the tobacco can change. Now it's in a jar and hopefully the process continues.......

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I have unopened tins of 2004, 10, 14, 16 and 17 as well as a dozen of the 40th. I think I'll pop one of the 40th this week.

 

[rmpeeps]

Of the 1997, I’ve got 1/2 a tin in a jar, and one more sealed tin. One of the BEST Orange Virginias ever. It has aged well and smokes great with even a year in the jar.
Other outstanding CC’s include 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2013.
Orange years RULE!!

Cheers Through the Years | Smokingpipes Daily Reader

With the arrival of McClelland's 2014 Christmas Cheer (and wanting to create some copy that moved a bit beyond simply what was on the label, with the addition of

www.smokingpipes.com

 

[magicpiper]

I have a first year release of 1992 Christmas Cheer. It’s either going to be a great smoke OR a tin full of ketchup dust.

 

[sallow]

I have two tins of the 2013

 

[pitchfork]

I have a few tins put away (don't remember exactly which years), but 2003 is one of the best I've had. I last smoked it about 5 years ago and it was really complex with lots of warm baking spice flavors. Sweet, too.

2004 was also really good. If memory serves, it was actually harvested before the 2003, but aged longer before being tinned. Anyway, it had less spice and complexity than the 2003, but had an almost candy-like sweetness. Last time I smoked this was about 5 years ago.

2000 is great, too. Nice reddish hue. Made from a crop harvested in 1996.

 

[pip01]

I working my way thru a 2009 tin. Very good.

 

[select565]

I smoked a bowl of the 2008 I have jarred and was also wondering how much variation there is between vintages. Definitely enjoyed the smoke but it didn’t blow my mind. I think my expectations are too high from of all the hype.

 

[lukasstrifeson]

I did a sampling at a pipe show/pipe club in 2017 when McC's were shutting up shop. We did a blind comparison between 4 different tins ranging from 2004-2017 and it's not as straight forward as 'older is better'.

If I remember correctly from my tasting notes: 1) they were really all fantastic 9s or 10s out of ten; 2) the vinegar smell fades over time; 3) I think 2007/2008 ended up being my personal favorite; and lastly most importantly, 4) people's tasting notes were *very* different when they got to see the tin vs blind bowls.

I also distinctly remember the glowing opinion of McClelland's virginias to be about 50/50 when they were around. A lot of people really hated the ketchup/vinegar "topping", funny how now it's almost universally praised as the new Holy Grail.

 

[kola]

I've never smoked McC CC - ever. What's so special special about them? I read TR's about them but prefer the opinions from this crowd.

 

[pitchfork]

I've never smoked McC CC - ever. What's so special special about them? I read TR's about them but prefer the opinions from this crowd.

They were usually made from a single harvest, sometimes from single crop/field, and McClelland seems to have taken extra care in making them distinct from their other matured VA offerings.

For me, they're without a doubt the best VAs I've ever had. All in a similar style, but each one is distinct and different. All the ones I've had have been more complex and interesting than some of my other favorites like Matured VA no. 22 and Blackwoods Flake.

The packaging and marketing are nice, too - they combine Santa Claus and tobacco, so what's not to love!

Also, FWIW, I have more Christmas Cheer in my cellar than anything else.

 

[kola]

The vinegar thing always turned me off from trying McC. I may have to give the CC blends a go as my tastes have changed and i'm pretty much a straight Va and VaBur fan.

And kudos to your CC stockpiling ! The stuff appears to be as precious as gold and silver.