Potential McClelland Christmas Cheer Rival? Perhaps!

[Al Gore Rhythm]

Let people like what they like. Mcclelland was really good, so are many other Virginias.

Yes many other brands are.

 

[Steddy]

Maybe it won't be "McClelland", but it might turn into a Red Va that people hold as dear to their hearts as McClelland produced

This.

 

[Steddy]

This Carolina Red flake 2022 batch has quite the high natural sugar content. I also recall many of the Christmas Cheer blends containing the "Orange Tip" Virginias. I don't know you guys, but with the proper age..... This could be a worthy contender for those who miss the famous McClelland Reds!

Only time will tell. I only wish I bought more that a few tins.

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I agree. All you’re saying is hey, look at these components. This could be a contender, only time will tell.

Folks, Gervais is comparing components, not processes.

 

[sablebrush52]

Cringle Flake sometimes reminds me of CC. It has a baking spice thing that approaches what I got from CC.

Sutliff has amazing matured reds. That 2020 release was great.

 

[NomadOrb]

Sutliff has amazing matured reds. That 2020 release was great.

That's exactly the one I'm talking about too. I haven't tried the 21 and 22 releases, but 2020 is superb.

 

[sablebrush52]

I've heard there are similarities between CC and Watch City's Rouxgaroux... haven't smoked either one.

None. The Christmas Cheers were single vintage releases of Red and/or orange Virginias from farms with which McClelland had contracts.
Rougaraux uses different Virginias in its mix as well as a variety of toppings, including red wine, that aren’t in any of the CC’s. Both are excellent smokes.

 

[BriarBrook]

None. The Christmas Cheers were single vintage releases of Red and/or orange Virginias from farms with which McClelland had contracts.
Rougaraux uses different Virginias in its mix as well as a variety of toppings, including red wine, that aren’t in any of the CC’s. Both are excellent smokes.

I thought there were different types of vinegar in both?

 

[sablebrush52]

Maybe it won't be "McClelland", but it might turn into a Red Va that people hold as dear to their hearts as McClelland produced

It doesn’t need to be McClelland and it won’t be. It just needs to be its own great self. Time will tell.
McClelland didn’t turn out just one, but a variety of great Virginias. They also turned out a fair amount of duds. But you could always recognize McClelland Virginia from its processing, its distinctive savory note.
C&D makes some good blends, but not distinctive in the same way. Why should they? Better 1st class C&D than 2nd class someone else.
Bottom line, do you love the blend.

 

[sablebrush52]

I thought there were different types of vinegar in both?

I don’t get vinegar from Rougaroux, just the red wine. The vinegar in McClelland is thought by some to be a byproduct of fermentation. Whatever, I would flash off the vinegar by airing out a tin over a week or two before smoking so I could enjoy the actual flavors of their Virginia. The vinegar wasn’t the point.

 

[briarbuck]

I thought the same when I saw the sugar %.

CC is sweet if you chew it. Almost like candy sweet.

CRF is not sweet at all.

Technically I have no idea the difference in processing. But they are quite different.

 

[alaskanpiper]

@tfdickson your thoughts please?

 

[mingc]

I don’t get vinegar from Rougaroux, just the red wine.

The last batch of Rouxgaroux I got (Apr. 1, 2022) had a distinct odor of vinegar. The batch before that did not.

 

[sablebrush52]

The last batch of Rouxgaroux I got (Apr. 1, 2022) had a distinct odor of vinegar. The batch before that did not.

Are you sure it wasn't you fermenting and not the Rougaroux?

 

[mingc]

Are you sure it wasn't you fermenting and not the Rougaroux?

To my best recollection, I showered the morning before I opened that last package.

 

[Worknman]

The last batch of Rouxgaroux I got (Apr. 1, 2022) had a distinct odor of vinegar. The batch before that did not.

Might be the wine casing

 

[Ben.R.C]

It sucks I started pipe smoking after Carolina Red Flake sold out.

 

[NomadOrb]

It sucks I started pipe smoking after Carolina Red Flake sold out.

There will be plenty of special releases you will have the chance to take part in.

 

[Chasing Embers]

It sucks I started pipe smoking after Carolina Red Flake sold out.

It's an annual release.

 

[gervais]

It's an annual release.

It is sometimes tarnished with the addition of perique though, unfortunately

 

[Chasing Embers]

It is sometimes tarnished with the addition of perique though, unfortunately

Yep