Replacement for Christmas Cheer

[deepspringfarm]

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]

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]

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

 

[JimInks]

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

 

[troutface]

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

 

[deepspringfarm]

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

 

[JimInks]

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

 

[mso489]

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]

I second McCrannies, or McClellands 40th Anniversary.

 

[deepspringfarm]

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

 

[pipestud]

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]

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

P&C had it until few days ago.

 

[JimInks]

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

 

[mikestanley]

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

Mike S.

 

[alan73]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[5star]

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