McClelland Christmas Cheer 2008

Review by Nick.

Originally Posted by Nick

First I have to say; is this a straight Virginia? If it is then it is my favorite to this point.

My biggest complaint with most straight virginias is they lack character, body, depth, and complexity. This blend has all of those in spades. It was easy going to smoke and not troublesome in the least. This is also the darkest Virginia I have ever smoked which I assume is the reason for why I like it so much more. I usually don't like the dried fruit sensation with Virginias so I am pleased that this has a creamier fuller texture and doesn't just seem like hot air.

I guess I just don't get the more subtle intricacies of most Straight VA. Maybe because I'm not really a subtle guy. I kind of hope this is Blackwoods Flake or an equivalent as I have a tin of that stored away at the moment.

86/100

Review by Curly Cut.

Originally Posted by Curly Cut

Blind Review:

Packed a Stanwell Pot with the fully rubbed and hopefully thoroughly dried out tobacco, sat on the covered patio at the hotel before it got really cold out.


A very strong perfumy note is noticeable on the draws, more than when it's wet and fresh from the tin. the drying has helped a lot and not giving me any problems with being harsh.

I knew as soon as i saw and smelled this what it was. My first bowl didn't go very well as the standard problems i have with McClellands flakes were making themselves known.

If overpuffing, this can turn more zesty and less flavorful nearly biting.

(lucky me, the lawnmowing contractor for this hotel just decided to show up and start mowing around me)

I've noticed that I don't like using the tamper from my Old Boy, it just doesn't get the job done like a pipe nail, a mr.c tamper, or one of my own dowel rod creations.

about 1/3rd done, still the same flavors - a zesty virginia with that Christmas Cheer perfumy backdrop. I always have troubles with McClellands products staying lit, this one is no different after leaving it in a bowl overnight, then putting it back in a little baggie for a week. it feels brittle to the touch, but still won't stay going in one of my best smoking pipes.


now it seems to have changed to a slight "navy flake" flavor on the bottom 3rd. I kinda poke around the bowl, broke it up, re-tamped, re-lit, and got a strong zesty flavor, with hints of a port wine sweetnes (but it burned a bit on exhale thru the nose).

at the very end, knocked some ash out, re-lit, and it's still a nice zesty and slightly perfumy Virginia.

Review by Slow Triathlete.

Originally Posted by Slow Triathlete

Upon receiving the sample I noticed that it came in Flake/Broken Flake form. As soon as I sniffed the bag aroma I had a pretty good idea what this blend was. I rubbed it out fully and let it dry for about three days before I lit it up.

The taste pretty much matched the smell to me. Sweet virginia with a hint of cinnamon and clove. Smells like Christmas to me. I had issues with keeping this lit as I have in the past because the chunks that this blend rubs out to are still hard to keep lit even when dried out. Oh well, I still enjoyed this blend. It reminds me a lot of when I started smoking because this blend (or different year that is) was one of my first purchases.

About halfway through the bowl I picked up another fruity aroma/taste that could only be identified as being similar to orange peel. Nice addition to the blend.

Overall, I enjoyed this blend. It is hard to dry out and keep lit a lot of the time but if you can hang with it you will be rewarded.