Posted by Sean in Featured, Reviews, Tobacco | 9 comments
McClelland Christmas Cheer 2009
This tin is a premium pressed Virginia flake tobacco, and is surprisingly my first try of any McCelland tobacco. I was lured in by the beautiful tin, and the fact that it was the “Christmas” blend. I must say that I was not a fan at all, I think they should change the name to McClelland Ketchup Cheer 2009. 
I know many of you like the vinegary ketchup aroma and flavor of the McCelland tobaccos, but I don’t not like ketchup on anything, and I couldn’t get past that when smoking. I did some reading over at tobaccoreviews.com and I think I need to put this stuff away for a couple of years to let it age and then give it a try. Question to my readers: does the ketchup aroma, and vinegary flavor mellow with aging like I’ve been reading? What are your thoughts of McClelland blends?
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The ketchupy aroma will dissipate over time from the McClelland tobaccos I’ve had experience with. My top McClelland recommendation is to try a tin of Deep Hollow, which has zero ketchup from the start.
Open the tin, and let it dry over night. Close it and put it away for a two month. Then give it a try. You will be surprised!!
And after a year… yummy
I love these blends. The guys above are right the ketchup smell goes away after some drying and aging. Great pipe blog!
I’ve got a tin of McClelland Anniversary Blend 2009. Now that Sean mentions it… yep. Ketchup. I’m going to try the drying and aging. Thanks for the tips, guys!
Shawn I’ll have to give Deep Hollow a try. Dotter and James I’ll be sure to let it air out and cellar it for a while before I put any more in my pipe. Devin, lets hope we don’t have to order a side of fries next time we smoke our McCelland blends.
Thanks again everyone,
I’m glad to hear there is a cure for the Ketchup madness that hits my nostrils every time I put that tin to my nose…
I have a 5 year old tin of their #24 Virginia that has no ketchup to it but a ton of sugary goodness.
Im guessing that stuffing a tin in a sock drawer and forgetting about it would be the way to go. In 5 years, you’ll have something wonderful.
Clint that is exactly the conclusion that I’ve come to as well. Thanks for the comment and for visiting!
Tried the Xmas Cheer tonight… It was my first time smoking a flake tobacco, which I enjoyed, but the flavor… I couldn’t get past that bright, almost sharp vinegary “ketchup” taste. I found it to smoke very hot as well, although the aroma was very pleasant. I’m with Sean–I’ll put it away and open it up next Christmas for hopefully better results!