It is Christmas In July

[Alpedhuez55]

Normally I get pretty pissed when stores put out the Christmas Stuff too early, but there is an exception to every rule!!!

[SIZE="5"]McClelland Christmas Cheer 2008 Now in Stock!
[/SIZE]
McClelland Christmas Cheer is here! Every year, McClelland makes a limited run Virginia flake. It's always popular-- indeed, even though it's only available for half the year, it's always one of our top five or six tobaccos for a given year. The blend varies slightly from year to year, giving McClelland the flexibility to just make a great tobacco instead of having to worry about consistency of flavor from year to year. So, here it is, this year's Virginia flake achievement from McClelland!

You can find Christmas Cheer, along with other McClelland blends, here:
http://www.smokingpipes.com/tobacco/...land/index.cfm

[Kayak_Rat]

I ordered two tins and 4oz of EMP. At $13 per tin......you cant beat it.

[frankluke]

i'm assuming you all are buying to the '08 to cellar and not smoke now, so heres a question, typically how long should one wait before opening a tin of xmas cheer? i now the longer you wait the better but what would be the minimum aging?

[pistol]

Originally Posted by frankluke

i'm assuming you all are buying to the '08 to cellar and not smoke now, so heres a question, typically how long should one wait before opening a tin of xmas cheer? i now the longer you wait the better but what would be the minimum aging?

I open one 5-year old tin each year. So last year, I opened one of my 02s, this year was an 03, next year will be one of my 04s, etc. I've had pretty good luck that way; I also buy 4 tins per year, so I have plenty of almost every year in my cellar. I'm missing a few of the early years though (93, 95, 96).

[Kayak_Rat]

Pete has it down. I usually go ahead and open a tin from the present year to see how it smokes. How much I enjoy it determines how many more I will purchase. In abour 4 years, I will move onto Pete's practice.

[Professor Mike]

I bought a can of Christmas Cheer 2007. I guess I opened it too soon (last month) I traded it for some 1864. I just couldn't get past the KETCHUP smell. I know it doesn't taste like ketchup,however I just couldn't get the smell out of my ofactory sensors. I just do not like ketchup even on my fries. It my be unamerican,but I just don't like it. Does the smell ever go away?

Mike

[Kayak_Rat]

The smell is from the aging of the tobacco. It weakens a little, but never truly goes away.

[dogsplayinpoker]

Originally Posted by Professor Mike

I bought a can of Christmas Cheer 2007. I guess I opened it too soon (last month) I traded it for some 1864. I just couldn't get past the KETCHUP smell. I know it doesn't taste like ketchup,however I just couldn't get the smell out of my ofactory sensors. I just do not like ketchup even on my fries. It my be unamerican,but I just don't like it. Does the smell ever go away?

Mike

No, never goes away. I got past it, use your willpower man!

I have got to pick up 2 tins of Christmas Cheer. Been gifted a few tins of past CC. Awesome stuff.

[Professor Mike]

Originally Posted by dogsplayinpoker

No, never goes away. I got past it, use your willpower man!

I have got to pick up 2 tins of Christmas Cheer. Been gifted a few tins of past CC. Awesome stuff.

I'm not one to give up . I guess I'll give it another go. My local B&M has a couple of 2007 left and I'll order some 2008 and put it up. I guess I could rub Vicks under my nose till I get it lit(just joking).

Mike

[GreatBonsai]

Question about the aging process: Is it better to let Tobacco age in it's original tin, unopened, or to open the tin / transfer the tobacco to a mason jar?

[Sawyer]

Originally Posted by GreatBonsai

Question about the aging process: Is it better to let Tobacco age in it's original tin, unopened, or to open the tin / transfer the tobacco to a mason jar?

Very good reading on this subject can be found here.

http://agingfaq.nocturne.org/tinstorage.php#q1

But quick and dirty answer is if you want it to age, leave the tin unopened.

[Alpedhuez55]

Originally Posted by frankluke

i'm assuming you all are buying to the '08 to cellar and not smoke now, so heres a question, typically how long should one wait before opening a tin of xmas cheer? i now the longer you wait the better but what would be the minimum aging?

Just buy one tin to smoke this year, and one or two to age. The tobaccos in Cheer are already aged a bit, but not in the tin. So it is not like it will be completely green. With some other blends, I found that a 5 year old tin was a different experience than a 2 year old tin was.

But while tobaccos will most likely get better with age, it does not mean it cannot be enjoyed now. Get some to enjoy this year!!!

[Kayak_Rat]

Just popped the tin on one of mine.......

I think this will be a good year. It doesnt seem to have the "jump out of the can VA" that last year had. It also seems to have a deeper flavor. More of a stoved edge than the bright VA. I have a bowl setting out now drying.....we shall see how well it does.

Just by smell, I am seriously considering buy a few more tins.

[physiognomy]

Originally Posted by Kayak_Rat

Just popped the tin on one of mine.......

I think this will be a good year. It doesnt seem to have the "jump out of the can VA" that last year had. It also seems to have a deeper flavor. More of a stoved edge than the bright VA. I have a bowl setting out now drying.....we shall see how well it does.

Just by smell, I am seriously considering buy a few more tins.

Great info... Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts! I have a few unopened tins of '07 CC because I'm still working on my lot from '06. I will have to pick up a few from this year by the sounds of things

[atlacatl]

I picked up two tins, they should be arriving in the mail tomorrow. Look forward to sampling this blend.