March 07 TOM-Christmas Cheer 2006

[kheffelf]

This is the place where everyone who wants to participate should post their reviews for the tobacco of the month for March.

[a.paul]

First impression: Damn, that's some sweet baccy. I found myself wanting to chew the smoke. Thanks for picking this for the TOM, I don't think I'd have gotten it otherwise.

Beyond that, I'll wait until I've had a few bowls.

[ShawnP]

I posted my review a while ago but here is a link so the folks who haven't read it can


http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=56819




Shawn

[hollywood]

Had my first bowl and was surprised by the dryness of the baccy out of the tin and lack of what everyone else is saying about it! I'm going to try to add a bit of humidity to it over the next couple of days and give it another shot. I just know this stuff has to better than that first impression.

[monsoon]

I've been smoking this stuff for a little while now...it's some damned good VA flake. There's *something* in this stuff ... I keep getting notes of nutmeg ? ... cinnamon ? ... then it goes away before I can truely put my finger on it. There's something about this blend that has the occasional uncanny sweetnes to it while, if memory serves, McClellend has stated in the past that there are no casings in this blend.

How'd day do dat ??

[smokinmojo]

I just finished the tin I started a couple months ago. Upon opening the tin, the first whiff you get from CC is the familiar fermentation from McClelland. Along with this there are undertones of spices.

Early on, the tobacco was a bit moist and definately took a "Couple" of matches to get going. (Trying to get that perfect one stroke light, could result in scorched taste buds)

I found CC to be a sublime VA, when approached with caution. The flavors of CC are more pronounced than any "natural" VA i've tried. The two flavors I come up with are clove/cinnamon. This became more apparent to me as the tobacco dried and the fermentation faded.

I would suggest (after trial and definately error) to rub the flakes to desired consistancy early on, before it becomes brittle and difficult to work with.

Craige

[hunter1127]

Stopped at a Tinderbox on Mon. while down the Cape to see what they had for baccy. Not many tins in stock but had a tin of CC so I thought I'd try it as it was being reviewed here. When I got it home and opened it, I discovered that it was actually 2005 CC. Found it sweet and less tongue bite then I usually get from VA..think its a chemistry thing as I sipped this. Didn't get the cinnamon /clove that a few others did. but had only 1 bowl so far. Is there much difference to blend year to year?

[hollywood]

Smoked some more of my Christmas Cheer today. When the can was opened it was freakishly dry and did not seem to have a lot of flavors that many have spoken of. I added a couple of drops of water and sealed it back up. Smoked a big bowl this afternoon after several days of rehydration. I must say this has really changed!

Lots of sweetness and toast characters. Very full for a Virginia IMHO. I can now start to see why there in much rave about this blend. Hopefully it gets even better!

[IHT]

anyone else been smoking this?

[croatan]

The first bowl I had of it was way too wet. After I let it sit a while and rubbed it out really well, I found it smoked much better. As someone else mentioned, when you open the can up, you know it's a McClelland blend. It had some good flavors and more depth than a most Virginias I've had. I really enjoyed.

[a.paul]

Originally Posted by croatan

The first bowl I had of it was way too wet. After I let it sit a while and rubbed it out really well, I found it smoked much better. As someone else mentioned, when you open the can up, you know it's a McClelland blend. It had some good flavors and more depth than a most Virginias I've had. I really enjoyed.

Did you smoke any w/o rubbing it out? I've just been kind of folding it a little and shoving it in the bowl, the one time I rubbed it out it didn't taste as good.

Sigh...I'm really not gaining the upper hand with these baccys.

[ShawnP]

Originally Posted by a.paul

Did you smoke any w/o rubbing it out? I've just been kind of folding it a little and shoving it in the bowl, the one time I rubbed it out it didn't taste as good.

Sigh...I'm really not gaining the upper hand with these baccys.

I have smoked it both ways and I would agree with you somewhat. I liked it both ways but it did burn and taste better without thr rubbing.


I just LOVE cheer that's all there is to it


Shawn

[a.paul]

Originally Posted by ShawnP

I have smoked it both ways and I would agree with you somewhat. I liked it both ways but it did burn and taste better without thr rubbing.


I just LOVE cheer that's all there is to it


Shawn

Cheer...

Wait'll I get my TAD pictures up.

[ShawnP]

Originally Posted by a.paul

Cheer...

Wait'll I get my TAD pictures up.

Well get on it slacker


We all wanna see those pics dammit.



Shawn

[croatan]

Originally Posted by a.paul

Did you smoke any w/o rubbing it out? I've just been kind of folding it a little and shoving it in the bowl, the one time I rubbed it out it didn't taste as good.

Sigh...I'm really not gaining the upper hand with these baccys.

Yeah, but the time I didn't rub it out, it was really moist. I'll give it another shot tonight