Cue the festive music, pour the eggnog, and don those oh so terrible sweaters, because this week we officially begin our 13th annual Peterson Buy a Pipe, Get a Tin promotion: From now until December 31st, buy any new Peterson pipe and choose from a selection of eight special-edition Cornell & Diehl Wintertime Reserve pipe tobaccos. But with eight different blends to consider, which should you choose? To help simplify your decision, we're taking a closer look at this year's project as well as at each individual blend, from components to tasting notes.

What is Wintertime Reserve?

Cornell & Diehl's Wintertime Reserve is a special, seasonal line of pipe tobaccos — all crafted by hand, one small batch at a time, from recipes specially developed by C&D's head blender Jeremy Reeves for the holiday season. From fragrant aromatics to English and Virginia staples, all eight of this year's blends are packaged in special, festive tin art inspired by Santa's eight original reindeer (sorry, Rudolph), and are available only through our annual Peterson Buy A Pipe, Get A Tin promotion. But enough preamble, let's get on to the blends!

Dasher

A decadent aromatic blend of Burley and two distinct Cavendish tobaccos, layered with notes of vanilla and raspberries for the perfect holiday treat. Pressed into an old-fashioned crumble cake.

• Components: Burley, Cavendish
• Family: Aromatic
• Cut: Crumble Cake
• Strength:
• Room Note:
• Taste:

Dancer

An elegant blend of select Bright Virginia leaf, cased with a drop of honey to balance the natural sweetness. Pressed into an old-fashioned crumble cake for the flue-cured purist.

• Components: Virginia
• Family: Virginia
• Cut: Crumble Cake
• Strength:
• Room Note:
• Taste:

Prancer

An eccentric VaPer blend of Bright and Red Virginias, White Burley, Dark-Fired Kentucky, and Perique, with notes of dark chocolate and port wine on the finish. Sliced into fine ribbons.

• Components: Virginia, Burley, Dark-Fired Kentucky, Perique
• Family: Virginia/Perique
• Cut: Ribbon
• Strength:
• Room Note:
• Taste:

Vixen

A surprisingly strong mixture of Dark and cube-cut Burley, Red Virginias, and Perique, cased with molasses for added sweetness. Pressed and sliced into delicate flakes.

• Components: Burley, Virginia, Perique
• Family: Burley
• Cut: Flake
• Strength:
• Room Note:
• Taste:

Comet

An energetic blend of Bright and Red Virginias, Dark-Fired Kentucky, and a whisper of Perique, with a rich, boozy finish. Pressed, sliced, and tumbled into a ready-rubbed cut for easy enjoyment.

• Components: Virginia, Dark-Fired Kentucky, Perique
• Family: Virginia/Perique
• Cut: Ready Rubbed
• Strength:
• Room Note:
• Taste:

Cupid

A robust Balkan blend of Virginias, Turkish, and Latakia, emboldened with a modest portion of Perique for additional nuance and complexity. Pressed and sliced into delicate flakes.

• Components: Virginia, Oriental, Latakia, Perique
• Family: English
• Cut: Flake
• Strength:
• Room Note:
• Taste:

Donder

An all-Virginia blend of select Reds and Brights, spiked with dark spiced rum for a traditional navy-style smoke. Sliced into fine ribbons for easy enjoyment.

• Components: Virginia
• Family: Virginia
• Cut: Ribbon
• Strength:
• Room Note:
• Taste:

Blitzen

A thundering blend of Red and Bright Virginias and Perique, energized by subtle casings of applejack, raspberry, and vanilla. Pressed into a traditional plug to marry the flavors.

• Components: Virginia, Perique
• Family: Virginia/Perique
• Cut: Plug
• Strength:
• Room Note:
• Taste:

That's an overview of all eight blends in this year's run of Wintertime Reserve. Feel free to bookmark this page and reference it next time you decide to buy a new Peterson pipe. Which blend do you find most enticing? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!