Alejandro Turrent is one of the biggest names in tobacco. While you may not know his name, he is the godfather of modern Mexican tobacco.
In 1880 his great-great-grandfather Alejando Alberto emigrated to the San Andres Valley with a pocket full of Cuban tobacco seeds and began a business that has become one of the most powerful players in tobacco.
Today Alejando is President and co-owner with his father Alberto Turrent IV of Nueva Matacapan de Tabacos, Mexico’s largest cigar makers and growers of tobacco. The factory is known for their legendary Te-Amo brands and new brands like today’s Casa Turrent.
Cigar Review: Casa Turrent Serie 1973
Country of Origin: Mexico
Factory: Nueva Matacapan de Tabacos
Wrapper: San Andres Criollo (Mexico)
Binder: San Andres (Mexico)
Filler: San Andres (Mexico) & Nicaragua
Length: 5.25″
Ring Gauge: 50
Vitola: Robusto
Strength: Medium
The Look: While I am unsure how these cigars are packaged since I received a couple of samples from the local rep, Edgar Dakermanji I was caught off guard by the light-colored wrapper. Over the years we have grown accustom to San Andres tobacco being dark, but the Casa Turrent is a medium tan color with a gorgeous blue, red and gold band. The Criollo wrapper has a thin network of bands and is soft pressed to perfection. The foot is well packed and the cigar has a nice weight to it.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Serie 1973 isn’t very descriptive as the primary taste is that of tobacco with a slight nuttiness. The aroma of the cigar is even less defined than that of the cold draw.
Once the cigar is lit with my Glock I am surprised by the initial notes that tantalize the palate. There is a subtle butterscotch sweetness with roasted nuts and a touch of caramel. Despite the initial rush of complexity as the cigar settles down mineral like note that for is synonymous with Mexican tobacco begins to take hold. Through the nose the cigar has some white pepper and caramel on the moderate finish.
As we start the second third of the cigar the caramel lingers as a dominant note before giving way to earth with a hint of cedar that grows in intensity reaching its pinnacle at the half way point before slowly subsiding. The aroma of the cigar is semi-sweet, while the retrohale serves up nutty characteristics with a touch of pepper.
In the last third of the cigar the balance brings this together into an enjoyable cigar with notes of hay, earth, and caramel. There is a slight vanilla on the aroma and finish of the Casa Turrent Serie 1973.
The Burn: While at times the cigar has a jagged burn line, it never needed to be touched up and while the cigar had a thick combustion line in the beginning, it became ultra thin by the half way point. The light ash was a bit flaky but firm, and the draw was perfect.
The Finish: If you ever smoke this cigar, throw away all perceived notions you have on San Andres tobacco. While for a few puffs there was some mineral like qualities, this was considerably different and the cigar shows that San Andres is not a one trick pony. This was an enjoyable cigar that I plan to revisit one day with some age on it.
Score: 89
Price: $8.50
Casa Turrent Serie 1973
Casa Turrent Serie 1973 Foot
Casa Turrent Serie 1973 Burn
