Mexico is unusual among cigar origins: it is both a major grower of tobacco used around the world AND a country that makes its own distinguished cigars. Almost all of that story runs through one place — the San Andres valley in Veracruz — and one family, the Turrents, who have grown tobacco there since 1880.
The Story
The Turrent family has grown cigar tobacco in San Andres since 1880 and is the largest grower of cigar tobacco in Mexico. Through Casa Turrent and the long-running Te-Amo brand, the family made Mexican cigars recognizable to a generation of smokers, while its leaf became a component in many premium cigars made elsewhere.
The Tobacco
The San Andres valley's volcanic soil produces one of the most recognizable maduro wrappers in cigars: dark, oily and naturally sweet Negro San Andres leaf. Mexican tobacco — in Maduro, Criollo and Habano varieties — is used both in Mexican cigars and by makers in other countries.
What to Expect
Mexican cigars, and especially San Andres maduro, tend toward chocolate, earth, spice and a dark natural sweetness. These are tendencies rather than rules; Mexican blends range from smooth and medium to full and rich.
chocolate · spicy · earth
Notable Producers
Casa Turrent · Te-Amo