Tobacco Cultivation Regions: Mexico

Black tobacco has been cultivated in Mexico for thousands of years by both the Mayan and Aztec civilisations. The best region for growing tobacco is the San Andres Valley of Southeast Mexico, which lies between a pair of inoperative volcanoes. San Andres Negro is one of the earliest native seed black tobaccos to be cultivated and most likely be the first stem exported to Cuba. Like broadleaf, San Andres Negro is traditionally stem cut and ferments to an oscuro (dark) colour. It has a grainy texture with a ripe, pleasingly pungent flavour.

One very well known manufacturer based in Mexico is Casa Turrent. Alberto and Alejandro Turrent, owners of Nueva Matacapan Tabacos S.A. de C.V are known as the first family of Mexico’s cigar industry. They are a father and son team who not only makes some of Mexico's best cigars but are also the largest grower of cigar tobacco in the country! The San Andres Maduro lead they grow outside of Veracruz is world renowned for its quality. To keep consistency of their flagship Casa Turrent line, Alejandro decided a large factory was not the best place to make the more complex ranges, so he took his great-grandfather's house and renovated it into a boutique factory with 15 people to produce the Casa Turrent series.

Cigars that use Mexican tobacco:

The Casa Turrent 1880 series is named after the year the Turrent family entered the tobacco growing business. It’s a mature cigar boasting a toasty flavour with pleasant hints of chocolate, medium to full bodied, it's designed to be enjoyed by experienced smokers and goes perfectly with rum, tequila or even a freshly brewed coffee.

Oliva Serie V Maduro is made from a blend of Nicaraguan Cuban seed grown in Jalapa and then wrapped in a Mexican Maduro, leaving you with notes of pepper, espresso and spices.

Drew Estate MUWAT Kentucky Fire Cured utilised a San Andres Negro wrapper as well as an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade binder and a Mata Fina filler from Nicaragua. This cigar is all about smoke! It rises from the base of the curing barn into the tobacco filled rafters. This 200 year old process produces a smoky captivating taste and aroma reminiscent of an Islay whisky or fiery bourbon. You will find notes of roasted hickory, oak and maple wood as you enjoy thoroughly.

Written by Oliver Partington