My Weekend Cigar Review: Casa Turrent Serie 1973 Gran Robusto

Can we show you something in Mexican San Andrés Criollo?

In 2016, Casa Turrent announced the release of their Serie 1901, 1942 and 1973 cigars. Of the three, the Serie 1973 commemorates the birth year of Alejandro Turrent who, with his father, Alberto Turrent are the owners of A. Turrent Cigars – a.k.a. the “first family” of Mexican cigars. Founded in 1880, it’s the Turrent family who introduced the ubiquitous Te-Amo cigars in the 1960s. Today, A. Turrent has been making some excellent premium handmades. Moreover, they have become the industry’s prime source for Mexican San Andrés Maduro wrapper tobacco to the point that it’s almost impossible to walk through a cigar store without almost tripping over all of the cigars rolled with A. Turrent-grown Maduro wrapper.

Calling Casa Turrent Serie 1973 “the smoothest and richest in sweetness” of the three 2016 releases, Turrent blended the line to showcase their Mexican San Andrés Criollo tobaccos that are aged four years and used throughout the entire blend—with a little Nicaraguan filler for good measure.

Cigar Details:

Factory: Tabacalera Casa Turrent - San Andrés Tuxtla, Mexico
Size: 6x52
Body & Strength: Med+
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Criollo
Binder: Mexican San Andrés Criollo
Filler: Mexican San Andrés Criollo, Nicaraguan

Presentation: Box of 20 cigars

Casa Turrent Serie 1973 Gran Robusto Cigar Review

The San Andrés Criollo wrapper had an attractive brick color, while the cigar, itself, was firmly packed, well-rolled, and sealed with a triple seam cap. After cutting it offered an excellent draw with a tea-like pre-light flavor.

Once lit, the first draws were a combination of spice, sweet tobacco, and nuts. The cigar settled-in quickly issuing a creamy smoke with a medium body and strength. Within the first inch, those initial flavors became better defined: spice was cinnamon; the sweet tobacco, sort of caramelly; and the nuts, almond-like. There was also a white pepper finish that lingered on the roof of my mouth, but it faded later on.

At about a third of the way in, nutmeg appeared as that pre-light tea note reemerged. The cigar was really starting to gel at this point, too. This continued right through the midsection. Retrohales were stimulating with shots of black pepper.

Somewhere around the last two-and-a-half inches, earthier notes began to surface. The sweetness subsided leaving little more than a sliver of caramel, as baking spices remained front and center.

Finally, somewhere around the last inch and a half, I let it go, but not before getting in one last pepper-laden retrohale.

Was the Casa Turrent Serie 1973 Gran Robusto Weekend Worthy?

I don’t smoke that many Mexican cigars or Mexican puros for that matter, but the Casa Turrent Serie 1973 Gran Robusto got my attention. I liked the construction, the overall performance, the 6x52 format, and I’m tagging the overall flavor profile as sweet, spicy, and nutty with some underlying earthiness.

The highlight of the experience was getting to know San Andrés Criollo tobacco a little better. Plus, as a big fan of San Andrés Maduro, I was impressed with how well this 95% Criollo blend played out. Like Criollo from Honduras and Nicaragua, the Mexican variety has a singular character and sweetness that’s worth experiencing.

So who’s this cigar for? For the average cigar smoker, including those who don't smoke many or any Mexican cigars, the Casa Turrent Serie 1973 Gran Robusto is worth a shot—and yes, I’d smoke it again.

Please Note: Gary’s review was based on his experience and that your mileage may vary.