Well known for growing well-regarded tobacco and producing acclaimed cigars, José “Jochy” Blanco of Tabacalera Palma had never had his own brand, one that bore his name and the name of his family’s factory, until just recently. When Blanco acquired the Indianhead brand in October 2015, he said that it would also spur the release of his first brand, a pair of blends released under the La Galera brand. Both would use a Dominican corojo binder with a filler blend of Dominican piloto cubano, criollo 98 and pelo de oro, with one blend getting an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper and the other getting an Ecuadorian habano wrapper. With the exception of the wrappers, all the tobacco was grown by Blanco. For the Habano, four sizes were released in early February, all named for key things found in and around galeras, the rooms in factories where cigars are rolled: Chaveta (5 x 50, $6.20), El Lector (6 x 54, $7), Cortador (6 1/2 x 52 torpedo, $7) and Pilones (6 1/4 x 60, $8.20). Additionally, three more sizes are being released for the European market, Perillas (7 1/4 x 38, $7), Bonchero No. 4 (5 1/2 x 42, $4.90) and Cabezas Caracol (7 x 47 $7.50). ...
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