La Galera 90th Anniversary Heads to Stores

This year marks the 101st anniversary of the founding of Tabacalera Palma.

In 1925, José Arnaldo Blanco II—the son of a tobacco farmer—opened up a cigar operation, which was registered in 1936 as “La Palma.” While the company could use the older date, it has long referenced the 1936 date for its founding, which serves as the inspiration for the new La Galera 90th Anniversary, which began shipping late last week.

The release marks a couple of firsts for the company, which is operated today by José Arnaldo Blanco III. Most notably, the blend is a Dominican puro, meaning it is made only from tobacco grown in the Dominican Republic, a country that has proven to be difficult for wrapper cultivation.

Blanco told halfwheel that “growing wrapper is hard” and that this is the first line from the company to use wrapper that it has grown. The wrapper comes from the company’s Jacagua farm, the binder is from Gurabo, while the fillers are from Gurabo, Jacagua and La Canela. All of the tobacco used for this release comes from La Galera’s farms.

It’s offered in two box-pressed vitolas. The Nanán vitola is a unique perfecto that has sharp press on all four sides but a round torpedo head. Blanco said this is an all-new vitola that was developed just for this release.

La Galera
La Galera 90th Anniversary
Tabacalera Palma