I was fortunate to be able to select a cigar for review from La Galera’s 10-count Toro sampler. The presentation is stunning. The package depicts painted images of a reader, or “lector,” from the rolling room of a late 19th or early 20th-century cigar factory. Before there was radio, the lector would read from the day’s newspaper or from popular novels, to entertain the rollers as they turned out the daily production. The original painting hangs in the office of company CEO Jose “Jochy” Blanco. It’s a tribute to the workers who transform the company’s raw material into the final product, and to the Galera, the rolling room, which is “the heart of every factory.” A cutout on the box’s front reveals the cigar band and a portion of each of the 10 toro-sized cigars nestled inside a slide-out tray.
Within the tray are two each of the Core Line Connecticut, Habano, and Maduro in the 6-inch by 54-ring El Lector vitola. In addition, there are one each of two of the more limited production lines, the newly introduced Anemoi in a 6 3/8 x 52 size, and the 6 x 52 Imperial Jade Toro. While each version was an enjoyable smoke, for me the standout was the El Lector Habano, the subject of this review.
Appearance: The El Lector is a hearty stick: the 54 ring gives it a nice heft, and the cigar is firm but has some give to it. The wrapper leaf is an attractive shade of russet brown with a nice sheen, indicative of oils in the leaf. The head is nicely rounded, with a multi-seam cap, although the top cap is somewhat poorly adhered. One sample for review had rather prominent veins and visible seams, while a second also had some veins but well-pressed seams. The somewhat rustic appearance only added to the down-to-earth allure of the El Lector.
The La Galera cigar band, on the other hand, is artistic in the classic sense. A white oval, dotted with gold and a gold crown, forms the center of the band. It is encircled by a wreath and crest and gold medals, and a gold banner in the lower part of the oval reads Tabacalera Palma, the factory’s name. The brand name of La Galera is embossed in gold across the white oval. To its left is an image of tobacco fields and a barn in vivid greens and blues. To the right is a detail of El Lector reading to the torcedores. Red and green bands at the bottom display the names Tabacalera Palma, La Galera, and the flag of the Dominican Republic. It’s a lot of artwork, but it all looks proper and elegant.
Cold aroma and draw: The aroma off the wrapper leaf is delicate, with a hint of fruit and tobacco, while the foot offers a deeper, earthier aroma. A standard punch cut opens up a full draw, with just enough resistance. A pleasant taste of cocoa powder comes through.
Light up: The generous ring gauge is a bit of a challenge for my single flame torch to ignite evenly, but the fine construction compensates and allows the unlit bit of wrapper to catch up to the rest of the cigar. Now El Lector gets the chance to strut its stuff: A nice dose of pepper rushes out, followed up by a veritable kitchen pantry of baking spices, dried fruit, and nuts. My immediate thought is, “Already, this cigar is great!”
First third: The Habano El Lector is like a novice poker player; it’s showing its hand right at the beginning, for all to see. Along with the earth, nuts, and spices, I’m detecting the flavor of sticky, sweet dates. And lest that sound a bit cloying, be advised that the pepper spice is ticking up and balancing out the sweetness.
Second third: While looking to analyze the transitions, which do come, I’m sidetracked by the fact that this heater is building up a very long ash, one that appears to be both solid and flaky at the same time. The flakiness does not detract from the ash’s solidity, and I’m thinking I could have a Longest Ash Contest winner here. The fruity sweetness recedes somewhat, but the cedar, oak, and earth press on, always accompanied by red pepper tingling the palate and the nose.
Final third: All of the elements are there, although in somewhat subdued form. The prominent sensation is of nuts, spice, cedar, and a wisp of sweetness. The admirable ash tapped off at over three inches, and the second and final ash came in at just under that measurement. A two-ash cigar: How often do we see that?
Final thoughts: Though I set the last half-inch of the cigar down in the ashtray to end the review, I was able to pick it up and keep smoking it, although the intensity of the smoke had, by that point, understandably diminished. Despite that, the La Galera toro shone as a prime example of what a solidly rolled, artfully blended cigar can and should be: rich, smooth, flavorful, and satisfying. Body and strength stayed medium/full from start to finish. In sum, what a great way to spend the afternoon, in the company of El Lector.
La Galera Habano
- Vitola: El Lector – 6 x 54
- Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
- Binder: Dominican Corojo
- Filler: Pelo de Oro, Piloto Cubano, Criollo 98
- Country of Manufacture: Dominican Republic
- Release Date: 2016
- Smoking Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
– Samples courtesy of La Galera Cigars. Review by Larry Wagner.
This story first appeared in PCA The Magazine, Volume 1, 2024. To receive a copy of this magazine you must be a current member of PCA. Join or renew today at premiumcigars.org/membership.