Editor’s Note: Each week, our friends at the Smooth Draws Radio Show, based in Atlanta, GA, do a review of ‘The Cigar of the Week’ on their radio show, which can be heard Saturday mornings on AM1230 ESPN the Fan 2 (WFOM radio) from 9AM to 11AM. That review is printed (in its entirety) here on Cigarweekly.com, usually on the Monday following its broadcast.

The Smooth Draws Radio Show Pick of the Week

THE CIGAR

As our Premium Cigars of Georgia ‘cigar of the week’, we’ve selected The La Galera Connecticut by Indian Head Cigars.

BACK STORY

The La Galera Connecticut comes to us from José ‘Jochy’ Blanco’s Tabacalera Palma, which traces its origins back to the mid-19th-Century, when a Spanish citizen named José Manuel Blanco Lozada moved to the Dominican Republic to specialize in the trades of tropical fruits and tobacco.

La Galera is the first project (and first release) from Jochy Blanco following his recent acquisition of Indian Head Cigar Company, which he acquired in the fall of 2015. Indian Head Cigars will distribute the brand. La Galera is a term for the heart of a cigar factory. It is the place where experienced rollers focus on expressing their talents in the creation of cigars.

THE CONSTRUCTION

La Galera’s construction is flawless. The wrapper is an Ecuadorian Connecticut and is very blonde, while the binder is a Dominican Corojo. The filler consists of Piloto Cubano, Criollo '98 and Pelo de Oro tobaccos. All of the tobaccos (except for the wrapper) are grown on Blanco’s farms in the Cibao valley of the Dominican Republic. The cigars are rolled at the Tabacalera Palma factory in the Dominican Republic.

The cigar is available in beautiful white boxes (each containing twenty cigars). It is offered in five sizes, all named with a cigar factory theme – the Chaveta, El Lector, Tabaquero Presidente, Cortador and Pilone.

THE DRAW

Our La Galera had a perfect draw, leading to a beautiful smoking experience. We found it to be relaxing, contemplative and just plain enjoyable. The draw produced a large amount of white tasty smoke for our note taking.

THE CIGAR TASTE PROFILE

We would describe the La Galera Connecticut as a mild to medium-bodied cigar. It was balanced and complex, with interesting taste nuances. We discerned a creamy whole wheat toasted muffin flavor with a rich buttery drizzle effect. There were notes of cedar, almonds and earth along with just a hint of dried fruit and vegetables, while Earl Grey tea and cinnamon teased the senses.

DOES IT GET A BUY RECOMMENDATION?