Do any of these names sound familiar? They should! Tabacalera Palma was one of the first established cigar factories in the Dominican Republic, opening its doors in 1936. However, its roots go back even further. Jochy Blanco, the current owner, is a fourth-generation tobacco expert. His great-great-grandfather settled in the Cibao Valley in the mid-19th century to grow and trade fruits and tobacco. Today, they cultivate some of the finest tobacco in the Dominican Republic, and their factory produces cigars for many well-known brands you’ve likely enjoyed. La Galera is Jochy’s very first brand.