The Torreón Iberico Experience

We had the opportunity recently to take a guided tour of one of Spain’s top jamón factories, Ibericos Torreón in Villares de la Reina, Salamanca, a short drive west of Madrid. Founded in 1981 by Generoso García, today the operation is run by the second and third generation, Chus and Laura.

Their acorn-fed Iberian pigs are raised surrounded by holm and cork oaks in La Dehesa (meadow) in the province of Salamanca, which is also home to the largest number of fighting bulls in Spain.

Iberian Gourmet Experience

A visit to the factory can include one of their Masterclasses on Iberian ham. The classes run from 1 hr 15 min (Monday-Friday) to 3 -1/2 hours (Tuesday to Saturday for lunch, or Thursday to Saturday for dinner), which turns out to be quite the experience.