Top 21 Castilian-Leonese Dry-cured Hams

Last updated on June 03, 2026

Best Castilian-Leonese Dry-cured Hams

01

Jamones Juan Manuel

5 ·
Jamones Juan Manuel is a prestigious company in the Iberian ham industry, located in Guijuelo, Salamanca, Spain. With over 90 years of experience, they have mastered the art of producing high-quality Iberian hams. Their dedication to traditional curing methods has earned them recognition, including the Best Acorn-Fed Iberian Ham award in both 2020 and 2024 by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food. Their product range includes various grades of Iberian hams, such as 100% pure acorn-fed, 75% pure acorn-fed, 50% pure acorn-fed, and free-range Iberian hams. Each product reflects their commitment to quality and tradition.
Awards
Premios Alimentos de España - Mejor Jamón Ibérico de España (2024, 2020)
02

FISAN

5 ·
FISAN is a distinguished Spanish producer specializing in premium Iberico Bellota ham and other Iberico pork products. Founded in 1920, this family-owned company is located in Guijuelo, Salamanca, a region renowned for its ideal conditions for curing Iberico hams. The company's commitment to quality begins in the dehesa—the traditional Iberian pasturelands—where they meticulously select Iberico pigs. These pigs roam freely, feeding on acorns and natural grasses, which imparts a unique flavor and texture to the meat. FISAN's curing process combines time-honored techniques with modern innovations, ensuring each ham develops its characteristic taste and aroma over several years in natural drying rooms and cellars.
Awards
Great Taste Awards - 2 Stars (2024)
03

Jamones Aljomar

5 ·
Jamones Aljomar S.A. is a family-owned Spanish company established in 1989 by Don Alfonso Sánchez Bernal and his wife, Doña María del Carmen Sánchez Álvarez. Located in Guijuelo, Salamanca, the company specializes in producing high-quality Iberian pork products, including hams, sausages, and fresh meats. Their commitment to quality is evident through their vertical integration, overseeing every production stage from their own farms and feed production to slaughterhouses and processing facilities. This comprehensive approach ensures traceability and consistency across their product range.
Awards
Premios Alimentos de España - Mejor Jamón Ibérico de España (2022)
04

Jamón Joselito

5 ·
Joselito is a Spanish family-owned company founded in 1868 in Salamanca, specializing in the production of top-grade jamón ibérico de bellota. Across six generations, the company has maintained full control over the entire process - from raising 100% Iberian pigs to extended natural curing without additives or preservatives. The pigs are free-range and feed on acorns during the montanera season, a factor that directly influences the quality of the fat and the aromatic profile of the meat. Drying and maturation take place under natural climatic conditions and can exceed four years for Gran Reserva selections. The finished ham is characterized by pronounced marbling, a soft texture, and a complex flavor profile with notes of nuts, dry grass, and subtle sweetness. Joselito is among the few producers applying the “añada” (vintage) concept, labeling products by production year in a manner similar to wine. The portfolio also includes paleta, lomo, chorizo, and salchichón, all produced under the same quality standards. The brand has a strong presence in fine dining and exports to numerous international markets. Joselito is widely regarded as a benchmark in the world of Iberian ham, built on long-standing tradition and consistent quality control.
05

Beher

4.9 ·
Beher (Bernardo Hernández) is a family-owned company based in Guijuelo, in the Spanish province of Salamanca - one of the most important regions for Iberian ham production under the PDO Jamón de Guijuelo. Founded in the 1930s, the company has developed a fully integrated production model, controlling every stage from breeding 100% Iberian pigs on its own estates in the dehesa ecosystem to curing and aging in natural conditions. Its products, particularly those from the Etiqueta Oro line, are made from acorn-fed (bellota) Iberian pigs, resulting in high oleic acid content and characteristic marbling. The curing process can last several years, during which the hams develop complex aromas, a balance between the sweetness of the fat and deep savory notes, and a long, persistent finish. Beher is recognized for its consistency, technical precision, and adherence to traditional methods. Over time, it has become one of the leading producers of Iberian cured meats, with a strong presence in international markets. Its hams are often considered a benchmark within the bellota category, reflecting the combined influence of origin, breeding, and carefully controlled maturation.
Awards
IFFA Frankfurt - Gold (2019)
IFFA Frankfurt - The Best Ham in the World (2013, 2010)
06

Monte Nevado

4.9 ·
Monte Nevado is a distinguished Spanish ham producer with a legacy dating back to 1898. Headquartered in Carbonero el Mayor, Segovia, the company has honed its craft over four generations, specializing in the meticulous curing of premium hams. Renowned for their commitment to quality, Monte Nevado offers a diverse range of hams, including: Iberian Grain-Fed Ham (50% Ibérico Breed), Original Mangalica Ham and Serrano Ham. Monte Nevado's products are 100% natural, free from additives and preservatives, reflecting their dedication to ecological production and animal welfare.
Awards
Premios Alimentos de España - Mejor Jamón Serrano de España (2022)
Premios Alimentos de España - Mejor Jamón Ibérico de España (2018)
07

​7 Bellotas

4.9 ·
​7 Bellotas is a distinguished Spanish producer specializing in Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, offering a range of premium Iberian hams celebrated for their exceptional quality and rich flavor. Their products are crafted from 100% Iberian pigs that roam freely, feeding exclusively on acorns (bellotas) during the Montanera period, which imparts a unique and exquisite taste to the ham.
08

Marcial Castro

4.8 ·
Marcial Castro is a family-owned company based in Guijuelo, Salamanca, with over a century of expertise in producing premium Iberian pork products. Their offerings include a range of hams, shoulders, cold cuts, and fresh meats, all derived from Iberian pigs raised in their own dehesa, "El Encinar del Poniente." This estate provides the pigs with a natural diet of acorns, natural feed, roots, and herbs, contributing to the distinctive flavor of their products. The company's flagship product, the "Maximum" Ham, is crafted from 100% purebred Iberian pigs. These hams undergo a meticulous curing process lasting between 24 and 48 months in natural drying rooms, benefiting from the cold and dry air characteristic of the Guijuelo region. This traditional method ensures a delicate texture and a rich, nuanced flavor.
09

Jamón Arturo Sánchez

4.7 ·
Arturo Sánchez is a distinguished Spanish producer of premium Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, with a heritage dating back to 1917 in Guijuelo, Salamanca. Their commitment to traditional methods and exceptional quality has garnered them significant recognition in the culinary world. A distinctive feature of Arturo Sánchez's hams is their double montanera process. Unlike typical practices, their purebred Iberian pigs undergo two montanera seasons, grazing freely and consuming acorns in the dehesas for an extended period. This practice enhances the flavor, texture, and nutritional profile of the ham, setting it apart in quality and taste. Through unwavering dedication to tradition and excellence, Arturo Sánchez continues to produce some of Spain's most esteemed Jamón Ibérico de Bellota, celebrated by connoisseurs and culinary experts worldwide.
10

Julián Martín

4.7 ·
​Julián Martín is a distinguished Spanish producer of Iberian ham, renowned for its rich history and commitment to traditional craftsmanship.​ Founded in 1933. by Julián Martín García in Guijuelo, Salamanca, the company began as a seasonal venture aimed at supplementing the family's income. ​ Over the decades, Julián Martín expanded significantly, building its first factory in the 1940s and introducing innovations like a dedicated slaughterhouse and natural drying sheds. ​ Julián Martín specializes in a variety of Iberian ham products, including:​ Jamón de Bellota 100% Ibérico, Jamón de Cebo Ibérico and Embutidos Ibéricos. For those interested in experiencing their products firsthand, Julián Martín offers guided tours of their facilities in Guijuelo, providing insights into the traditional production process and tastings of their renowned hams and sausages. ​
Awards
Great Taste Awards - 3 Stars (2024)
Read more
View all
View map
About this ranking

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 21 Castilian-Leonese Dry-cured Hams” list until June 03, 2026, 39 ratings were recorded, of which 17 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

The initial list of top producers was compiled based on available reviews, awards, local recommendations, media and blog coverage, and consumer reviews. The list will be updated with ratings from TasteAtlas local ambassadors and TasteAtlas users.

Similar lists