We went across the street to Despaña this afternoon to sample the last ibérico ham in the United States. Paper-thin slices from the leg of a pig that tasted like it ate butter its entire life in a Spanish cave insulated with butter. We had wine too.

At around $100 a pound for cold cuts, this would have been one of our most expensive afternoon snacks yet, but the guys at Despaña were passing it out gratis.

If the idea is to put a hankering for ham in New York’s tummy, the tactic is working: Since the USDA said ibérico ham was OK in the US there has been a waiting list to buy the meat once it clears customs. Despaña’s last shipment disappeared in one week.

The good news is, you don’t need much of it. The super-savory meat is something to enjoy gram by gram.

Visit Despaña at 408 Broome Street for daily samples of delicious Spanish food, sandwiches and coffee drinks.