AshMap
Overview
There is a quiet confidence to the Brick House Excalibur Churchill that announces itself before the first draw. This is not a cigar that shouts for attention; it is a study in restraint, a long, elegant narrative written in cedar and cream. In a lineup where the Double Connecticut gets the spotlight and the Mighty Mighty gets the muscle, the Excalibur Churchill occupies a more contemplative space — the thinking smoker's Brick House. It carries the lineage of the old Villazon Excalibur line, a spiritual heir that trades nostalgia for a modern, polished voice, yet never loses the earthy soul of Honduran craftsmanship. The pre-light aroma is a gentle invitation: sweet hay, a whisper of honey, and that distinctive Connecticut Shade perfume — floral, almost tea-like, promising refinement without pretense.
The first third unfolds with the poise of a well-rehearsed overture. Toasted cedar leads, but it is a warm, aromatic woodiness, not a sharp, aggressive bite. This is immediately cushioned by a supple, sweet cream that coats the palate like fresh dairy. On the retrohale, a delicate white pepper prickles the sinuses — a fleeting, precise tingle that keeps the opening from becoming too soft. Beneath it all, a roasted cashew nuttiness establishes a firm, savory anchor, while the wrapper contributes a subtle floral top note, like jasmine or orange blossom, that elevates the blend from merely pleasant to genuinely refined. The burn is a slow, deliberate crawl, the ash a firm, light-grey column that holds with reassuring tenacity.
As the cigar settles into its middle passage, the narrative deepens. The bright cedar mellows into a drier, more rustic hay and seasoned wood character. A baking spice emerges — cinnamon first, then a faint, warming clove — that adds a gentle complexity without ever tipping into sweetness. This is where the Excalibur reveals its Honduran heart: a supple, well-worn leather note begins to weave through the profile, grounding the experience. The creaminess persists, but it has transformed, becoming a lighter, more ethereal coating that keeps the palate engaged without ever feeling heavy or syrupy. The strength remains firmly in medium territory, a steady, even keel that allows the flavors to develop at their own unhurried pace.
The final third brings a subtle, satisfying shift in gravity. The body increases by a single, well-judged notch. The roasted wood notes turn darker, more assertive, and a dry, mineral earth emerges from the background. A hint of espresso bean — bitter, dark, and invigorating — cuts through the lingering cream, adding a final layer of depth. The wrapper's initial sweetness fades gracefully, leaving a longer, drier finish that echoes with cedar and a gentle, residual spice. It is a controlled, dignified conclusion, never harsh, never rushed, burning cool and composed to the very nub. This is a cigar that understands pacing — a 90-minute meditation that rewards patience with a coherent, satisfying arc from first light to final ash.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Honduran Connecticut Shade — Colorado Claro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Honduran |
| Filler | Nicaraguan and Honduran long-filler tobaccos, aged for smoothness |
| Country of Origin | Danlí, Honduras — Villazon & Co. / General Cigar facilities |
| Vitola / Shape | Churchill |
| Size | 7 x 48 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $9–$13 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged prior to rolling; no significant post-production aging noted |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The first third opens with toasted cedar and light cream, backed by subtle white pepper on the retrohale. A gentle nuttiness — roasted cashew or almond — establishes early, with mild floral notes from the Connecticut shade wrapper adding refinement.
Second Third
The mid-section deepens into hay, dry wood, and a pleasant baking spice character — think cinnamon and a touch of clove. Leather begins to emerge alongside a mild creaminess that coats the palate without becoming heavy or syrupy.
Final Third
The final third brings a modest increase in body, with roasted wood, dry earth, and a hint of espresso emerging. The sweetness from the wrapper fades slightly, giving way to a longer, drier finish with lingering cedar and mild spice — never harsh, controlled to the nub.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is reliable and consistent — a hallmark of General Cigar's Honduran production. The draw is open to medium resistance, the burn line stays even with minimal touch-ups, and the ash holds firm in three-quarter-inch columns with a light grey complexion.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Medium-bodied aged rum — Ron Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva or Flor de Caña 12 Year — or a lightly peated Scotch such as Glenlivet 15. Avoid heavily peated malts which will overwhelm the mild profile.
Wine
A Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley or a Côtes du Rhône blend — fruit-forward but not tannic, complementing the cedar and cream without drowning the cigar's subtlety.
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast Colombian drip coffee or a lightly sweetened cold brew — the nutty, cedar notes in the cigar harmonize beautifully with mild coffee acidity.
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the afternoon of a long week, when the porch swing is finally still and the day's noise has receded to a distant hum. You are the smoker who has a few boxes of heavier hitters in the humidor but finds yourself reaching for something less demanding, yet far from simple. You've been at this for a few years, you know your way around a retrohale, and you appreciate a cigar that doesn't require your full, undivided attention to be rewarding. You enjoy a good Connecticut, but you're tired of blends that are all cream and no character. This Brick House gives you that familiar shade-grown elegance but with a backbone of Honduran earth and spice that keeps it interesting. It's the cigar you smoke while you're reading a book or thinking through a problem, not the one you light up for a celebration. It's a quiet, dependable companion that asks for nothing but your time, and gives back a steady, refined smoke that feels far more expensive than its price tag suggests.
Bottom Line
The Brick House Excalibur Churchill is a masterclass in understated elegance, offering a long, nuanced session that belies its accessible price point. It is the definitive choice for the smoker who values a refined, contemplative experience over raw power, and it solidifies its place as a modern classic in the everyday rotation.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Brick House cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brick House Excalibur Churchill a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Medium (3/5) on our strength scale. Physically, this means you will experience a comfortable, steady nicotine presence that is noticeable but never overwhelming. It will not cause a head rush or require a full meal beforehand, making it suitable for a long session without fatigue.
What does Brick House Excalibur Churchill taste like?
The flavor profile evolves in three distinct acts. It opens with toasted cedar, sweet cream, and a roasted cashew nuttiness, with white pepper on the retrohale. The middle third introduces hay, dry wood, cinnamon, and clove, alongside a supple leather note. The finale brings roasted wood, dry earth, and a hint of espresso, finishing with lingering cedar and mild spice.
How long does Brick House Excalibur Churchill take to smoke?
Given its Churchill vitola (7 x 48) and the cigar's deliberate burn rate, you should allocate approximately 90 minutes for a relaxed, full session. This can stretch longer if you are smoking slowly and contemplatively, or shorten slightly if you are a faster smoker, but it is designed for a long, unhurried experience.
What is the best pairing for Brick House Excalibur Churchill?
A medium-bodied aged rum like Ron Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva is the ideal companion. The rum's natural sweetness from aging in bourbon casks complements the cigar's cedar and cream notes, while its own hints of chocolate and dried fruit echo the nuttiness and baking spice without overpowering the cigar's subtle profile.
Is Brick House Excalibur Churchill good for beginners?
Yes, with a caveat. Its Medium strength is very approachable, and the flavor profile is refined and non-aggressive, making it an excellent step up from milder starter cigars. However, at $9–$13 per cigar and a 90-minute commitment, it is a significant investment for a novice. It is better suited for a beginner who has already smoked a few cigars and is ready to explore a longer, more nuanced experience.
Where can I buy Brick House Excalibur Churchill?
As a widely distributed premium cigar in the everyday tier, you can find it at most well-stocked brick-and-mortar tobacconists. It is also readily available from major online cigar retailers like Cigars International, Famous Smoke Shop, and Holt's, where you can often find them sold in boxes or samplers for better value.
What is the price of Brick House Excalibur Churchill?
The expected retail price is between $9 and $13 per single cigar. This places it firmly in the 'everyday premium' category, offering significant value for the construction quality and the length of the smoking session it provides.
Is Brick House Excalibur Churchill worth aging?
Not particularly. The tobaccos are already aged for smoothness prior to rolling, and the blend is designed to be enjoyed in its current state. The Honduran Connecticut Shade wrapper is delicate and its primary floral and cream notes are best appreciated fresh. While it won't fall apart, extended aging will likely mute its brighter characteristics without adding significant complexity, so it is best enjoyed within a year or two of purchase.
What wrapper does Brick House Excalibur Churchill use?
It uses a Honduran Connecticut Shade wrapper, specifically in a Colorado Claro color. This wrapper is known for contributing a silky texture, a golden-brown hue, and a flavor profile that is mild, slightly sweet, and floral, providing the refined top notes that balance the stronger Nicaraguan and Honduran filler tobaccos.
Where is Brick House Excalibur Churchill made?
It is hand-rolled in Danlí, Honduras, at the Villazon & Co. facilities operated by General Cigar. This production origin is a hallmark of the brand, and the factory's expertise is evident in the cigar's reliable construction, even burn, and open draw, which are consistent hallmarks of General Cigar's Honduran production standards.