AshMap
Overview
There is a quiet confidence to the Brick House Toro, a cigar that doesn't need to announce its pedigree because its smoke does the talking. It arrives in the hand with a heft that feels honest, the Colorado-hued Connecticut Shade wrapper stretched taut over a firm core, its surface carrying a subtle, natural sheen that catches the light like polished mahogany. This is not a cigar built for theatrics; it is built for the ritual of the evening, a dependable companion that understands the assignment before you even strike the match. The cold draw is a promise of things to come—a concentrated burst of dried fig and apricot, layered over a clean cedar plank and a whisper of sweet cream that coats the palate in anticipation.
From the first ignition, the narrative unfolds with a deliberate, unhurried pace. The opening salvo is a study in toasted almond and macadamia, their oily richness grounded by a supple leather note that feels like an old glove. The cedar from the cold draw transforms, becoming the creamy backbone of the smoke, a structural element that carries the profile forward. A fine-grained black pepper, more felt than tasted, dances on the retrohale, providing a gentle, insistent pulse that keeps the senses alert without ever demanding attention. It is an opening movement of remarkable composure, setting a stage of nutty sweetness and mild, savory depth.
As the ash holds its dense, grey column, the middle third is where the blend reveals its true character, shedding any initial reserve. The toasted nuts deepen into a rich, roasted coffee bean bitterness, the kind that lingers at the back of the throat. This is joined by a dark chocolate note, not the milky confection but the 70% cacao bar with a hint of earth and spice. The aged wood shifts from cedar to a more complex, almost sandalwood-like profile, while a distinct, grounding earthiness emerges from the Nicaraguan filler, a mineral-rich terroir that speaks of Jalapa and Estelí. The pepper recedes, replaced by a savory, umami quality that makes the smoke feel substantial and deeply satisfying.
In the final act, the Brick House builds to a crescendo of controlled power. The espresso note from the middle third intensifies, turning into a bold, almost syrupy shot, while the wood profile darkens to charred oak, its smokiness adding a final layer of complexity. The dark cocoa returns, now a lingering, bittersweet finish that coats the mouth with a long, slightly sweet, and utterly clean resolution. The black pepper makes a final, assertive return on the retrohale, a last statement of intent before the cigar bows out gracefully, never tipping into harshness or bitterness. It is a masterclass in construction and blending, a smoke that delivers a legitimate, layered journey from a value-priced vitola, proving that consistency and complexity are not the sole province of premium price tags.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Honduran Connecticut Shade (Ecuadorian Connecticut on some releases) — note: Excalibur by Hoyo de Monterrey is a separat — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan long-filler tobaccos, including Jalapa and Estelí primings, aged a minimum of three years |
| Country of Origin | Danlí, Honduras — manufactured at the HATSA factory by General Cigar |
| Vitola / Shape | Toro |
| Size | 6 x 50 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $8–$12 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Filler tobaccos aged approximately three years prior to rolling |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw offers dried fruit, cedar, and a whisper of cream. On light, the first third opens with toasted nuts, mild leather, and a creamy cedar backbone. A subtle black pepper note punctuates the retrohale without overwhelming.
Second Third
The blend finds its stride in the middle third — roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and aged wood come forward with clear definition. A mild earthiness develops alongside a pleasant nuttiness that keeps the profile grounded and approachable.
Final Third
The final third ramps up in body and spice, with espresso, charred oak, and a lingering dark cocoa finish. Some black pepper returns on the retrohale, and the finish is long, slightly sweet, and satisfying without becoming bitter or harsh.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is reliably excellent for the price point — the draw is effortless with just the right resistance, and the burn line is nearly razor-straight with a dense, firm ash that holds well past an inch. A model of factory consistency.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Honduran rum (Flor de Caña 12-Year) or a wheated bourbon such as Maker's Mark 46 — the sweetness complements the chocolate and cedar notes without competing
Wine
A Tempranillo-based Rioja Reserva or a medium-bodied Malbec from Mendoza — fruit-forward with enough tannin to stand up to the cigar's earthiness
Non-Alcoholic
A double shot of Colombian drip coffee or a flat white — the roasted coffee notes in the blend mirror and amplify beautifully
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the seasoned smoker who has a humidor full of $20+ unicorns but finds himself reaching for the same reliable five-pack on a Tuesday night. He’s the guy who appreciates the nuance of a rare vintage but also values the honest, unpretentious character of a well-made everyday cigar. He’s just finished a long shift, the house is quiet, and he’s settling into a worn leather chair with a pour of bourbon. He doesn't want to analyze; he wants to unwind. He already enjoys the earthy depth of a Padron or the nutty profile of an Ashton, but tonight he wants something that delivers that same satisfaction without the ceremony. This Brick House will give him a solid hour of contemplative smoke, a flavor journey that rewards his attention but doesn't demand it, and a finish that leaves him feeling completely satisfied, not shortchanged. It’s the smoke he reaches for when he wants to remember why he fell in love with cigars in the first place.
Bottom Line
The Brick House Toro is a benchmark for the everyday premium, delivering a complex, medium-full journey of coffee, cocoa, and earth that rivals cigars twice its price. Its flawless construction and honest character make it an essential staple for any serious humidor. Buy them by the box; you will smoke them all.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Brick House cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brick House Excalibur Toro a strong cigar?
It is rated Medium-Full (4/5), which means it has a noticeable, satisfying body and a solid nicotine kick that builds through the final third. It is not a nicotine bomb, but it will provide a clear, physical sense of satisfaction and is best smoked after a meal or with a drink, not on an empty stomach.
What does Brick House Excalibur Toro taste like?
The flavor profile evolves significantly. The first third offers toasted nuts (almond, macadamia), mild leather, and creamy cedar. The middle third introduces roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and aged wood with a developing earthiness. The final third ramps up to bold espresso, charred oak, and a lingering dark cocoa finish with a return of black pepper on the retrohale.
How long does Brick House Excalibur Toro take to smoke?
Given its Toro vitola (6 x 50), you should set aside 60 to 75 minutes for a relaxed smoke. The dense construction and firm ash mean it burns slowly and evenly, rewarding a leisurely pace.
What is the best pairing for Brick House Excalibur Toro?
An aged Honduran rum like Flor de Caña 12-Year is an ideal match. Its inherent sweetness from the sugarcane and aging process complements the cigar's chocolate and cedar notes without competing, while its own woody, vanilla character harmonizes with the blend's earthy core. A wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark 46 is a close second.
Is Brick House Excalibur Toro good for beginners?
It is a good 'next step' for a beginner who has moved past mild cigars. The Medium-Full strength is approachable but present, and the flavors are clear and defined rather than subtle. At $8–$12, it is a low-risk way to explore a more robust profile, but a novice should smoke it slowly and with food to manage the nicotine.
Where can I buy Brick House Excalibur Toro?
As a widely distributed value-premium brand from General Cigar, you can find it at most well-stocked local tobacconists, major online cigar retailers like Cigars International or Famous Smoke Shop, and often in larger liquor stores with a dedicated cigar humidor.
What is the price of Brick House Excalibur Toro?
The Brick House Toro typically retails for between $8 and $12 per cigar. This price point places it firmly in the 'everyday premium' tier, offering exceptional value for the complexity and construction quality it delivers.
Is Brick House Excalibur Toro worth aging?
While the filler tobaccos are already aged three years prior to rolling, this cigar is blended to be enjoyed now. It will not necessarily improve with long-term humidor aging, but a year or two of rest can help meld the flavors further and soften the pepper notes. It is best to buy them to smoke, not to speculate on.
What wrapper does Brick House Excalibur Toro use?
It uses a Honduran Connecticut Shade wrapper, though some releases feature an Ecuadorian Connecticut. This Colorado-colored, medium-brown wrapper is smooth with a subtle natural sheen. It contributes the creamy cedar, mild leather, and toasted nut character that defines the first half of the smoke, providing a refined counterpoint to the stronger Nicaraguan fillers.
Where is Brick House Excalibur Toro made?
It is hand-rolled with long-filler tobaccos at the HATSA factory in Danlí, Honduras, under the supervision of General Cigar. This factory is known for its exceptional quality control, which is evident in the cigar's razor-straight burn line and effortless draw.