Excalibur No. II by Hoyo de Monterrey Review

Overview

The Excalibur No. II by Hoyo de Monterrey is a quiet monument to a bygone era in Honduran cigar making—a time when Danlí, not Estelí, was the epicenter of Central American craftsmanship and when men like Frank Llaneza proved that the island of Cuba had no monopoly on complexity or balance. Conceived in the 1970s as the premium Honduran sibling to the storied Hoyo de Monterrey line, Excalibur was Llaneza’s answer to the question: What happens when you marry the structure of Cuban traditions with the rugged, sun-drenched terroir of the Jamastrán Valley? The answer, nearly five decades later, remains a study in restraint and grace.

The No. II Churchill vitola—7 inches by a generous 54-ring gauge—is the line’s most commanding format, demanding both time and attention. Its Honduran Natural wrapper is a shade-grown Corojo leaf finished in a Colorado hue: medium brown, slightly toothy, with a satin sheen that catches the light like worn leather. Beneath it lies a Honduran binder and a filler blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan long-leaf tobaccos, all aged before rolling. The construction, executed at the Villazon & Co. factory (later folded into General Cigar’s operations in Danlí), is a masterclass in consistency—an even burn, a cool draw, and a firm ash that holds stubbornly past the first inch.

Flavor-wise, the No. II is a journey through terroir rather than a fireworks display. It opens with classic Honduran notes—rich cedar, roasted nuts, dry cocoa powder, and a whisper of white pepper on the retrohale that announces itself without overstaying its welcome. The second third deepens into dark leather, dried fig and raisin, and an earthy hum that speaks directly to the Jamastrán Valley’s alluvial soils. A subtle creaminess emerges mid-stick, softening the pepper into a warm baking spice. The final third tightens into espresso, toasted oak, and dark chocolate, with mineral undertones that linger on a long, dry finish accented by a faint sweetness on the lips. Strength remains medium-full throughout—present enough to satisfy an experienced palate but never overpowering.

In an era where many premiums trade on hype and bluster, the Excalibur No. II is a quiet rebuttal. It punches well above its price point, offering a depth and coherence that exposes how much of the luxury market is simply paying for marketing rather than tobacco. This is a cigar for the smoker who values nuance over decibels—a contemplative Churchill that rewards patience, respects tradition, and proves that Honduran craftsmanship, when done right, rivals the very best the world has to offer.