AshMap
Overview
There is a particular stillness that settles over a late afternoon when the light turns amber and the air cools just enough to make a long smoke feel like a decision, not a chore. The Excalibur No. I is built for that exact hour. It arrives in the hand with a heft that promises duration, its Colorado-hued wrapper silky and unblemished, carrying a faint, sweet scent of hay and dried apricot. This is not a cigar that announces itself; it is a voice that waits to be listened to. From the first cold draw, there is a clarity — dry cedar, a hint of floral honey, and the barest suggestion of white pepper — that signals a blend of considerable restraint, a quality increasingly rare in an era of barrel-aged monstrosities and pepper-bomb ligero.
Once lit, the narrative unfolds with deliberate pacing. The opening third is a study in creaminess — toasted cashew and almond butter coat the palate, while a soft leather undertone provides structure. The retrohale is gentle, a whisper of white pepper that tingles rather than burns. The smoke itself is remarkably cool and pillowy, a testament to the Churchill format and the generous draw. There is no rush here; the cigar seems to breathe with you, each puff a measured exhale. As the ash column grows firm and grey, the second third begins its quiet transformation. The cedar deepens into aged oak, and a rich, loamy earth emerges from beneath the cream. A dusting of cocoa powder appears, not sweet, but grounding, while a thread of caramel sweetness weaves through, preventing the earth from becoming too austere. This is the heart of the blend — a complex, interlocking architecture of flavors that shift and recede like light through leaves.
The final third is where the Excalibur earns its keep. The strength, always medium, warms perceptibly, but never loses its composure. The flavors turn darker and more contemplative: espresso grounds, dried leather, and a fruit sweetness that evokes raisin or dark fig. The finish lengthens, leaving a pleasant, woody bitterness and a lingering cocoa note that begs for one more sip of Scotch. The burn throughout is exemplary — a firm, even line that requires no correction, the ash holding in solid, inch-long columns. This is a cigar of quiet confidence, a blend that understands that power is not volume, but resonance. It is a reminder that the old world of Honduran cigar-making, under the guidance of Frank Llaneza, prized nuance and balance above all else. The Excalibur No. I is not a relic; it is a benchmark, a living argument for subtlety that modern enthusiasts would do well to revisit.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Honduran Shade-Grown Natural — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Honduran |
| Filler | Honduran and Nicaraguan long-fillers, aged tobaccos blended at the Villazon/General Cigar factory in Honduras |
| Country of Origin | Danlí, Honduras |
| Vitola / Shape | Churchill |
| Size | 7.0 x 54 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $12–$18 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of three years prior to rolling; box aging recommended for 6–12 months to further integrate the |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with dry cedar and a whisper of floral sweetness. Once lit, the first third delivers creamy toasted nuts — cashew and almond — layered over mild leather and white pepper on the retrohale. The draw is generous, producing a pillowy, cool smoke that eases the palate into the experience.
Second Third
The core flavors deepen considerably — cedar transitions toward aged oak, and a rich earth note emerges alongside light cocoa powder. A subtle caramel sweetness threads through the smoke, balancing a growing but never aggressive spice presence. Complexity is the hallmark here; the smoke is nuanced rather than bold.
Final Third
The final third brings a warming increase in strength without turning sharp. Dark roasted coffee grounds, dried leather, and a dried-fruit sweetness — raisin or dark fig — round out the experience. The finish is medium-long with a pleasant woody bitterness and lingering cocoa on the palate.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is consistently excellent — a hallmark of the General Cigar Honduran factory. Burns with an even, slightly firm draw that produces dense, cool smoke; ash holds firm in inch-plus columns and the burn line rarely requires touch-ups.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Single malt Scotch from the Highlands — Dalmore 12 or Glenmorangie Original complement the cedar and caramel notes beautifully; alternatively, a well-aged añejo rum such as Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva mirrors the sweetness in the blend
Wine
A medium-bodied Tempranillo — Rioja Reserva such as Muga or La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 — whose dried fruit and leather notes echo the cigar's second and final thirds without overpowering it
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Colombian medium roast, slightly cooled to lukewarm — the nutty, mild-chocolate profile amplifies the cocoa and almond notes in the smoke without introducing competing bitterness
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a man in his late forties, a veteran of the 1990s cigar boom who has since smoked his way through every hyped release from Nicaragua. He is on his back porch on a Sunday evening, the grill still cooling, a glass of Dalmore 12 resting on the arm of his chair. He is not looking for a new sensation; he is looking for a familiar conversation. He remembers when a Honduran puro was the pinnacle of sophistication, and he misses that measured, old-world cadence. This cigar is for him — a return to a flavor profile that rewards patience and attention. It will not shout at him, but it will speak in a language he understands perfectly, reminding him why he fell in love with the ritual in the first place.
Bottom Line
The Excalibur No. I is a masterclass in understated elegance, a Churchill that rewards the patient smoker with a slow-burning arc of cedar, earth, and cocoa. It is a definitive argument for the enduring power of balance over brute strength, and an essential smoke for anyone who believes a cigar should be a meditation, not an event.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Hoyo de Monterrey cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Excalibur by Hoyo de Monterrey No. I a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Medium (3/5) on the strength scale. Physically, this means you will feel a gentle, warming presence in the final third, but it will never become harsh or overpowering. It is a cigar that engages the palate with flavor complexity rather than nicotine intensity, making it suitable for a long session without overwhelming the smoker.
What does Excalibur by Hoyo de Monterrey No. I taste like?
The flavor progression is distinct: the first third offers creamy toasted cashew and almond over mild leather with white pepper on the retrohale. The second third deepens into aged oak, rich earth, and light cocoa powder with a subtle caramel sweetness. The final third introduces dark roasted coffee grounds, dried leather, and a dried-fruit sweetness of raisin or dark fig, finishing with a pleasant woody bitterness and lingering cocoa.
How long does Excalibur by Hoyo de Monterrey No. I take to smoke?
As a Churchill vitola measuring 7.0 x 54, this is a substantial smoke. Expect a session of 90 to 100 minutes, depending on your pace. The generous ring gauge and cool-burning nature of the blend encourage a slow, contemplative rhythm, so plan for a full afternoon or evening block of time to appreciate its complete arc.
What is the best pairing for Excalibur by Hoyo de Monterrey No. I?
A single malt Scotch from the Highlands, such as Dalmore 12 or Glenmorangie Original, is the ideal companion. The Scotch's notes of orange zest, honey, and gentle spice mirror the cigar's cedar and caramel sweetness, while its smooth, malty body complements the creamy nuttiness of the first third without overwhelming the blend's subtle earth and cocoa in the later stages.
Is Excalibur by Hoyo de Monterrey No. I good for beginners?
While the Medium strength is approachable, the $12–$18 price point and the 90+ minute smoking time make it a less ideal starting point. A beginner would be better served by a shorter, more affordable vitola to build palate awareness and smoking stamina. However, for a novice who has already smoked a handful of cigars and wants to understand what 'complexity' truly means, this is an excellent educational smoke.
Where can I buy Excalibur by Hoyo de Monterrey No. I?
This premium tier cigar is widely available at established brick-and-mortar tobacconists that carry a diverse portfolio of Honduran and General Cigar products. It is also commonly found at major online cigar retailers, where you can often purchase single sticks or boxes. Given its long-standing production history, it is rarely a limited release, so availability is generally consistent.
What is the price of Excalibur by Hoyo de Monterrey No. I?
The Excalibur No. I typically retails between $12 and $18 per cigar. This price point positions it as a premium offering, reflecting the use of aged long-fillers and the craftsmanship of the Danlí, Honduras factory. It is not an everyday budget smoke, but rather a deliberate purchase for a dedicated session.
Is Excalibur by Hoyo de Monterrey No. I worth aging?
Yes, but with a specific window. The tobaccos are already aged a minimum of three years prior to rolling, which gives the cigar a harmonious, integrated profile from the outset. However, an additional 6–12 months of box aging is recommended to further marry the Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers, softening the white pepper edge and allowing the caramel and cocoa notes to become more pronounced. Beyond two years, the cedar and earth may begin to fade, so the sweet spot is within that first year of rest.
What wrapper does Excalibur by Hoyo de Monterrey No. I use?
It uses a Honduran Shade-Grown Natural wrapper, which is a silky, medium-brown leaf with a subtle satin sheen. This wrapper is a key contributor to the cigar's signature creaminess and mild sweetness, providing a smooth, elegant texture that allows the underlying filler flavors of cedar and earth to shine without being masked by heavy spice or oiliness.
Where is Excalibur by Hoyo de Monterrey No. I made?
It is hand-rolled at the General Cigar facility in Danlí, Honduras. This factory is renowned for its consistent construction quality, which is evident in the cigar's even burn, firm ash, and cool, dense smoke. The blend is a product of the region's golden era of cigar-making, developed under the guidance of Frank Llaneza, and remains a benchmark for Honduran craftsmanship.