AshMap
Overview
The Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I is a cigar that resists the contemporary impulse toward bombast. Introduced in the 1970s as a premium sub-brand beneath the venerable Hoyo de Monterrey umbrella, Excalibur was conceived during a golden era of Honduran cigar craftsmanship, under the stewardship of the legendary Frank Llaneza at the General Cigar factory in Danlí, Honduras. Where many modern blends announce themselves with brute-force pepper and unabashed strength, the Excalibur No. I speaks in a quieter, more sophisticated vernacular — one of restraint, balance, and deliberate complexity. It is, in every meaningful sense, a thinking person's cigar.
Dressed in a Honduran shade-grown Colorado wrapper — medium brown, silky with a subtle satin sheen and minimal tooth — the Churchill format (7.0 x 54) cuts an imposing yet elegant figure. The construction is impeccable, a hallmark of the Danlí facility, delivering a generous draw that produces pillowy, cool smoke from the first light. The cold draw hints at dry cedar and a whisper of floral sweetness, but it is once lit that the cigar reveals its true character: a creamy medley of toasted cashew and almond, layered over mild leather and a gentle white pepper on the retrohale. The first third is a study in grace, easing the palate into the experience without demand.
As the smoke progresses into the second third, the narrative deepens. Cedar matures into aged oak, and a rich earth note emerges alongside light cocoa powder. A subtle caramel sweetness threads through the profile, balancing a growing but never aggressive spice presence. Here, complexity becomes the central theme — nuance over volume, integration over intensity. The final third brings a warming increase in strength without turning sharp: dark roasted coffee grounds, dried leather, and a dried-fruit sweetness reminiscent of raisin or dark fig round out the experience. The finish is medium-long, with a pleasant woody bitterness and lingering cocoa that reward the patient smoker.
In an era increasingly dominated by high-octane blends and limited-edition hype, the Excalibur No. I remains a quietly brilliant outlier. It captures an old-world restraint that many modern power-blend enthusiasts overlook, and at a price point of $12–$18, it represents one of the most underrated value propositions in the premium cigar landscape. For those who came of age during the 1990s cigar boom, this is both a benchmark and a nostalgia trip — a reminder that subtlety, when executed with skill, is its own form of power.
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?
The Excalibur No. I is designed for the seasoned enthusiast who values complexity over sheer strength. It suits the experienced smoker with a refined palate — someone who appreciates how cedar, cocoa, and dried fruit can weave together without a single note dominating. Given its 90-to-100-minute Churchill format, this is a cigar for a relaxed afternoon or early evening session: a porch, a patio, a quiet corner with no pressing obligations. While beginners can certainly enjoy its smoothness and forgiving profile, they may miss the deeper narrative arc that unfolds with each third. This is a cigar for the contemplative smoker who sees the act of smoking as a ritual, not a race.
Bottom Line
The Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I is a masterclass in understated complexity — elegant, well-constructed, and profoundly rewarding for those who take the time to explore its arc. At its price, it stands as one of the finest value propositions in premium cigars, a quiet contender that deserves a permanent place in any well-rounded humidor.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Hoyo de Monterrey cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I a strong cigar?
No. It is classified as medium strength (3/5). The smoke is balanced and smooth, with a gentle warming increase in the final third but never aggressive or overwhelming. It prioritizes nuance over power.
What does Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I taste like?
The flavor profile evolves across three thirds. First third: creamy toasted nuts (cashew, almond), mild leather, white pepper. Second third: aged oak, rich earth, light cocoa, subtle caramel sweetness. Final third: dark roasted coffee, dried leather, raisin or dark fig sweetness, with a medium-long finish of woody bitterness and cocoa.
How long does Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I take to smoke?
Expect a smoking time of 90 to 100 minutes. The Churchill format (7.0 x 54) demands patience and is best suited for a relaxed session where the cigar's full arc can be appreciated.
What is the best pairing for Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I?
A Highland single malt Scotch like Dalmore 12 or Glenmorangie Original complements the cedar and caramel notes. Alternatively, a well-aged añejo rum such as Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva mirrors the blend's sweetness. For wine, a medium-bodied Tempranillo (Rioja Reserva from Muga or La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904) echoes the dried fruit and leather. For a non-alcoholic option, a single-origin Colombian medium roast coffee, slightly cooled, amplifies the cocoa and almond notes.
Is Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I good for beginners?
It can be, due to its smooth, medium-strength profile and forgiving draw. However, its complexity and slow evolution may be underappreciated by a novice palate. Beginners who enjoy a refined, non-intimidating smoke will find it approachable, but more experienced smokers will extract greater reward from its nuances.
Where can I buy Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I?
The Excalibur No. I is widely available at premium cigar retailers, both brick-and-mortar and online. Reputable sources include major online cigar shops, authorized General Cigar distributors, and high-end tobacconists. Due to its popularity, it is rarely subject to allocation or scarcity.
What is the price of Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I?
The price ranges from $12 to $18 per cigar, depending on retailer and local taxes. Given its premium construction and aged tobaccos, it is considered an excellent value in the classic premium cigar segment.
Is Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I worth aging?
Yes. The tobaccos are already aged a minimum of three years prior to rolling, but additional box aging of 6 to 12 months is recommended to further integrate the flavors. Well-aged Excalibur No. I cigars develop even greater depth, with the cedar and spice mellowing into a more rounded, harmonious profile.
What wrapper does Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I use?
It features a Honduran Shade-Grown Natural wrapper in the Colorado color grade. The wrapper is medium brown, silky, with a subtle satin sheen and minimal tooth, contributing to the cigar's elegant appearance and smooth flavor.
Where is Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I made?
It is hand-rolled at the General Cigar facility in Danlí, Honduras — a region renowned for its cigar production. The binder is Honduran, and the filler is a blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan long-fillers, with all tobaccos aged a minimum of three years before rolling.