Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 2 Review

Overview

There is a quiet confidence to the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 2 that feels almost anachronistic in an era of pepper-bomb blends and limited-edition one-upsmanship. This is a cigar that doesn't need to shout; it simply is. Introduced by Frank Llaneza in the 1970s, the Excalibur line predates the Nicaraguan revolution in premium tobacco, and the No. 2 in its Natural expression carries that lineage like a well-worn leather chair—familiar, comfortable, and deeply reassuring. From the first cold draw, there's a promise of restraint: the Honduran Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper offers a faint sweetness, like dried apricot on toasted bread, while the foot hints at cedar shavings and a whisper of white pepper that never intends to overwhelm.

The first third unfolds with a deliberate, almost meditative pace. Toasted cedar leads, but it's the dry hay and gentle creaminess that give the smoke its texture—think of the inside of a freshly opened cedar humidor, not the sharp bite of new wood. The retrohale is where the blend shows its breeding: a clean, slightly sweet draw carries white pepper and light almonds, the kind of nuttiness that feels polished rather than raw. There's no rush here; the smoke sits on the palate with an easy confidence, inviting you to settle into the rhythm of the burn.

By the second third, the Excalibur No. 2 begins to reveal its deeper architecture. Leather emerges, not the heavy, oily kind, but the supple hide of a well-worn glove. Dried cocoa follows, more powdered than sweet, and a subtle earthiness anchors the profile like a bass note. Mid-palate, a woody spice—think of cinnamon bark rather than red pepper—intertwines with the lingering almond and a mild caramel sweetness that balances the drier tobacco notes. This is the heart of the cigar, where the Honduran and Nicaraguan long-fillers engage in a quiet conversation, each contributing without dominating. The strength remains firmly medium, a 3 out of 5, but the complexity suggests a blend that has been carefully aged and even more carefully assembled.

The final third tightens the focus without losing its composure. Roasted nuts take center stage, joined by aged cedar that has lost its youthful sharpness and a mineral earthiness that recalls damp stone after rain. The finish turns gently tannic, like black tea left a moment too long, with traces of espresso grounds and dry spice lingering on the palate. There is no harshness, no bitter collapse—just a graceful fade that leaves you with the memory of a well-told story. The burn throughout is exemplary: a clean, even line with ash that holds firm to about an inch, and a draw that sits open to slightly firm, producing excellent smoke volume for a medium-bodied cigar. This is a 90-minute journey that rewards patience, a smoke that asks nothing of you except your presence.

Cigar Specifications

Wrapper	Honduran Connecticut Broadleaf (Natural) — Colorado
Binder	Honduran
Filler	Honduran and Nicaraguan long-fillers, aged
Country of Origin	Danlí, Honduras (General Cigar / Villazon factory)
Vitola / Shape	Toro
Size	6.5 x 54
Strength	Medium
Price	$12–$18 per cigar
Tier	Premium
Aging	Tobaccos undergo brief aging at the factory; no formal extended vintage aging on standard releases

Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression

First Third

The first third opens with toasted cedar, dry hay, and a mild creaminess typical of Honduran puro-adjacent blends. There is a gentle undercurrent of white pepper and light almonds on the retrohale, with a clean, slightly sweet draw.

Second Third

The blend develops more complexity in the second third, introducing notes of leather, dried cocoa, and a subtle earthiness. A pleasant woody spice emerges mid-palate alongside lingering almond and a mild caramel sweetness that balances the drier tobacco notes.

Final Third

The final third tightens slightly in flavor intensity, bringing forward roasted nuts, aged cedar, and a mineral earthiness. A gentle tannic finish with traces of espresso grounds and dry spice rounds out the experience without ever becoming harsh or bitter.

Construction, Burn & Draw

Construction is reliably consistent — General Cigar's Danlí operation produces a clean, even burn with moderate ash that holds firm to approximately an inch. Draw is open to slightly firm, with excellent smoke volume for a medium-bodied cigar.

Pairing Recommendations

Spirit

Aged Honduran or Nicaraguan rum (Flor de Caña 12-year or Ron Zacapa 23), or a wheated bourbon such as Maker's Mark 46 — spirits that echo the blend's cedar and caramel notes without overwhelming its moderate strength

Wine

A medium-bodied Tempranillo-based Rioja Reserva or a Côtes du Rhône with Grenache dominance — both complement the earthy, nutty mid-palate without clashing with the mild pepper notes

Non-Alcoholic

A medium-roast Colombian coffee, black or with a touch of raw sugar — avoid heavy dark roasts that will mask the cigar's more delicate cream and almond notes

Who Should Smoke This?

Meet Daniel, a 15-year veteran of the leaf who has spent the last decade chasing ever-stronger releases from boutique factories in Estelí. Tonight, after a long week of client calls and airport lounges, he wants something that won't demand a full stomach or a fire extinguisher. He's reaching for the Excalibur No. 2 on a Sunday afternoon, sitting on his back porch with a cup of medium-roast Colombian coffee, the paper unread beside him. He remembers smoking these in the late '90s, before the strength wars, and he's curious if the blend still holds its ground. It does. This cigar gives Daniel permission to slow down, to enjoy the craft of a blend that has never needed to prove itself. It's not a challenge; it's a conversation with an old friend who hasn't changed, and that's exactly what he needs.

Bottom Line

The Excalibur No. 2 is a masterclass in understated excellence—a blend that proves consistency and heritage can outshine any novelty. It won't knock you over, but it will remind you why you fell in love with cigars in the first place. Smoke it when you want to remember what 'premium' used to mean.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 2 a strong cigar?

No, it is rated Medium (3/5) on our strength scale. Physically, this means you'll feel a gentle, warming presence on the palate and a mild nicotine buzz that builds slowly over the 90-minute smoke, but it won't overwhelm you or require a heavy meal beforehand. It's comfortable to smoke on an empty stomach, though a light snack won't hurt.

What does Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 2 taste like?

The flavor progression moves from toasted cedar, dry hay, and mild creaminess in the first third, to leather, dried cocoa, and subtle earthiness with a woody spice and caramel sweetness in the second. The final third tightens to roasted nuts, aged cedar, mineral earth, and a gentle tannic finish with espresso grounds and dry spice.

How long does Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 2 take to smoke?

As a Toro vitola measuring 6.5 x 54, expect a relaxed 90-minute smoke. If you tend to puff slowly and let the cigar rest between draws, you can stretch it to nearly two hours; a faster pace might bring it down to 75 minutes. The even burn and firm ash support a leisurely session.

What is the best pairing for Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 2?

Aged Honduran rum like Flor de Caña 12-year is the ideal companion—its caramel and vanilla notes mirror the cigar's mid-palate sweetness without overpowering the medium body. Alternatively, a wheated bourbon such as Maker's Mark 46 echoes the cedar and caramel profile. For non-alcoholic options, a medium-roast Colombian coffee with a touch of raw sugar enhances the cream and almond notes without masking them.

Is Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 2 good for beginners?

Yes, with a caveat. The Medium (3/5) strength and smooth, non-aggressive flavor profile make it an excellent step up for smokers graduating from mild cigars. However, at $12–$18 per cigar, it's a premium investment—so it's better suited for a beginner who has already developed a palate for distinguishing notes and wants to experience a classic Honduran blend, rather than someone just testing the waters.

Where can I buy Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 2?

This is a premium-tier cigar, so look for it at well-stocked brick-and-mortar tobacconists with a dedicated humidor, or reputable online retailers like Cigars International, Famous Smoke Shop, or Holt's. Given its heritage status, it's also a staple at many cigar lounges—call ahead to check availability if you want to smoke one on-site.

What is the price of Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 2?

Expect to pay between $12 and $18 per cigar, depending on your local tax rate and whether you buy singles or a box. At that price point, it sits firmly in the premium tier—not an everyday budget smoke, but a reasonable splurge for a 90-minute session of this quality.

Is Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 2 worth aging?

Not particularly. The tobaccos undergo brief aging at the factory, but this is not a blend designed for extended vintage aging. The Honduran Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is already at its peak, and the medium body will likely lose its delicate cream and almond notes if cellared for more than 2–3 years. Smoke it fresh to enjoy the blend as intended.

What wrapper does Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 2 use?

It uses a Honduran Connecticut Broadleaf (Natural) wrapper, which is a shade-grown leaf with a Colorado color—medium-brown with a slight natural sheen and smooth tooth. This wrapper contributes the cigar's signature mild sweetness, toasted cedar notes, and a clean, even burn, while keeping the overall strength in the medium range.

Where is Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 2 made?

It's hand-rolled at the General Cigar / Villazon factory in Danlí, Honduras. This facility is known for its consistent construction quality, which is evident in the cigar's even burn, firm ash, and open-to-slightly-firm draw. The blend uses Honduran binder and a mix of Honduran and Nicaraguan long-fillers, all aged briefly at the factory before rolling.