Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 4 Review

Overview

There is a quiet rebellion happening in the humidor, and it smells like cedar and restraint. The Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 4 is the rebel's weapon of choice — a cigar that refuses to shout in an era of decibel-chasing blends. From the first cold draw, there's a whisper of sweet hay and dried apricot that promises something more considered than the average toro. This is not a cigar that announces itself; it insinuates. The pre-light aroma is a study in controlled elegance — faint honey, a touch of leather-bound books, and that unmistakable scent of a well-kept cedar chest. It's the olfactory equivalent of a tailored suit in a room full of graphic tees.

The first third unfolds with the deliberate pace of a seasoned storyteller. Toasted cedar leads, but it's the supporting cast that reveals the blend's DNA: dry hay that evokes a sun-bleached field in late August, a white pepper tingle that dances on the retrohale without ever burning, and an unexpected floral note — think jasmine, not rosewater — that lifts the profile into something almost ethereal. The texture is the real revelation here. A creamy mouthfeel develops within the first dozen draws, coating the palate with a subtle almond paste sensation that softens the wood-forward opening. This is Honduran tobacco at its most articulate, speaking in complete sentences rather than exclamation points.

By the second third, the narrative shifts from poetry to prose — richer, more grounded, but no less compelling. Roasted cashew emerges as the dominant flavor, a warm, oily nuttiness that pairs beautifully with the leather note that's been building in the background. The earthiness here is gentle, more like freshly turned garden soil after a light rain than the aggressive, mineral-laden dirt of some Nicaraguan powerhouses. At the midpoint, cocoa dust begins to settle on the palate like fine powdered chocolate, not sweet, but deeply aromatic. This is where the blend's Central American soul becomes unmistakable — there's a savory, almost umami quality that speaks to the Honduran filler's character, while the Nicaraguan component adds just enough structural tension to keep things interesting.

The final third is a masterclass in controlled resolution. The toasted oak returns, but it's warmer now, almost like the inside of a bourbon barrel that's been charred just shy of aggressively. Bittersweet chocolate takes over from the cocoa dust, and then comes the surprise — dried fig and raisin notes that emerge like a memory you can't quite place. The spice that opened the cigar returns on the finish, but it's mellowed into something more like cinnamon than pepper. The nicotine never spikes; it builds with the patience of a tide coming in, leaving you satisfied but clear-headed as the nub burns down to a warm, manageable point. The ash holds in dense, flaky columns that drop with a satisfying clean break, and the burn requires almost no intervention — a testament to the HATSA factory's consistency.

This is a cigar that understands its own history. Born from Frank Llaneza's vision at Villazon & Co. and now living under General Cigar's stewardship, the Excalibur line has survived the industry's pendulum swings toward strength and back again. The No. 4 represents a philosophy: that a medium-bodied cigar can be intellectually stimulating, that restraint is not the absence of flavor but its curation. It's the kind of smoke that rewards attention but doesn't demand it — equally at home in a focused tasting session or as background music to a good book. In a market obsessed with the next extreme, the Excalibur No. 4 is a reminder that sometimes the most radical thing you can do is simply be excellent at what you are.

Cigar Specifications

Wrapper	Honduran Natural — shade-grown — Colorado
Binder	Honduran
Filler	Honduran and Nicaraguan long-fillers, lightly aged
Country of Origin	Danlí, Honduras — manufactured at HATSA (Tabacos Hondureños S.A.) under General Cigar Company
Vitola / Shape	Toro
Size	6.0 x 50
Strength	Medium
Price	$10–$14 per cigar
Tier	Everyday
Aging	Moderate pre-roll aging on fillers; no extended post-roll aging program publicly documented

Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression

First Third

Opens with toasted cedar, dry hay, and a mild white pepper tingle on the retrohale. A creamy texture emerges quickly with subtle almond and light floral notes underpinning the wood-forward profile.

Second Third

The body rounds out into classic Central American territory — roasted cashew, leather, and a gentle earthiness. Cocoa dust begins to develop at the midpoint, adding complexity without overwhelming the cigar's naturally elegant, medium-bodied character.

Final Third

Finishes with a warm blend of toasted oak, bittersweet chocolate, and dried fruit — fig or raisin — with a mild spice return on the lingering finish. Nicotine remains measured, never harsh, even as the nub approaches.

Construction, Burn & Draw

Construction is reliably consistent from General Cigar's HATSA factory — burn is even and self-correcting with a firm, cool draw. Ash holds in dense half-inch columns and drops cleanly; occasional touch-ups may be needed but are rarely required.

Pairing Recommendations

Spirit

Aged rum — specifically Zacapa 23 or Appleton Estate 21-Year — whose caramel and vanilla notes amplify the cigar's almond and cocoa mid-palate; a light-to-medium Scotch such as Glenfarclas 12 also works beautifully.

Wine

A medium-bodied Rioja Reserva (Muga or La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904) — the Tempranillo's dried cherry and earthy leather notes mirror the cigar's second third precisely.

Non-Alcoholic

A medium-roast Colombian pour-over or a lightly sweetened café con leche — the cigar's nutty, cedar-forward profile is enhanced rather than overwhelmed by a clean coffee without heavy dark-roast bitterness.

Who Should Smoke This?

Meet Daniel — he's been smoking seriously for about three years, long enough to appreciate the difference between a well-constructed blend and a novelty act. He's got a humidor stocked with Padróns and Tatuajes for when he wants to wrestle with his cigar, but tonight is different. It's a Sunday evening in late October, the last hour of golden light is slanting through his porch screens, and he's just finished a long week of client meetings that required more emotional labor than technical skill. He wants something that will let him decompress without putting him to sleep, something that tastes like craftsmanship rather than chemistry. Daniel has been meaning to explore more Honduran offerings after a trip to Danlí last spring, and he's heard whispers about the Excalibur's quiet reputation. This cigar will give him that moment of clarity — a smoke that engages his palate with its almond-and-cocoa evolution while his mind wanders to less demanding places. It's not a cigar for making statements; it's a cigar for making an evening feel complete.

Bottom Line

The Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 4 is a masterful argument for elegance in a strength-obsessed market. It delivers a sensory journey that rewards attention without demanding it, and at this price point, it's a reminder that refinement doesn't require a museum budget. Smoke it when you want to remember why you fell in love with cigars in the first place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 4 a strong cigar?

No, it's rated Medium (3/5) on our strength scale. Physically, this means you'll feel a gentle, building warmth rather than a nicotine rush. The strength is present enough to be satisfying but never overwhelms the flavor profile — you can smoke it on an empty stomach without issue, and it won't leave you dizzy or needing a sugar hit afterward.

What does Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 4 taste like?

The flavor arc moves from toasted cedar, dry hay, and white pepper with almond and floral notes in the first third, to roasted cashew, leather, and gentle earthiness with cocoa dust developing by the midpoint. The final third brings toasted oak, bittersweet chocolate, and dried fig or raisin notes with a mild spice on the finish.

How long does Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 4 take to smoke?

Expect a 60–70 minute smoke. The Toro vitola at 6.0 x 50 gives you a substantial volume of tobacco, but the medium strength and even burn rate mean you won't be fighting the cigar for the last inch. It's a perfect length for a relaxed afternoon or a post-dinner session without committing to a two-hour epic.

What is the best pairing for Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 4?

Aged rum is the standout choice — specifically Zacapa 23 or Appleton Estate 21-Year. The caramel and vanilla notes in these rums amplify the cigar's almond and cocoa mid-palate, creating a harmonious sweetness that never cloys. If you prefer Scotch, a light-to-medium option like Glenfarclas 12 works beautifully, its sherried fruitiness echoing the dried fig notes in the final third.

Is Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 4 good for beginners?

Yes, with a caveat about price. At $10–$14 per cigar, it's an investment for someone just starting out, but the Medium strength profile is forgiving — no harsh nicotine spikes or overwhelming pepper. The flavors are clear and identifiable, making it an excellent educational smoke for learning to pick out individual notes. If you're new and want to understand what well-aged Honduran tobacco tastes like, this is a worthy benchmark.

Where can I buy Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 4?

You'll find it at most well-stocked brick-and-mortar cigar shops that carry General Cigar Company products, as well as major online retailers like Cigars International, Famous Smoke Shop, and JR Cigar. Given its Everyday tier positioning, it's not a limited release, so availability is generally consistent. Check your local shop's humidor first — supporting local retail is always the move when possible.

What is the price of Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 4?

The retail price ranges from $10 to $14 per cigar. This places it firmly in the Everyday tier — accessible enough for regular rotation but priced above budget sticks to reflect the hand-rolled construction and aged filler tobaccos. You may find slight discounts when buying boxes of 10 or 20, which brings the per-cigar cost down meaningfully.

Is Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 4 worth aging?

Not particularly, and that's by design. The fillers receive moderate pre-roll aging, but there's no extended post-roll aging program documented for this blend. The Honduran Natural shade-grown wrapper is already at its peak expression. Unlike full-bodied cigars that need time to mellow, this one is crafted to be enjoyed within a few years of purchase. Smoke it fresh to experience the blend as intended — cellaring it won't unlock hidden dimensions.

What wrapper does Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 4 use?

It uses a Honduran Natural shade-grown wrapper, which presents as a medium brown Colorado color with a subtle satin sheen. Shade-growing the tobacco leaves produces thinner, more elastic leaves with a smoother texture and milder flavor contribution. This wrapper is the primary source of the cigar's creamy texture and the subtle floral notes in the opening third, while allowing the filler blend to remain the star of the show.

Where is Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 4 made?

It's manufactured in Danlí, Honduras at the HATSA factory (Tabacos Hondureños S.A.), which operates under General Cigar Company. Danlí is considered the heart of Honduran premium cigar production, and HATSA is known for its consistent construction standards. The cigar is hand-rolled in a traditional round vitola, and the factory's quality control is evident in the even burn and dense ash column you'll experience.