AshMap
Overview
The Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 6 occupies a curious position in the contemporary cigar landscape — celebrated by those who smoke it regularly, yet somehow overlooked by an industry increasingly seduced by bold Nicaraguan profiles and marketing narratives. Introduced in the 1970s as General Cigar's premium sub-brand distinct from the company's Cuban-heritage Hoyo line, the Excalibur has endured precisely because it refuses to chase trends. This lonsdale, hand-rolled at the HATSA factory in Honduras, represents a philosophy of measured refinement: medium strength, balanced complexity, and the kind of construction that rewards attention without demanding it.
The cigar's character unfolds across three distinct movements. It opens with the Connecticut shade-grown wrapper's signature gentleness — toasted almond and cedar against a creamy base, with hints of hay and white pepper that suggest complexity to come. By the midpoint, baking spices and warm leather emerge as the Honduran filler asserts itself with quiet authority, introducing caramel sweetness and woody earthiness without ever overwhelming the smoke's fundamental elegance. The final third consolidates into concentrated toasted wood, dark honey, and espresso notes, finishing with a gentle nuttiness and controlled peppery conclusion that respects the smoker's palate rather than testing it.
Construction throughout is exemplary — the draw remains effortless and open, the burn line impressively even for a long-format cigar, and the ash holds with admirable integrity before releasing cleanly. Smoke production is generous yet cool, a hallmark of proper fermentation and aging. At $9–$13 per cigar, the No. 6 represents remarkable value for the Honduran tradition. It is, fundamentally, an honest cigar: built on three years of aged tobaccos, rolled with precision, and designed to be smoked rather than merely displayed. In an era of specification-obsessed aficionados, the Excalibur No. 6 quietly reminds us that restraint and consistency are themselves forms of distinction.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Honduran Connecticut Shade-grown — Colorado Claro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Honduran |
| Filler | Honduran and Nicaraguan long-fillers, aged a minimum of three years |
| Country of Origin | Danlí, Honduras — General Cigar / HATSA factory |
| Vitola / Shape | Lonsdale |
| Size | 6.5 x 44 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $9–$13 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged approximately 3 years prior to rolling; additional aging improves complexity notably |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The No. 6 opens with gentle cedar and toasted almond, layered with a pleasant grassy sweetness from the Connecticut-adjacent wrapper. A light creaminess dominates early, with faint hints of hay and mild white pepper on the retrohale.
Second Third
The midpoint deepens appreciably — cedar gives way to warm baking spices, mild leather, and a distinct caramel sweetness. Woody earthiness from the Honduran filler begins to assert itself without overwhelming the smoke's fundamental elegance.
Final Third
The final third tightens into a more concentrated expression of toasted wood, dark honey, and mild espresso. A gentle nuttiness returns and there's a light peppery finish, though the cigar remains controlled and never harsh even as it approaches the nub.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is typically excellent — the draw is open and effortless, the burn line remarkably even for a long-format cigar, and the ash holds firm for two inches or more before releasing cleanly. Smoke production is generous and cool throughout.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged rum is the quintessential match — specifically a 12-year Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva or Zacapa 23; alternatively a lightly peated single malt Scotch such as Glenlivet 18 complements the cedar and caramel notes beautifully
Wine
A medium-bodied Spanish Tempranillo — Rioja Reserva from López de Heredia or Muga — mirrors the cedar, leather, and subtle sweetness without overpowering this medium-strength smoke
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast Colombian pour-over or a Guatemalan single-origin drip coffee; the nutty, caramel notes in both the coffee and the cigar harmonize exceptionally well
Who Should Smoke This?
The Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 6 is ideal for smokers who value accessibility without sacrificing depth. Novices will find it forgiving and approachable — the medium strength and creamy opening present no intimidation, while the balanced progression teaches the palate without overwhelming it. Experienced aficionados often return to it precisely because it demands no theater: a 60–75 minute weekday reward, an honest afternoon companion, or a refined option at a casual gathering where complexity matters more than boldness. This is the cigar for the smoker who has graduated beyond 'strength as status' and recognizes that true sophistication lies in restraint.
Bottom Line
The Excalibur No. 6 is one of the premium cigar world's best-kept secrets — a masterclass in Honduran balance that builds its reputation on consistency, construction, and the kind of measured complexity that reveals itself only to patient smokers. At its price point and in its vitola, it remains nearly unmatched.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 6 a strong cigar?
No. The No. 6 is rated medium strength (3/5), making it approachable for a wide range of smokers. The strength builds gradually from the first light cedar and almond notes through the more pronounced spices and leather in the second third, but never ventures into aggressive territory.
What does the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 6 taste like?
The flavor profile evolves across three distinct stages: opening with gentle cedar, toasted almond, and creamy sweetness; deepening into baking spices, leather, and caramel in the midpoint; and finishing with concentrated toasted wood, dark honey, espresso, and mild nuttiness. The overall character is balanced, woody, and subtly sweet rather than bold or heavily spiced.
How long does the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 6 take to smoke?
Expect a 60–75 minute smoking session. The lonsdale vitola (6.5 x 44) and relaxed burn rate make this an ideal length for a focused afternoon or early evening smoke without an excessive time commitment.
What is the best pairing for the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 6?
Aged rum — specifically Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva or Zacapa 23 — is the quintessential match. Alternatively, a lightly peated single malt like Glenlivet 18 complements the cedar and caramel beautifully. For wine, a Spanish Tempranillo Rioja Reserva mirrors the cigar's cedar and leather notes without overpowering it. Coffee aficionados should pair it with a medium-roast Colombian or Guatemalan pour-over.
Is the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 6 good for beginners?
Yes, absolutely. The medium strength, creamy opening, and gentle progression make it an excellent teaching cigar for newer smokers. The balanced flavor profile and excellent construction reward attention without intimidating or overwhelming the palate.
Where can I buy the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 6?
The Excalibur No. 6 is widely available through authorized cigar retailers, both online and brick-and-mortar establishments. As a General Cigar product produced at scale, it enjoys broad distribution across North America.
What is the price of the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 6?
The No. 6 retails between $9–$13 per cigar depending on retailer and packaging, making it an exceptional value proposition for a hand-rolled Honduran lonsdale of this quality and consistency.
Is the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 6 worth aging?
Yes. While the tobaccos are aged approximately three years prior to rolling, additional aging in a proper humidor will increase complexity and refinement. The cigar benefits from patient cellaring, though it smokes excellently fresh.
What wrapper does the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 6 use?
A Honduran Connecticut Shade-grown wrapper in Colorado Claro color — a medium tawny brown with a subtle silky sheen. This wrapper provides the cigar's signature creaminess and gentle sweetness.
Where is the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. 6 made?
The No. 6 is hand-rolled at the HATSA (Honduran American Tobacco S.A.) factory in Danlí, Honduras, a facility owned by General Cigar. The Excalibur line was introduced in the 1970s as a premium sub-brand distinct from the Cuban-heritage Hoyo line.