Hoyo de Monterrey · Excalibur
New WorldEverydayHoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I
The flagship of the non-Cuban Excalibur line — a 7.25 x 54 Honduran Churchill, smooth, creamy and widely rated as one of the great Hondurans.
The short answer
The Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I is a balanced, medium-bodied smoke — a Honduras churchill with a Connecticut Shade wrapper. Expect cedar, cream, and nuts.
The verdict
The Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I is a balanced, medium-bodied smoke from Hoyo de Monterrey's Excalibur line. It's a Honduras (New World) churchill wrapped in Connecticut Shade at 7.25 in × 54.
On the palate, expect cedar, cream, and nuts, leaning earthy. Plan on roughly 85 minutes from light to nub.
It pairs naturally with coffee, bourbon, and aged rum. If you're newer to cigars, this is a safe, enjoyable pick.
This is the non-Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey: the Excalibur No. I, the flagship of General Cigar's Honduran Excalibur line. A big Churchill at 7.25 x 54, it's draped in a golden Connecticut Shade wrapper and built from a blend of aged Honduran, Nicaraguan, and Dominican tobaccos. It's long been a critical favorite among Honduran cigars.
What it tastes like
Excalibur is all about smooth, polished medium-bodied flavor: creamy cedar, nuts, coffee, and a little earth and spice, finishing long and refined. The cedar-aged tobacco gives it a rounded, easygoing character that makes the big format feel effortless across an hour-plus smoke.
Who it's for
A superb everyday cigar and a great entry point to premium Hondurans — approachable, consistent, and forgiving. Because this is the Honduran Hoyo, don't confuse it with the Cuban brand; the Cuban vs Nicaraguan comparison helps frame the different regional styles. The Natural here uses a Connecticut Shade wrapper, while a Maduro version uses Connecticut Broadleaf — see Maduro vs Connecticut.
Keep your Excaliburs humidified and log the sizes you like in the Casa DNC app.
Curious how it stacks up? See Maduro vs Connecticut wrappers.
Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I — frequently asked
- Is the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I a good cigar for beginners?
- It's a good next step. Medium-bodied cigars are fine once you've enjoyed a few milder ones and want more flavor and depth.
- How strong is the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I?
- The Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I is Medium-bodied. Strength is about body and nicotine rather than flavor, so eat something first and take it slow if you're sensitive.
- What does the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I taste like?
- Expect cedar, cream, and nuts, leaning earthy. Tasting notes are a guide — your palate may pick up more or less.
- What pairs well with the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I?
- It pairs well with coffee, bourbon, and aged rum. As a rule, match the drink's intensity to the cigar's medium body.
- How long does it take to smoke the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I?
- Plan on about 85 minutes for the churchill — longer if you smoke slowly, which keeps it cool and tasting its best.
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Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I head-to-head
See how Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur No. I stacks up against similar cigars — strength, flavor, and ratings.