Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur. 7.25x54. Good build, though the cap unraveled slightly. Wrap smooth, color is light cocoa brown with dark vein and spots. Cut was poor, perhaps due to storage. Light was fine. Burn was easy even burn down to the band. Ash was mostly clean, evenly marbled, and held nearly two inches. Aroma was a bit harsh-burnt in the first third, but the flavor was a nice medium strength leaf that was consistent through the first half, ending in a slightly more pepper-bitter finish.
The Excalibur is not to be confused with Hoyo's superior Excalibur 1066. I've had both smokes before, and I recall this being much better. I still consider this a worthy stick, though I'd like to try it again, after ideal storage. Recommended.
From the company:
"This superb example of Honduran craftsmanship combines a lustrous golden Connecticut Shade wrapper with a robust binder and filler, creating a cigar with a long finish and creamy aroma. It's so good that Robb Report and Cigar Aficionado were all but federally required to praise it in terms usually reserved for works of art. Cigar Cyclopedia also gave the collection an "A" rating. Those looking for even more richness and power in their cigar can choose a dark Maduro wrapper. An extremely well constructed medium to full bodied cigar, Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur is a superb example of Honduran craftsmanship. Lighter in color than a Cuban cigar as a result of its fine Connecticut Shade wrapper, this cedar-aged cigar is made with a rich Honduran blend that is very much in the Cuban tradition. This cigar—aged in cedar—is medium-bodied and complex, with the sort of unmatched staying power that makes the Excalibur a favorite of golfers who want a flavorful experience for all 18 holes. Tenured smokers favor the Excalibur’s complexity."
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