Stogie Reviews: Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur Legend Challenger

At the 2008 IPCPR cigar trade show, General Cigars released a host of new lines. Overshadowed by the higher profile releases of the Cohiba Puro Domincana, Macanudo 1968, and La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Miami, the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur Legend was released to be a newer, bolder Hoyo.

The Excalibur Legend features the same Connecticut grown Havana wrapper that is featured on the Hoyo de Monterrey Dark Knight. The filler features Nicaraguan tobacco from both the mainland and the same volcanic island of Ometepe (the same as is used in the Macanudo 1968), blended with ligero tobacco from the Dominican Republic.

The wrapper is shiny and oily with some prominent veins and a lush Colorado brown color. Prelight earth and hints of pepper are apparent from the firm cigar. The band looks similar to the original Hoyo de Monterray Excalibur line, but with a regal red color below the gold band.

Once lit, I found a medium- to full-bodied cigar with cool smoke. It had a charred meaty flavor with black pepper initially, then evolved to earth and paper while the pepper still persisted. A slight bitter aftertaste comes and goes throughout.

The construction on this five and 1/4 inch by 50 ring gauge robusto was impressive. The draw was deliberate and firm, but not difficult. The burn was even, with a shiny black line leading the way for a sturdy ash.

For around $7 per stick, this cigar has impressive qualities, even if it’s a bit on the pricey side. While not overly complex, it fulfills its goal of recreating the Hoyo Excalibur with a slightly fuller flavor. The paper flavor is particularly reminiscent of the original Excalibur line.

In the end, the Hoyo de Monterrey Excalibur Legend Challenger earns three and 1/2 out of five stogies.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys