Video review HERE.
(Description provided by General Cigar)
Beginning in June, Excalibur Black will make its way to retailers across the U.S. The new, full-time collection complements the existing brand portfolio with a dimensional, layered blend that’s brimming with complexity.
Ed Lahmann, senior brand manager for Excalibur said, “Excalibur is a stalwart Honduran brand that continues to withstand the test of time and deliver on its promise of an exceptional smoking experience. With Excalibur Black, we are beginning the next chapter of the brand’s 40 year legacy with a feisty, fuller-bodied offering. Excalibur Black rounds out the core line with a masterpiece blend that’s as rich and satisfying as it is approachable. We’re expecting that ‘Black’ will expand Excalibur’s devoted fan base with a new generation of cigar lovers.”
Cloaked in a dark and lustrous USA Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper that lends sweet and savory notes, Excalibur Black is crafted by artisans at the famed HATSA factory in Danli, Honduras. There, they blended an Ecuadoran Sumatra binder with an exceptional combination of spicy Honduran and Nicaraguan ligero tobaccos to deliver a cigar with intriguing notes of molasses, raisins, semi-sweet chocolate and chili powder.
Vitolas:
Robusto (5 x 50); SRP per cigar $8.49
Toro (6 x 52); SRP per cigar $8.69 REVIEWED TODAY
No. 1 (7.25 x 54); SRP per cigar $8.99
The cigar is very dark, almost black. The black in the band makes the cigar look even darker. The cigar has an average feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were a little odd; chocolate, citrus peel, raisin, and black coffee. That flavor combination is a little odd to me. There was black pepper rated at 7 to 7 1/2. A different sort of start.
At the first third (29 minutes) the cigar is quite sweet but the individual sweet notes are odd when grouped together. I had chocolate, citrus peel, light raisin, honey, and a very earthy black coffee. If you can imagine those flavors in your mind you might agree the outcome is a bit odd. The finish is citrus peel and raisin with a little honey and pretty good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium to full bodied. These flavors in this combination are not overly appealing to me. The cigar is quite sweet but it has a unique set of flavors. I rated the first third 88.
Moving through the second third (1 hour 6 minutes) the cigar is moving in a different direction. I now had chocolate, cocoa, light citrus peel, and earthy black coffee. The cigar doesn't have a lot of sweetness at this point and it's quite earthy. The cigar is now full bodied. The finish is dark chocolate, a little citrus peel, and pretty good lingering black pepper. The flavors aren't working for me. I rated the second third 85.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 23 minutes. The cigar kept going dark; dark chocolate, light sweet notes of honey, and earthy black coffee. The black pepper is still very good on the front end and the finish, which is unchanged. This cigar perplexes me. I did not find it appealing. I'm sure some will like it. But it's not for me. I rated the final third 82.
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