This is pretty interesting. Back when I first started smoking cigars in the ’90s one of the cigars I bought and kept around for special occasions was the Excalibur No. 1. This was a pricey cigar for me at the time at around $5, but I liked keeping a few around. It was, and is, a pretty large cigar, the same size as this new release, 7¼” x 54, which was a very large ring cigar for the time. I eventually progressed to the Excalibur Maduro. Any time Dion has his hand in a cigar, one can expect it’s going to be good, so I hope I get to try this, even if it’s four times the price of the Excaliburs I remember!
Excalibur will roll out its first collaboration next month with The Illusione of Excalibur, a limited-edition blend that marks the first Excalibur to be made in Nicaragua.
The Illusione of Excalibur was blended by Dion Giolito and STG’s Justin Andrews. The new expression harnesses aged Nicaraguan tobaccos to deliver a rich and layered smoking experience befitting of both Excalibur and Illusione.
Justin commented, “Dion Giolito and Illusione’s success in the premium cigar category has been driven by his rigorous standards for tobacco and his ability to create cigars that wow the market. So when it came to developing a blend for Excalibur, Dion was our hands-down first choice. I’m very proud of how this project came together. My only regret is that we couldn’t make this a full-time launch.”
Dion Giolito said, ““When GCC asked me to do a collaboration and offered up Excalibur, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. In college, the Excalibur #1 Maduro was my go-to when I could afford them on a college budget. My buddy George and I would enjoy them after class or band practice. They were a real treat back then, and they still are to this day. For my part, I wanted to make a cigar in the spirit of Excalibur with a bold character and packaging that pays homage to the brand’s origins. I believe this blend really hits the mark.”
Handcrafted at the TABSA factory in Nicaragua, the Illusione by Excalibur is a puro featuring a Nicaraguan Corojo 1999 wrapper from Jalapa, a 2012 Nicaraguan Corojo binder from Jalapa and a blend of Criollo and Corojo tobaccos from 1998, 1999 and 2006 grown in Esteli. The result is a smoking experience that is chewy and rich, producing notes of Christmas spices, leather and espresso in a refined, medium-plus profile.
The Illusione of Excalibur will be released in just one size, chosen by Dion and Justin to best represent the aged tobaccos of its blend.
In a nod to the legendary sword of King Arthur that inspired its name, Excalibur Illusione will be presented in royal blue lacquered boxes with gold detailing, each containing ten cigars. The cigars will be available for purchase starting on July 4. A total of 4,960 boxes will be released.
No 1. (7.25” x 54); SRP per cigar $19.99
About Excalibur Cigars
Excalibur cigars are produced by General Cigar Co. Inc., which manufactures and markets handcrafted cigars for the premium market. Committed to delivering cigars of the finest quality, General Cigar also produces Macanudo®, Cohiba®, Partagas® Hoyo de Monterrey®, Excalibur®, La Gloria Cubana® and several other leading premium brands. In addition, the company grows its own premium Connecticut Shade wrapper tobacco, as well as natural and candela wrapper in the Dominican Republic. General Cigar also operates Club Macanudo®, a cigar bar in New York City. Based in Richmond, VA, General Cigar sells through tobacconists nationwide. For more information, please visit www.cigarworld.com.
