diff --git a/lib/github_changelog_generator/generator/generator_tags.rb b/lib/github_changelog_generator/generator/generator_tags.rb
index db2579c..0966df1 100644
--- a/lib/github_changelog_generator/generator/generator_tags.rb
+++ b/lib/github_changelog_generator/generator/generator_tags.rb
@@ -131,16 +131,45 @@ module GitHubChangelogGenerator
     # @param [Array] all_tags all tags
     # @return [Array] filtered tags according :exclude_tags option
     def filter_excluded_tags(all_tags)
-      filtered_tags = all_tags
-      if @options[:exclude_tags]
-        @options[:exclude_tags].each do |tag|
-          unless all_tags.map(&:name).include? tag
-            Helper.log.warn "Warning: can't find tag #{tag}, specified with --exclude-tags option."
-          end
-        end
-        filtered_tags = all_tags.reject { |tag| @options[:exclude_tags].include? tag.name }
+      return all_tags unless @options[:exclude_tags]
+
+      apply_exclude_tags(all_tags)
+    end
+
+    private
+
+    def apply_exclude_tags(all_tags)
+      if @options[:exclude_tags].is_a?(Regexp)
+        filter_tags_with_regex(all_tags)
+      else
+        filter_exact_tags(all_tags)
+      end
+    end
+
+    def filter_tags_with_regex(all_tags)
+      warn_if_nonmatching_regex(all_tags)
+      all_tags.reject { |tag| @options[:exclude_tags] =~ tag.name }
+    end
+
+    def filter_exact_tags(all_tags)
+      @options[:exclude_tags].each do |tag|
+        warn_if_tag_not_found(all_tags, tag)
+      end
+      all_tags.reject { |tag| @options[:exclude_tags].include? tag.name }
+    end
+
+    def warn_if_nonmatching_regex(all_tags)
+      unless all_tags.map(&:name).any? { |t| @options[:exclude_tags] =~ t }
+        Helper.log.warn "Warning: unable to reject any tag, using regex "\
+                        "#{@options[:exclude_tags].inspect} in --exclude-tags "\
+                        "option."
+      end
+    end
+
+    def warn_if_tag_not_found(all_tags, tag)
+      unless all_tags.map(&:name).include? tag
+        Helper.log.warn "Warning: can't find tag #{tag}, specified with --exclude-tags option."
       end
-      filtered_tags
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/spec/spec_helper.rb b/spec/spec_helper.rb
index 5c4749d..bf88b97 100644
--- a/spec/spec_helper.rb
+++ b/spec/spec_helper.rb
@@ -31,91 +31,27 @@ SimpleCov.formatter = SimpleCov::Formatter::MultiFormatter[
 SimpleCov.start
 
 require "github_changelog_generator"
+require "github_changelog_generator/task"
 
-# This file was generated by the `rspec --init` command. Conventionally, all
-# specs live under a `spec` directory, which RSpec adds to the `$LOAD_PATH`.
-# The generated `.rspec` file contains `--require spec_helper` which will cause
-# this file to always be loaded, without a need to explicitly require it in any
-# files.
-#
-# Given that it is always loaded, you are encouraged to keep this file as
-# light-weight as possible. Requiring heavyweight dependencies from this file
-# will add to the boot time of your test suite on EVERY test run, even for an
-# individual file that may not need all of that loaded. Instead, consider making
-# a separate helper file that requires the additional dependencies and performs
-# the additional setup, and require it from the spec files that actually need
-# it.
-#
-# The `.rspec` file also contains a few flags that are not defaults but that
-# users commonly want.
-#
-# See http://rubydoc.info/gems/rspec-core/RSpec/Core/Configuration
 RSpec.configure do |config|
-  # rspec-expectations config goes here. You can use an alternate
-  # assertion/expectation library such as wrong or the stdlib/minitest
-  # assertions if you prefer.
   config.expect_with :rspec do |expectations|
-    # This option will default to `true` in RSpec 4. It makes the `description`
-    # and `failure_message` of custom matchers include text for helper methods
-    # defined using `chain`, e.g.:
-    #     be_bigger_than(2).and_smaller_than(4).description
-    #     # => "be bigger than 2 and smaller than 4"
-    # ...rather than:
-    #     # => "be bigger than 2"
     expectations.include_chain_clauses_in_custom_matcher_descriptions = true
   end
 
-  # rspec-mocks config goes here. You can use an alternate test double
-  # library (such as bogus or mocha) by changing the `mock_with` option here.
   config.mock_with :rspec do |mocks|
-    # Prevents you from mocking or stubbing a method that does not exist on
-    # a real object. This is generally recommended, and will default to
-    # `true` in RSpec 4.
     mocks.verify_partial_doubles = true
   end
 
-  # These two settings work together to allow you to limit a spec run
-  # to individual examples or groups you care about by tagging them with
-  # `:focus` metadata. When nothing is tagged with `:focus`, all examples
-  # get run.
   config.filter_run :focus
   config.run_all_when_everything_filtered = true
 
-  # Limits the available syntax to the non-monkey patched syntax that is
-  # recommended. For more details, see:
-  #   - http://myronmars.to/n/dev-blog/2012/06/rspecs-new-expectation-syntax
-  #   - http://teaisaweso.me/blog/2013/05/27/rspecs-new-message-expectation-syntax/
-  #   - http://myronmars.to/n/dev-blog/2014/05/notable-changes-in-rspec-3#new__config_option_to_disable_rspeccore_monkey_patching
-  # config.disable_monkey_patching!
-
-  # This setting enables warnings. It's recommended, but in some cases may
-  # be too noisy due to issues in dependencies.
   config.warnings = true
 
-  # Many RSpec users commonly either run the entire suite or an individual
-  # file, and it's useful to allow more verbose output when running an
-  # individual spec file.
   if config.files_to_run.one?
-    # Use the documentation formatter for detailed output,
-    # unless a formatter has already been configured
-    # (e.g. via a command-line flag).
     config.default_formatter = "doc"
   end
 
-  # Print the 10 slowest examples and example groups at the
-  # end of the spec run, to help surface which specs are running
-  # particularly slow.
-  # config.profile_examples = 10
-
-  # Run specs in random order to surface order dependencies. If you find an
-  # order dependency and want to debug it, you can fix the order by providing
-  # the seed, which is printed after each run.
-  #     --seed 1234
   config.order = :random
 
-  # Seed global randomization in this process using the `--seed` CLI option.
-  # Setting this allows you to use `--seed` to deterministically reproduce
-  # test failures related to randomization by passing the same `--seed` value
-  # as the one that triggered the failure.
   Kernel.srand config.seed
 end
diff --git a/spec/unit/generator/generator_tags_spec.rb b/spec/unit/generator/generator_tags_spec.rb
index 932e673..a2a3dff 100644
--- a/spec/unit/generator/generator_tags_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/unit/generator/generator_tags_spec.rb
@@ -87,6 +87,18 @@ describe GitHubChangelogGenerator::Generator do
       it { is_expected.to be_a Array }
       it { is_expected.to match_array(tags_mash_from_strings(%w(1 2 3))) }
     end
+
+    context "with regex exclude_tags" do
+      let(:generator) { GitHubChangelogGenerator::Generator.new(exclude_tags: /[23]/) }
+      it { is_expected.to be_a Array }
+      it { is_expected.to match_array(tags_mash_from_strings(%w(1))) }
+    end
+
+    context "with non-matching regex in exclude_tags" do
+      let(:generator) { GitHubChangelogGenerator::Generator.new(exclude_tags: /[abc]/) }
+      it { is_expected.to be_a Array }
+      it { is_expected.to match_array(tags_mash_from_strings(%w(1 2 3))) }
+    end
   end
 
   describe "#filter_since_tag" do