Drew Estate Cigars Blackened Cigars M81

Blackened Cigars “M81” By Drew Estate Corona

Cigar Aficionado · Jan 1, 2024

Collaborations are common in the cigar industry, but three-way collaborations between a cigar company, whiskey distiller and heavy-metal frontman are quite rare. In fact, we only know of one—Blackened Cigars “M81” by Drew Estate. Two out of the three collaborators are clearly noted in the name: Blackened American Whiskey and cigarmaker Drew Estate in Nicaragua. The third player is James Hetfield, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the metal mega-band Metallica (M81 refers to the year the band was formed). If there is a cigar equivalent to Metallica’s head-banging guitar riffs, this is it. Loaded with strong, dark broadleaf from both Pennsylvania and Connecticut, this amped-up blend rocked our tasting panel as it unleashed an electrically spicy smoke with heavy notes of chocolate and earth. In its subtler moments, there’s an assortment of saffron, nutmeg, cinnamon and bready notes of brioche—kind of like an acoustic guitar solo in the middle of a metal set. Ideally, one should light up this cigar while sipping Blackened Whiskey and listening to Metallica’s iconic Black Album. Of course, that’s only a suggestion. Fans of strong smokes will revel in Blackened’s power either way. The fact that it’s all packed into a small corona makes it reverberate that much louder.

Miscellaneous · 5.00″ × 43 · Medium-Full · Nicaragua

Blackened M81 by Drew Estate

Cigar Snob · Jan 9, 2024

When regular folks get together to enjoy whiskey and cigars, they fantasize about launching their own brand. But when Metallica’s James Hetfield and Blackened Whiskey’s master distiller Rob Dietrich did it, they partner with Drew Estate to produce a flavorful and balanced maduro that took the #15 spot.

Toro · 6.00″ × 52 · Nicaragua

Drew Estate Blackened M81 Toro

Stogie Press · Dec 20, 2022

During September 29th’s “Freestyle Live: Special Edition” broadcast, Drew Estate, joined by James Hetfield of Metallica and Rob Dietrich of BLACKENED American Whiskey, revealed the mystery cigar contained within the company’s latest Freestyle Live Event Packs … the all-new BLACKENED Cigars “M81” by Drew Estate, an exploration into the deepest, darkest and heaviest depths of the mystical Maduro leaf. BLACKENED Read more about Cigar Review: Drew Estate Blackened M81 Toro – Rated 92[…]

Toro · 5.00″ × 50

Drew Estate Blackened Cigars M81 Toro

Cigar Journal · Mar 12, 2024 · Cigar Journal’s Best Buy Cigars Of The Year 2023

Toro · 6.00″ × 52 · NIC.

Blackened M81 Toro by Drew Estate

Cigar Coop · Jun 10, 2023

In 2022, Drew Estate announced a three-way collaboration project that was done between Metallica’s James Hetfield, Distiller Rob Dietrich of Sweet Amber Distilling, and Jonathan Drew known as Blackened M81. Blackened is the name of a whiskey collaboration of Metallica and Dietrich and Dietrich and Drew have been friends for a while. It was Dietrich […] Key flavors: Mocha (Coffee, Chocolate), Earth, Cedar, Fruit, Pepper.

Corona · 5.00″ × 43 · Medium (1st 2/3), Medium to Full · Nicaragua

Blackened M81 by Drew Estate

Simply Stogies · Feb 17, 2023

What do you get when a famous rock star, a big name in cigars, and a master distiller get together and collaborate on a new cigar? We will see! I’m a big fan of James Hetfield and Metallica, a big fan of Jonathan Drew and Drew Estate, and a big fan of Rob Dietrich (not...

Corona · 5.00″ × 43 · Full · Nicaragua

Drew Estate Blackened M81

Kaplowitz · Jan 12, 2026

Dark Chocolate | Black Pepper | Scorched oak The scorched oak's sorta damp. So is the draw, a tick. A meaty body doesn't quite hold up to taste and only thinly-just-so to strength. Back-end is a hatchback, not a sedan's trunk. Clean though, with only a scant hint of burnt hair which is at the longest fleeting. Oily black coffee pours into second-half after a slight trickle first-half. French Press, tres nice. Lifts meatiness and also sinks into topsoil bottomneath; killer note. Rye sour mash. Bu

Toro · 6.00″ × 52 · Medium/Medium-full · Nicaraguan

Blackened by Drew Estate M81 Robusto

Developing Palates · Apr 3, 2023 · November 2022

Celebrity backed brands like this are rarely something that I get excited about. Most of the time, the celebrity doesn't know a damn thing about what a good cigar/product at hand is. I can confidently say that the Blackened by Drew Estate M81 Robusto isn't in that scenario at all. Deliciously bold with earthiness, yet balanced with softer flavors. Nicely done.

Robusto · 5.00″ × 50 · Nicaragua