BLACKENED Cigars M81 by Drew Estate
Descend into bold, powerhouse flavors with BLACKENED Cigars M81 by Drew Estate—a striking maduro masterpiece built for those who crave depth, darkness, and punch in every puff. Born from a collaboration between Drew Estate and Metallica’s passion for intensity, the M81 is an all-maduro creation featuring a Mexican San Andres wrapper, a meaty Connecticut River Valley Broadleaf binder, and a potent core of Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro fillers.
- Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro—thick, oily, delivers rich cocoa and earth
- Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro—adds meatiness and complexity
- Filler: Nicaraguan & Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro—including bold Pennsylvania Ligero for power and punch
- Profile: Medium-full to full body; deepest, darkest Maduro flavor profile
- Tasting Notes: Espresso, leather, dark chocolate, cocoa, with hints of molasses, peppery spice, and occasional wood undertones
- Strength: 8–9/10 for intensity (per reviewer consensus); not for the faint of heart
- Construction: Thick smoke, robust aroma, solid build—some touch-ups or relights may be needed
- Best for: Fans of bold Maduros, after-dinner smoke, Metallica enthusiasts, and those wanting big, dark flavors with massive smoke output
Reviewers describe BLACKENED M81 as a visually stunning stick exploding with flavor from first light to nub. Notes of espresso, dark chocolate, leather, creamy cocoa, and a peppery finish predominate; retrohaling delivers an even deeper pepper hit. While complexity of transitions is moderate, satisfaction and boldness are maximum, especially for fans who prefer their cigars like their coffee: strong and black. Occasional sweetness and robust smokiness linger throughout each draw, and smoke output borders on legendary—true to Drew Estate style.
Overall, the BLACKENED M81 is a box-worthy choice for maduro fans and those seeking a unique, unapologetically powerful cigar. Those sensitive to strong pepper or seeking nuanced transitions may look elsewhere, but for big flavor and bold character—this blend delivers on its promise.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Box Count | 20 |
| Origin | Nicaragua |
| Wrapper | Mexican San Andres Maduro |
| Binder | Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro |
| Filler | Nicaraguan & Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro |
| Body | Medium-Full to Full |
| Profile | Espresso, leather, dark chocolate, cocoa, molasses, pepper, wood, smoky |
| Note | Collaboration with Metallica; big smoke, bold flavor |
Summary
Box Count: 20
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Filler: Nicaraguan & Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro
Body: Medium-Full to Full
Profile: Potent, dark, rich, peppery, big smoke output
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the BLACKENED M81 unique?
All maduro blend—wrapper, binder, and fillers are maduro, resulting in maximum depth, darkness, and flavor. Created with Drew Estate and Metallica.
What are the dominant flavors?
Espresso, leather, dark chocolate, creamy cocoa, molasses, pepper—some sweet undertones, big smoke, and a strong finish.
Is it a strong cigar?
Definitely—rated 8.5/10 in strength by aficionados. Not recommended for mild smokers or the faint of heart.
Does this cigar have good construction?
Yes—expectedly robust and solid, producing huge amounts of smoke. May require touch-ups or a relight on occasion.
What’s the ideal occasion or pairing?
Perfect after dinner, paired with black coffee, dark spirits, or enjoyed as a bold centerpiece smoke for maduro lovers.
| Selection | Box – Corona 5 x 43, 5 Pack – Corona 5 x 43, Single – Corona 5 x 43, Box – Robusto 5 x 50, 5 Pack – Robusto 5 x 50, Single – Robusto 5 x 50, Box – Toro 6 x 52, 5 Pack – Toro 6 x 52, Single – Toro 6 x 52, Box – Corona Double 7 x 50, 5 Pack – Corona Double 7 x 50, Single – Corona Double 7 x 50 |
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Macho Camacho (verified owner) –
I am definitely not a Metallica fan. I think i listened to them occasionally in the early to mid 90’s, but that’s not my scene at all. However, I absolutely love this collaboration with Drew Estate. DE produces insanely good and super strong cigars. This release had a ton of anticipation and obviously, when a major rock band is involved, the hype is intense.
So, I waited and waited for this to hit the shelves and I finally had a chance to try a few this week. Holy smokes! This is a stunning cigar. Visually stunning, aroma is fantastic and once I lit this puppy, I was really happy with it.
This cigar is about an 8.5 on the 1-10 scale of weak to strong sticks. That is my sweet spot and I just love really strong cigars, like this one. The flavors are absolutely exceptional, the quality is top notch and I think this is box worthy.
Tip: Buy a five pack, instead of just a single cigar you want to try. Each cigar has different, subtle characteristics to it. If I am dying to try a cigar, I pick up 5 or so and see how I like them over the course of the smoking process.
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DC (verified owner) –
The Blackened M81 is a fantastic smoke for unwinding after a long day. It boasts a flawless burn, producing ample, smooth smoke with each draw. The flavor profile is bold and assertive, dominated by peppery spice notes. While the spice might be a bit much for some, I found it incredibly satisfying. It’s a great cigar to help you de-stress and appreciate the complex flavors.
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Ysofockup (verified owner) –
Give this a try if you like maduro. A relight was needed, but otherwise burned well. The cigar produced a multitude of flavors including leather, coffee and dark chocolate with hints of molasses and occasional bursts of intense spiciness. Retrohale was mild with some sweetness.
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brianjthorne (verified owner) –
Went to see Metallica on the M72 tour this year in NJ, and James was smoking a stogie while the band was playing Orion. Did a little investigating, and of course he was smoking this beauty! Full flavor, good construction, and plenty of smoke!
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mr.flores007 (verified owner) –
I was pleasantly surprised by these. With all maduro leaves the flavors were very bold. Got some espresso creamy cocoa and dark chocolate. I choose the corona vitola to get more of the intense flavors. Box worthy in my opinion
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Thiago A Ferreira (verified owner) –
Não vi muitos sabores e nem evolução. Charuto mediano para quem gosta da marca. Comprei para um amigo que gosta muito de metálica e até ele ficou um pouco decepcionado. Talvez um tempo de guarda melhore a percepção, mas prefiro ir pra outros blends da marca
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Justin White (verified owner) –
Not much flavor complexity here. Pepper and wood, and tons of smoke. I would bet money that this wrapper is treated to smoke the way it does, pretty typical of DE. I don’t think I’ll be going back to this one.
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chrisbard255 (verified owner) –
If you drink your coffee black then you will probably enjoy this cigar a lot. While not overly complex as far as flavor transitions go, the first light all the way down to the nub is very enjoyable. Strong coffee notes, not as sweet as I was expecting but just a slight hint of sweetness which gives it a fine finish. I highly recommend retrohaling if you can handle it if you enjoy some pepper in your cigars, just be sure you have tissues around because your eyes will most definitely water. Overall, it’s definitely worth trying.
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