Blackened Cigars M81 by Drew Estate is a collaboration project that brought three cigar enthusiasts together: Jonathan Drew, Founder and President of Drew Estate; James Hetfield, co-founder, singer, and guitarist of Metallica; and Rob Dietrich, Master Distiller and Blender of BLACKENED American Whiskey.
Blendwise, it uses a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, over a US Connecticut Broadleaf binder and fillers from Nicaragua and Pennsylvania Broadleaf. The line consists of four sizes, including the Toro, and they are sold in 20-ct boxes. The cigars are produced at the Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Estelí, Nicaragua.
The cigars are dressed in a toothy Maduro colored wrapper that is rustic to the touch. Construction and filling are good.
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Size: 52 x 152 mm (6″)
- Wrapper: Mexico
- Binder: USA
- Filler: Nicaragua, USA
- Price: $10.5 | € n/a
Blackened Cigars M81 Toro: the cold draw brings aromas of leather and spices to the palate. Once lit, notes of cocoa, earth, and black pepper are revealed.
Further into the first third, notes of leather and nuts are added next to the cocoa, earth and black pepper. The strength is a solid medium (3/5).
In the second third, balsamic herbal notes appear, and a light sweetness can be perceived in the background. Strength remains unchanged.
The flavor profile is confirmed in the last third, while the strength increases to a medium-full level (4/5).
Overall, the Blackened Cigars M81 Toro is a bold and flavorful cigar while still managing to balance the relation between the flavors and strength well. The dark flavor profile reflects the slogan “Maduro to the Core” well. A satisfying smoke.