How y’all doing, you crazy people! I’m back today with something I’ve been absolutely looking forward to reviewing – the Drew Estate Blackened M81. If you’re anything of a Metallica fan, you know exactly who worked on this masterpiece: James Hetfield, Jonathan Drew, and Robert Dietrich. That’s right, we’re talking about a collaboration between one of metal’s greatest frontmen and one of the cigar world’s most innovative companies.

For those keeping track of Metallica history, the M81 stands for Metallica 1981 – the year the band formed. As someone who graduated in ’88, this hits right in my wheelhouse, and I couldn’t be more excited to dive into this San Andreas Maduro beauty.

The Blackened Story: More Than Just a Cigar

Before we get into the smoke itself, let’s appreciate what we’re dealing with here. This isn’t just some celebrity endorsement slapped onto an existing blend. The Blackened M81 represents a genuine collaboration between James Hetfield of Metallica and the Drew Estate team, creating something that embodies the heavy, complex nature of both great metal and great cigars.

The connection doesn’t stop with the cigar either – there’s also Blackened bourbon that pairs with this experience, though at around $50 a bottle, it’s positioned as a premium companion piece. The whole concept brings together cigars, bourbon, and metal music in a way that just makes sense for fans of all three.

Construction and First Impressions

The Drew Estate Blackened M81 comes as a toro wrapped in gorgeous San Andreas Maduro throughout, with Ligero in the filler. Now don’t get scared by that Ligero mention – we’ll talk about how this plays out in terms of strength as we go through the review.

Right off the bat, this cigar feels substantial. It’s got that heavy feel in your hand that gives you a “heavy metal feel” right in the mouth. The construction is solid, the draw is perfect, and you can tell immediately that Drew Estate brought their A-game to this collaboration.

At around $9 from most retailers, the M81 sits in that sweet spot where it’s accessible enough for regular enjoyment but premium enough that you know you’re getting quality tobacco and craftsmanship.

First Third: Setting the Heavy Metal Tone

The moment you light up the Blackened M81, you’re greeted with flavors that live up to the “Maduro to the core” promise printed right on the band. The dominant note right off the bat is rich chocolate – that bitter, semi-sweet chocolate taste that Maduro wrappers do so well.

But here’s where it gets interesting, and I’ll admit this caught me off guard: I’m getting a distinct marshmallow sweetness underlying everything else. Now, I’ve noticed this same note in a few other cigars I’ve reviewed – the Fuente Between the Lines and an Everyday Cigar Day barber pole – so there might be something about certain tobaccos that gives me this particular taste profile.

The woodiness is prominent throughout this first third, creating a solid foundation for the other flavors to build on. Despite having Ligero in the blend, this starts off surprisingly approachable – I’d call it mild to medium right out of the gate, which pleasantly surprised me as someone who typically sticks to milder cigars.

Performance Notes: Drew Estate Quality Shines Through

From a technical standpoint, the Blackened M81 performs flawlessly. The burn is even and consistent, requiring no touch-ups whatsoever. The ash develops into a nice, clean white color and holds well. Even with the wind trying to mess with my outdoor smoking session, this cigar maintained perfect combustion throughout.

The smoke volume is generous without being overwhelming, and that “heavy metal feel” I mentioned really does coat your palate in a way that feels substantial and satisfying.

Second Third: Building the Complexity

About halfway through, the M81 starts to show its true character development. The strength picks up to a solid medium level – still nowhere near the powerhouse I was expecting from a cigar with Ligero in the blend, but definitely more present than the opening third.

That marshmallow sweetness continues to intrigue me. If anyone else has picked up this particular note in the Blackened M81, I’d love to hear about it in the comments. It’s such a unique characteristic that adds an unexpected dimension to what could have been a straightforward Maduro profile.

The chocolate and cocoa notes remain prominent, supported by the ongoing woodiness. Around this point, some leather notes start to emerge, adding another layer to the complexity. The whole experience feels well-blended and intentional – this isn’t just throwing strong tobaccos together and hoping for the best.

Final Third: The Heavy Metal Finale

As we move into the final third, the Blackened M81 ramps up slightly in strength, though it never reaches what I’d call “super massive powerful” territory. This is where the cigar earns its “full flavor” designation – you’re getting complexity and intensity without the overwhelming nicotine hit that can knock you on your back.

The woodiness transitions more toward leather, and I start picking up some coffee notes with a noticeable bitter edge. It’s not unpleasant, but there’s definitely a bitterness that hits your tongue and makes its presence known. The marshmallow sweetness that characterized the earlier portions fades away completely, leaving room for these more intense, darker flavors.

The “coating” sensation I mentioned earlier becomes even more pronounced in this section. It’s like the cigar blackens your palate – which seems fitting given the name. Everything hits you with that full, heavy presence, then settles into this coating of flavor that lingers between puffs.

Strength Assessment: Approachable Heavy Metal

Here’s the thing that really impressed me about the Blackened M81 – despite all the heavy metal branding and the Ligero in the blend, this remains a medium-strength cigar throughout. When I first heard about this collaboration, I was worried it would be one of those cigars that tries to live up to the “heavy metal” name by being overwhelmingly strong.

Instead, Drew Estate and James Hetfield created something that captures the essence of heavy metal through flavor complexity and that distinctive palate-coating character, rather than just trying to knock you down with nicotine. As someone who typically smokes mild to medium cigars, I found this perfectly in my wheelhouse.

The Metallica Connection: More Than Marketing

What I appreciate about the Blackened M81 is that it feels like a genuine collaboration rather than just slapping a band’s name on an existing product. The heavy, complex character really does mirror what makes great metal music – it’s got depth, it’s got presence, and it builds to powerful crescendos without losing you along the way.

The attention to detail extends beyond just the blend. Even the packaging reinforces the theme, though I’ll admit I was hoping for a ceramic ashtray instead of the plastic one that comes with some versions. Still, with the hollow back, it’ll hang nicely on the wall as a conversation piece.

Value Proposition: Accessible Premium Experience

At around $9 per cigar, the Blackened M81 represents solid value in today’s premium cigar market. You’re getting Drew Estate’s renowned construction quality, a genuinely unique flavor profile, and the novelty of the Metallica collaboration without breaking the bank.

This price point makes it accessible enough to smoke regularly if you’re a fan, while still feeling special enough for occasions when you want something with a story behind it.

Final Verdict: A Successful Heavy Metal Experience

The Drew Estate Blackened M81 succeeds on multiple levels. It delivers the complexity and character you’d expect from a premium collaboration, maintains excellent construction throughout, and creates a genuinely unique smoking experience without relying on gimmicks.

The flavor progression from chocolate and marshmallow sweetness through leather and coffee bitterness creates a satisfying journey that keeps you engaged. The medium strength makes it accessible to a wide range of smokers, while the full flavor ensures you’re getting a complete experience.

Whether you’re a Metallica fan, a Drew Estate enthusiast, or just someone looking for a well-crafted Maduro with character, the M81 delivers on its promises.

Ready to rock out with the Blackened M81? You can grab these cigars through our affiliate link at Cigar Page, where they’re available for around $9 each – supporting our site while you explore this heavy metal smoking experience.

Have you tried the Blackened M81 or other music-inspired cigars? Did you pick up that marshmallow sweetness I keep mentioning, or did your palate experience something completely different? Let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear how this collaboration worked for your taste buds.

Until next time, keep smoking!