Unveiled during Drew Estate’s “Freestyle Live: Special Edition” broadcast on Sept. 28, and then sampled at the Kentucky Barn Smoker and Drew Estate Presents—Savage Feast, BLACKENED Cigars “M81” by Drew Estate is now shipping to participating Drew Diplomat Program members in the United States.
James Hetfield of Metallica states:
“BLACKENED Cigars ‘M81’ by Drew Estate is a dark, bold and unapologetic collaboration into what Rob, Jonathan and I believe is the perfect full-bodied cigar.”
Maduro-Maduro-Maduro!!
BLACKENED Cigars “M81” by Drew Estate journeys the world of Drew Estate’s beloved Maduro leaves, starting with a thick and oily Maduro wrapper that’s grown in the rich volcanic soil of Mexico’s San Andres Valley, a thick and meaty Connecticut River Valley Broadleaf Maduro binder and a filler blend of Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro tobaccos, including Drew Estate’s boldest Pennsylvania Broadleaf ligero.
Rob Dietrich – Master Distiller and Blender of BLACKENED American Whiskey stated:
“I am stoked to present BLACKENED Cigars ‘M81’ by Drew Estate to the world. It is a heavy leaf cigar that’s all about the taste and the blend. Maduro to the core, BLACKENED ‘M81’ is rich and powerful with alluring notes of espresso, leather and dark chocolate, that will satisfy the most experienced cigar smokers, but it is beautifully balanced so newer cigar smokers can enjoy it too.”
Presented in beautiful copper-accented black 20-count boxes, BLACKENED Cigars “M81” by Drew Estate debuts in four sizes exclusively available to Drew Diplomat Program participants:
- Robusto (5 x 50) – MSRP $189/box or $9.45/cigar
- Toro (6 x 52) – MSRP $197/box or $9.85/cigar
- Corona Doble (7 x 50) – MSRP $207/box or $10.35/cigar
- Corona (5 x 43) – MSRP $183/box or $9.15/cigar
Jonathan Drew Exclaimed:
“The worldwide release of BLACKENED Cigars ‘M81’ by Drew Estate with Metallica and BLACKENED American Whiskey straight shocked the system of the entire cigar world.
It was like every cigar hotline in North America was blaring red alert as the good people rejoiced with us to celebrate this piece of heavy metal and heavy leaf history. My good homie Rob Dietrich was the connector between Hetfield and myself … after that the energy just went crazy across all teams, mediums and platforms!!!”
About Rob Dietrich
Rob Dietrich is the Master Distiller and Blender of BLACKENED American Whiskey, and the former Master Distiller for Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey. Dietrich has more than 15 years in the industry and is well-regarded for his unique limited-release, cask finish expressions such as Snowflake, Sherry Cask and more recently, the Masters of Whiskey series. Dietrich is responsible for every aspect of production and is committed to not only maintaining the original recipe of BLACKENED, using artisanal methods and a handcrafted approach, but is also dedicated to creating contemporary and unique world-class whiskey. Dietrich initially learned the art and science of distilling from legendary distiller Jess Graber whom he proudly calls his mentor. His passion for music was honed throughout 10 years spent in the music business, beginning with working with Bill Graham Presents, and also as a freelance agent for a variety of venues like Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater and The Fillmore in San Francisco and Denver, as well as producing and managing many tours and festivals. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division and served from 1992 to 1995. His two tours in Somalia, as well as relief operations in Haiti, helped shape his life-affirming philosophy.
About Sweet Amber Distilling Co.
Established in 2018, Sweet Amber Distilling Co. is a producer of hand-crafted spirits. Helmed by Co-Founder and CEO John Bilello, Sweet Amber launched with the creation of BLACKENED American Whiskey—a masterful collaboration between late whiskey luminary Dave Pickerell and rock icons Metallica, which is now available in all 50 states and parts of Canada, with plans to expand rapidly. Sweet Amber is a nimble, dynamic organization that is completely virtual, allowing a greater flexibility, efficiency, and geographic coverage across the U.S. with depth of experience in the spirits and music industries.
About Metallica
Formed in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield, Metallica has become one of the most influential and successful rock bands in history, having sold nearly 120 million albums worldwide and generating more than 15 billion streams while playing to millions of fans on all seven continents. The band’s several multi-platinum studio albums include Kill ‘Em All, Ride The Lightning, Master of Puppets, … And Justice for All, Metallica (commonly referred to as The Black Album), Load, Re- Load, St. Anger, Death Magnetic, and most recently Hardwired…to Self-Destruct, released in November 2016 and charting at #1 in 32 countries. Metallica’s awards and accolades include nine Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards and a 2009 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In June of 2018, the band was awarded one of the most prestigious musical honors in the world: Sweden’s Polar Music Prize.
About Drew Estate
Founded in 1996 in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, Drew Estate has singlehandedly defined modern day cigar culture through a hard-hitting, authentic, bottom-up approach to lifestyle branding and culture building. Our mission and manifesto is “The Rebirth of Cigars,” which we amplify through our uncanny authenticity, high energy and through deeply-loved brands produced from La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate in Estelí, Nicaragua, such as: ACID, 20 Acre Farm, Deadwood, Factory Smokes, Herrera Estelí, Isla del Sol, Kentucky Fire Cured, Liga Privada, Nica Rustica, Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars, Tabak Especial and Undercrown; and the celebrated Barn Smoker, Cigar Safari and Freestyle Live experiential events. Learn more about our story and our brands by visiting Drew Estate.