Drew Estate Brings Blackened Brand And Others To International Markets
Drew Estate is expanding the reach of several of its cigars, including the highly rated Blackened Cigars “M81 Maduro,” made in conjunction with James Hetfield of the heavy metal band Metallica and Blackened American Whiskey distiller Rob Dietrich.
Both varieties of Blackened cigars were launched last week at the Intertabac trade show in Germany. The original, maduro version went on sale in the United States in November 2022, and the entire line scored 90 points or higher in a vertical brand tasting published in Cigar Insider. The corona size is the current No. 7 Cigar of the Year in Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25, with a 95-point-score.
This year, the line was expanded with a milder version called Blackened “S84 Shade To Black” by Drew Estate, which began shipping in the United States in May.
“These expressions are more than just cigars for us,” says Hetfield, a regular cigar smoker who is known to puff on stage. “It is a celebration of passion and a tribute to the craftsmen who strive for excellence in their lives.”
The move makes sense for a host of reasons, including the international reach of Metallica. The band has played on every continent (including Antarctica) and is presently in the midst of a world tour; they’re playing in Mexico City this weekend.
In addition to bringing the Blackened cigars to global markets, Drew Estate also launched the Liga Privada Unico Series Papas Bravas internationally. This smoke is cloaked in dark Connecticut broadleaf, with Brazilian Mata Fina as binder and a mix of Honduran and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. It comes in two sizes—a robusto and toro—and is made exclusively for sale outside the United States.
Drew Estate also brought out the Undercrown 10 Flying Pig, another international exclusive, to mark 10 years of its Undercrown brand. The cigar is made with Mexican San Andrés Negro wrapper, Connecticut broadleaf binder and a blend of Brazilian Mata Fina and Nicaraguan fillers. The cigars are short and pudgy, just shy of four inches long (3 15/16 inches) with a portly 60 ring gauge in a perfecto shape.
Prices for these cigars will vary based upon the country where they are sold.
