Cigar Geeks - Drew Estate Blackened M81 Corona

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Drew Estate Blackened M81 Corona
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Neal (ntanner)

94
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique generously sponsored by our member 05Venturer (Kent). The cigar provided for this round is the Drew Estate Blackened M81 Corona.

Blackened M81 Cigars by Drew Estate are the product of three passionate smokers combining forces creating a specialized and memorable blend. What makes Blackened so special is that every leaf in it is a Maduro. From filler to wrapper, it's Maduro all the way down!

Blackened M81 creation began with a friendship. That between James Hetfield, lead singer of Metallica, and Rob Dietrich, the master distiller behind BLACKENED American Whiskey. The two often smoke cigars together and discussed what they'd like to see in a good smoke. Turning to Jonathan Drew, the trio began to develop Blackened M81. Using impressively bold Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro tobacco for its filler. Held together by a livewire Connecticut River Valley Broadleaf Maduro binder. It's finished with an oily and decadent Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper. Ideal for those with bold palates.

Drew Estate Blackened M81 Corona

Brand:: Drew Estate
Name:: Blackened M81 Corona
Length:: 5
Ring Gauge:: 43
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Nicaragua
Pennsylvania
Binder:: Connecticut Broadleaf
Wrapper:: Mexico
Color:: Maduro
Strength:: Medium-Full
Shape:: Petit Corona
Notes:: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/enter-cigar-man-metallica-s-james-hetfield-and-drew-estate-create-blackened-cigar

This cigar was enjoyed with Coffee.

Pre-Light: 9 Points of 10 Possible

First impressions upon relieving the cigar of it's cellophane, foot band is nice looking and I like the texture surrounding the Drew Estate mark. The band itself is on the other hand just strange and unnecessary in my opinion, it's all skinny and is just going to provide an obstacle that will be difficult to remove as the burn approaches. Enough of my deep thoughts concerning band placement and size and it's relevance to world peace.

The cigar has a nice dark wrapper that appears dry but looks fairly thick making the seem line easy to see but it's a maduro wrapper so that's to be expected. It feels solid and the cap is well applied. It takes a punch well and the draw has just the right amount of resistance. The cannon itself is solid and the cigar has a nice heft for it's size.

Lighting and Burn: 15 Points of 15 Possible

The burn was about as good as it gets, no wandering, no fingers, slow and straight producing a solid medium gray ash that held to an inch and a half before I knocked it off the first time and it left a well centered glowing cone when it dropped. Overall it took me a hour and twelve minutes from fire to finish and smoke production was well above average producing plenty with each draw.

Construction: 29 Points of 30 Possible

The wrapper was a nice looking leaf, thick with a nice texture and only a couple small vein lines. It gives off a strong earthy tobacco aroma that takes me back to the 80's when I first ventured into the world of cigars.

The cap is well applied and takes a punch well but it does show the effects of smoking, separating in a spot or two leaving little flags I had to remove.

The draw was spot on with just the right amount of resistance. Each pull resulted in great volumes of smoke and aside from the cap issues no faults with this one.

Flavor and Aroma: 41 Points of 45 Possible

Start is earthy tobacco with a hint of sweet in the finish. There's just enough spice in the retro to make you aware of it and a wood hint in the background.

The second third comes with a slight uptick in the wood now sharing the spotlight with the tobacco. Still a nice earthy profile and well balanced.

The last third is the same profile but the tobacco has gained some depth and the spice has reached a peak. Really liking the mix in the last third and it is in the full spectrum strength wise. Reminiscent of cigars back in the 80's.

Summary

I really enjoyed smoking this one. A real straight forward set of flavors and definitely a tribute to the maduro leaf. All the flavor you expect from a maduro wrapper amped up about 10 times. A big thanks to Kent for sponsoring this one.