Cigar Geeks - Drew Estate Blackened M81 Corona

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Drew Estate Blackened M81 Corona
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: arrow34

92
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 Naked Malt blended scotch

Pre-Light: 9 Points of 10 Possible

In the hand the cigar is firm and well packed with tobacco. The foot which is also well packed reveals a swirl of darker tobacco. The wrapper is a nice dark maduro wrapper, veiny and has a nice deep aroma.

Lighting and Burn: 14 Points of 15 Possible

I chose a straight guillotine cut and it cut cleanly, with no cracking or loose tobacco. I toasted the end with a single flame torch and puffed it to life. It lit smoothly as it had been resting in my humidor for over two weeks. The burn was razer sharp to start and went wavy after the first third. It straightened out, into the second third and went wavy again in the final third. I never had to touch it up or relight The volume of smoke was very good throughout.

Construction: 28 Points of 30 Possible

As usual Drew Estate cigars have top quality tobacco and rollers. The construction of the cigar was solid and due to drew estates regular rolling quality, the draw is excellent and the cigar is expertly rolled.

Flavor and Aroma: 41 Points of 45 Possible

From the first light and puff, the cigar comes out punching. It is a full bodied and flavored cigar with a long lingering flavor. The first third has a spicy woody flavor with an espresso and red/black pepper. The second third, the flavor and strength take a small dip and a chocolate note comes in. The final third, the strength comes back up to full and the flavors remain similar with a bit more espresso, a sharp bready note comes on each draw on the cigar.

Summary

I would say that I would smoke this again and might try a larger size. Even though, i really liked this size and the flavor profile, I would appreciate a longer smoke time, with a slightly extended second and third third. It was a great release and I think if you like a nice flavorful stick, this size is for you!