Metallica's James Hetfield has partnered with cigarmaker Jonathan Drew and Blackened American Whiskey distiller Rob Dietrich on a new cigar brand called Blackened Cigars "M81" by Drew Estate. As reported by Cigar Aficionado, the all-maduro, handmade cigars are set to start shipping to retailers in December.
"It is really a fun social thing for me, a fellowship, to have a few buddies sit around with a few sticks," Hetfield commented. "My buddy Rob Dietrich, Blackened's master distiller, and I frequently enjoy cigars together and he introduced me to Jonathan from Drew Estate. The three of us connected and shared each other's vision and story about where we've been, what we like to see and what is important to us now, and we all came up with what a Blackened 'M81' cigar would look and taste like. I love the maduro leaf and I'm super excited for everyone to try this."
The wrapper is Mexican San Andrés, the binder is Connecticut broadleaf and the filler is a combination of broadleaf grown in Nicaragua and Pennsylvania. Made in Nicaragua, the cigars come in four sizes, packed 20 to the box: Robusto (5 inches long by 50 ring gauge); Toro (6 by 52); Corona Doble (7 by 50) and Corona (5 by 43). Suggested retail prices range from $9.15 per cigar for the Corona to $10.35 per cigar for the Corona Doble.
The cigars are scheduled to be officially unveiled tonight on Drew Estate's program Freestyle Live. You can tune in at 7 p.m. ET.
