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The Blackened M81 is a grim piece of hardware. It is a collaboration between James Hetfield and Jonathan Drew that avoids the usual gold leaf and cursive. The band is matte black with copper stencil work. It looks like a part for an engine. The wrapper is a Mexican San Andrés leaf that is as dark as a tire.
The heart of the thing is the Pennsylvania Green River One Sucker tobacco. This is a primitive, oily leaf. It is known for a high nicotine content and a stubborn burn. Most blenders are afraid of it. Drew Estate uses it here to anchor a three-country Maduro blend. The result is a stick that feels dense. It has the rigidity of a dowel rod.
You do not get a lot of smoke from this cigar when it sits in the tray. It is an efficient burner. It keeps the fire internal. When you draw, the smoke arrives with the flavor of a burnt marshmallow. It is a strange, chemical sweetness that sits underneath a layer of bitter espresso. There is no creaminess here. It is a dry, gritty experience.
The draw is tight. You have to be deliberate with it. The first inch is dominated by a black pepper that stings the nose. This is the Nicaraguan Maduro filler making itself known. Once you get past the start, the flavor shifts to charred oak and a mineral saltiness. It tastes like the air in a blacksmith shop.
The nicotine is the main event. It is a slow, physical creep that starts at the base of the skull. By the halfway point, you realize this is a high-strength tool. It is not for a casual morning. The burn line is thin and straight. The ash is a stark, clean gray. It holds its shape because the leaves are thick.
It is a specialized product for people who want to feel the impact of tobacco. It does not try to be elegant. It is a loud, dark, and salt-stained tribute to the year Metallica started. You smoke it because you want a blunt instrument.
