Metallica’s James Hetfield, Drew Estate And Rob Dietrich Expanding Blackened Cigar Brands

[JohnS]

We had previously mentioned that James Hetfield, from Metallica, had expanded his cigar line with Drew Estate around eighteen months ago. Now comes some more releases...

Metallica’s James Hetfield, Drew Estate And Rob Dietrich Expanding Blackened Cigar Brands

Limited-edition Blackened Lanceros starting to roll out now at Drew Estate events

 Sep 23, 2025 - By David Savona 

Photo/Drew Estate

The cigar made in conjunction with the biggest name in heavy metal music is being expanded with a lancero size. The two versions of Blackened are getting a new, limited-edition lancero measuring 7 inches long by 40 ring gauge. Pigtail free, the skinny new smokes made their first appearance at a September Drew Estate event, with more on the way. They come packed in boxes of 15 and are priced at $12.75 per cigar.

The Lancero is being sold only at events held by Drew Diplomat retailers. 

Blackened is a cigar made by Metallica star James Hetfield, Blackened whisky distiller Rob Dietrich and Drew Estate president and co-founder Jonathan Drew. There are two varieties of Blackened: the Blackened M81 and the Blackened S84. The former debuted in 2022, and the first public tasting of the brand was at the 2022 Las Vegas Big Smoke. That line is a maduro, made with Mexican wrappers, Pennsylvania binders and a mix of American and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. They tend to be rather strong, and they have scored quite well in the pages of Cigar Aficionado. The Blackened M81 Corona scored 95 points in a Cigar Aficionado blind taste test, and was named No. 7 cigar of 2023. 

James Hetfield of Metallica, smoking a Blackened M81 by Drew Estate at Metallica headquarters in San Rafael, California. (Photo/Jim Wright)

Hetfield is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Metallica, a band that has played all over the world and is one of the best-known acts in all of rock. The band is in the middle of a world tour, and Hetfield has been known to even puff cigars on stage while he plays. He appeared on the April 2023 cover of Cigar Aficionado. 

In 2024, the Blackened cigar brand was expanded with the creation of Blackened “S84 Shade To Black” by Drew Estate, a sly take on the Metallica song “Fade To Black.” S84 is milder in body than M81, rolled with lightly hued Ecuador Connecticut wrappers, Connecticut broadleaf binders and a mix of Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania broadleaf in the filler. 

Jonathan Drew called the new smoke “a guitar solo in cigar form . . . It’s long, lean and delivers deep, concentrated flavor from foot to head.”

“The Lancero format showcases the blend in a way no other size can,” explains Dietrich. “You get this incredible ratio of wrapper to filler, making every puff more rich, more refined. It’s raw, real and unapologetically bold—just like Blackened.” 

Source: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/metallica-s-james-hetfield-drew-estate-and-rob-dietrich-expanding-blackened-cigar-brands

[Hoosh]

I would love to get a handful of these Lanceros! I love smoking the M81 - no honey, nougat, or floral confusion with this cigar! 🙂

[Ford2112]

I had one a while back. Not exactly complex.

[Hoosh]

4 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

I had one a while back. Not exactly complex.

One of the new Lanceros? Or the M81? Either way, complexity isn’t what either of those cigars is about; It’s an all Maduro cigar. Folks should know what they’re going to be getting with it. That’s why I mentioned above there was no honey, nougat or floral confusion there!

The good news is that I did find a DE event taking place “close” to my house next month and those events are where the Lanceros will be available. 🙂

[Puros Y Vino]

I have two M81 Coronas and two bottles of Blackened Whiskey. All unsmoked, unopened.  With summer dwindling, I need to do a pairing soon. For those of you that smoked the M81 and S84. What are the major differences besides wrapper?

[Ford2112]

6 hours ago, Hoosh said:

One of the new Lanceros? Or the M81? Either way, complexity isn’t what either of those cigars is about

Kind of like everything after And Justice For All.

[Hoosh]

1 hour ago, Ford2112 said:

Kind of like everything after And Justice For All.

Cliff ‘em all! 

[Ford2112]

1 hour ago, Hoosh said:

Cliff ‘em all! 

Bought the Creeping Death Ep in 83/84

[Hoosh]

My first Metallica cassette was garage days revisited. I bought it with three, two dollar bills that I “borrowed” from my then girlfriend’s dresser. There was a lot of good years after that.🤫

[ElLoboLoco]

I went on a DE Bender awhile back after meeting Willie at El Titan de Bronze. Great guy btw. Humble as they come.

It seems like they haven’t made a major splash in recent years. Ymmv

[Hoosh]

45 minutes ago, ElLoboLoco said:

I went on a DE Bender awhile back after meeting Willie at El Titan de Bronze. Great guy btw. Humble as they come.

Sandy is just as awesome! From 2014….