Blackened Cigars Expands With Limited-Edition Lancero
Metallica’s James Hetfield, Drew Estate, and Rob Dietrich are expanding the Blackened cigar brand. A new lancero vitola has just launched at Drew Estate events, offering fans a sleek, limited-edition format.
The Blackened Lancero Release
The Blackened Lancero measures 7 inches by 40 ring gauge. It comes without a pigtail and is packed in boxes of 15. Each cigar is priced at $12.75.
The first appearances took place in September at Drew Estate events. More releases will follow through Drew Diplomat retailers, but only at exclusive in-store gatherings.
Jonathan Drew described the lancero as “a guitar solo in cigar form . . . long, lean and delivering concentrated flavour.”
The Story Behind Blackened
Blackened is a collaboration between three figures. James Hetfield of Metallica, Rob Dietrich of Blackened American Whiskey, and Jonathan Drew of Drew Estate created the brand.
Two core lines define Blackened. The first, Blackened M81, debuted in 2022. It features a Mexican San Andrés wrapper, Pennsylvania broadleaf binder, and fillers from Nicaragua and the United States. Known for its power, it has earned strong acclaim.
The Blackened M81 Corona received 95 points from Cigar Aficionado. It was also named the No. 7 cigar of 2023.
The second line, Blackened S84 Shade to Black, arrived in 2024. The name nods to Metallica’s “Fade to Black.” The blend uses Ecuador Connecticut wrappers, Connecticut broadleaf binders, and a filler mix of Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania broadleaf. Compared to the M81, it delivers a milder profile.
James Hetfield and Cigar Culture
James Hetfield continues to champion the brand while touring with Metallica. Known for smoking cigars on stage, he embodies the rock-and-roll ethos tied to Blackened. His April 2023 Cigar Aficionado cover further cemented his place in the cigar world.
The Lancero Experience
Rob Dietrich emphasised the uniqueness of the lancero size. “The ratio of wrapper to filler creates richness and refinement,” he explained. “It’s raw, bold, and unapologetic—just like Blackened.”
