Drew Estate Blackened S84 Toro

The Blackened S84 Shade to Black is the lighter counterpart to the M81 — a medium-bodied cigar from Drew Estate's Blackened collaboration with Metallica's James Hetfield and Rob Dietrich. Where the M81 announces itself with dark maduro intensity, the S84 draws you in. Jonathan Drew described it as "a guitar solo in cigar form — long, lean, and delivering deep, concentrated flavour from foot to head." Ecuador Connecticut shade wrapper over Connecticut Broadleaf binder and Nicaraguan/Pennsylvania Broadleaf filler delivers cream, cedar, white pepper and toasted nuts — refined, complex and built to pair with Blackened Whiskey.

Read next: our 2026 tour of Nicaragua's great cigar makers | how premium cigars are crafted, from seed to box

About Drew Estate

Drew Estate is the world's largest hand-made premium cigar manufacturer, producing approximately 80 million cigars per year from La Gran Fábrica in Estelí, Nicaragua. Founded in 1996, the brand is known for innovation across a portfolio that includes Liga Privada, Undercrown, Kentucky Fire Cured, and the Blackened collaboration with Metallica. The Blackened line is the product of a two-year creative process between Jonathan Drew, Rob Dietrich and James Hetfield — each cigar blended specifically to pair with Blackened American Whiskey. Fine Cigars Club visited La Gran Fábrica on the TOR Tour 2026, witnessing the scale and craft behind every cigar the factory produces.

Tasting Notes of the Blackened S84 Toro

The S84 offers a more nuanced, approachable entry into the Blackened line — medium-bodied with genuine depth and an exceptional wrapper-to-filler ratio in the Toro format.

- Pre-light: Gentle creaminess from the Ecuador Connecticut wrapper, with light cedar and sweet tobacco.

- First Third: Cream, cedar and toasted nuts open cleanly. The draw is elegant and the strength is measured — noticeably lighter than the M81 from the first draw.

- Second Third: White pepper on the retrohale, with dried fruit and a subtle sweetness emerging alongside the woody core. Complexity builds steadily without aggression.

- Final Third: Toasted nuts, leather and a long, clean finish. The Ecuador Connecticut wrapper contributes creaminess to the end.

- Overall: Medium-bodied, refined and layered — the ideal gateway into the Blackened line for smokers who prefer a lighter profile.

Free UK delivery for purchases over £50.

Explore more Drew Estate cigars: Blackened M81 Maduro to the Core | Drew Estate Collection

Read more: Blackened Cigars by Drew Estate — The James Hetfield Story

Fun Facts About the Blackened S84

The S84 name is a nod to Metallica's landmark 1984 track "Fade to Black" — one of the band's most recognisable songs. S stands for Shade, a reference to the Ecuador Connecticut shade-grown wrapper that defines this blend.

The S84 was introduced in 2024, expanding the Blackened range beyond the original all-maduro M81 and giving smokers who prefer a lighter profile their own Blackened cigar.

Rob Dietrich has specifically highlighted the S84 Lancero format as exceptional — the long, lean vitola maximises the wrapper-to-filler ratio, making each draw more refined and concentrated than in wider formats.

FAQ About the Blackened S84

What is the difference between the Blackened M81 and S84?
The M81 is full-bodied and all-maduro — dark, complex and powerful. The S84 uses an Ecuador Connecticut shade wrapper and is medium-bodied, creamy and more approachable. Both are blended to pair with Blackened American Whiskey.

Is the S84 suitable for beginners?
Its medium body makes it more accessible than the M81 — though as a premium Nicaraguan cigar it still rewards smokers with some experience. If you're new to full-flavoured cigars, the S84 Toro is a better starting point than the M81.

What does S84 stand for?
S stands for Shade — the Ecuador Connecticut shade wrapper — and 84 is a nod to "Fade to Black" from Metallica's 1984 album Ride the Lightning.

What whiskey pairs with the S84?
Like the M81, the S84 was blended to pair with Blackened American Whiskey. Its lighter profile also works well with a single malt Scotch or an aged rum.