The BLACKENED S84 Shade To Black Toro is the result of a unique collaboration between Rob Dietrich, Master Distiller & Blender of BLACKENED Whiskey; James Hetfield, co-founder, singer, and guitarist of Metallica; and Jonathan Drew, Founder and President of Drew Estate. This cigar represents a passion project that brings together the expertise of these three aficionados to create an unforgettable smoking experience. With its luxurious Connecticut Ecuador wrapper and a blend of Connecticut River Valley Broadleaf Maduro binder and Nicaraguan and Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro fillers, the BLACKENED S84 offers a distinct journey compared to its predecessor, the M81. The name pays homage to the famous ballad from Metallica’s 1984 album, “Ride The Lightning”.
The BLACKENED S84 Shade To Black Toro boasts a light golden Connecticut shade wrapper that is both oily and shiny. The construction is excellent, with the cigar tightly rolled, though multiple reviewers have noted slight cracking on the foot of the wrapper. The wrapper is slightly veiny, contributing to its rustic appearance.
The first third of the BLACKENED S84 opens with flavor notes of hay and peanut nuttiness, complemented by a subtle red pepper spice. An undertone of buttery sweet cream, reminiscent of Italian lemon cookies, adds a delightful layer of complexity.
As the cigar progresses into the second third, the initial sweetness persists, now joined by a hint of vanilla. The peanut and hay notes continue, while the spice intensifies, developing into a stronger cayenne-like heat.
In the final third, the flavor profile remains consistent with the second third but introduces more pronounced wood notes. The nuttiness begins to subside, and the overall strength of the cigar climbs, with the cayenne spice becoming more prominent.
Despite the minor cracking on the foot of the wrapper, the BLACKENED S84 Shade To Black Toro delivers a perfect draw and an excellent, razor-sharp burn line. The flavors are consistent and enjoyable, making it a great cigar for new smokers. Some reviewers found it milder than their usual preference, though the strength notably increases in the final third.
Overall Score: 89.66 out of 100
Overall Strength Score: 3.83 out of 10
This blind review (Cigar #12-D) was conducted by the Cigar Review Team comprising Tyler Ceola, James Elliott, Rick Galletta, JB Smith, Rob Brown, George Hillman, Hassib Abou-Zaki – The Cigar Propher, J. Dwayne Corn, Nicholas Peters, Travis Rodd, and Brett Curry
