01
Core Line
Blackened M81
The debut blend - an all-dark-tobacco maduro built as a "whiskey-drinker’s cigar." Rich, dark, and medium-to-full. The flagship of the brand.
Wholesale Blackened cigars - distributed by MDC.
Blackened Cigars is the collaboration between Drew Estate and Blackened American Whiskey, the brand founded by Metallica. The M81 debut is a dark 'whiskey-drinker's maduro' built from all-dark tobaccos, and the line has grown from there. MDC distributes Blackened to venues that want a modern, name-brand conversation starter with real blending behind it.
Years in Blackened Rotation
14+
14 years·Trusted by Four Seasons, The Broadmoor, Caesars Entertainment
MDC + Blackened
Why MDC stocks Blackened
Celebrity collaborations are usually all label and no blend. Blackened is the exception - it comes out of Drew Estate's Estelí operation, and the M81 is a genuinely well-built dark maduro that stands on its own. The Metallica and whiskey tie-ins just make it easier to sell: bartenders can pair it with a pour, and the name does the introduction.
MDC carries 10 active Blackened SKUs across its lines. It slots into our programs as the modern, dark-leaning pick for venues whose crowd skews younger or whiskey-driven - and it moves especially well anywhere the bar program and the humidor talk to each other.
“Blackened is in our standing rotation because the accounts we serve - from casinos to cigar bars - sell through it consistently. That's the only reason a brand stays on our line card.”
Core Line-up
Blackened blends MDC distributes
Not every SKU in the Blackened catalog is in our standing rotation - we curate to what actually moves at retail. These are the core lines we keep in depth.
02
Core Line
Blackened S84 Shade to Black
The follow-up - a Connecticut Shade wrapper over dark filler. Smoother entry, dark finish. Broadens the brand beyond the full-maduro crowd.
Venue Fit
Which venues stock Blackened
Blackened's portfolio leans dark and medium-to-full, with the S84 adding a smoother option, and its natural habitat is anywhere whiskey is poured: steakhouse bars, casino bars, and cigar lounges with a serious spirits list. The brand-name recognition pulls in guests who might not otherwise buy a cigar, which makes it a strong menu addition for hotel bars courting a younger crowd. Liquor stores do well with it too - the whiskey cross-merchandising angle is built right into the brand.
The retail margin math for Blackened
MDC's active Blackened SKUs run roughly $109–$207 per box wholesale, and venues typically retail at 1.8x–2.5x wholesale. That lands per-stick retail in the accessible-premium zone - low enough for an impulse pairing with a whiskey pour, high enough to hold healthy margin.
How to build a Blackened program with MDC
The MDC approach to any brand is the same: start with a curated core rotation sized to your venue, prove sell-through, then layer in deeper SKU coverage as the account matures. For a typical hospitality account, a Blackened program begins with 2–3 vitolas across 40–60 cigars of opening depth, paired with the other brands that complement your overall humidor structure.
Because Blackened is one of the core workhorse brands in the category, it's almost always part of the MDC opening-proposal for any new account - the exact SKUs and depth vary by whether you're running a bar-led hospitality program, a dedicated cigar lounge, or a pro-shop display. Your rep builds the proposal fast once you apply, with real numbers keyed to your venue.
Related wholesale brands + programs
Other brands frequently paired with Blackened in MDC programs: Drew Estate , Undercrown , Deadwood , Tabak Especial . For the complete list of brands MDC distributes, see the wholesale cigar brands index. For the programs each brand fits - hospitality, retail, cigar bar - see Cigars for Hospitality and Cigars for Retail.
Wholesale FAQ
Buying Blackened wholesale - common questions.
Who is the wholesale distributor for Blackened cigars?
MDC Wholesale Cigars distributes Blackened to licensed venues and retailers nationwide - casinos, hotels, steakhouses, golf shops, liquor stores, and cigar bars. Blackened has been in MDC's standing rotation for 14+ years.
How do I buy Blackened cigars wholesale?
Apply for an MDC wholesale account - it starts with a short qualification form. Once you're approved, your rep builds a curated first order with Blackened SKUs matched to your venue. Most new accounts get their first shipment within a week of approval.
How much do Blackened cigars cost wholesale?
Most premium boxes run roughly $80-$300 wholesale depending on the line and vitola, and venues typically retail at 1.8x-2.5x wholesale. Your exact Blackened pricing depends on your account and order size - your rep quotes real numbers before you commit to anything.
Can I return Blackened cigars that don't sell?
Yes. Every MDC order is backed by our no-risk exchange: if a Blackened SKU doesn't move for your crowd, we swap it for one that will. Cigar orders over $1,000 ship free.
Ready to Stock Blackened?
Open an MDC account. We'll tell you where Blackened fits in your rotation.
Apply to open an MDC account. We'll look at your venue profile, your existing rotation (if any), and tell you exactly what a Blackened program should look like on your floor - opening SKUs, depth, price points, and how it pairs with the rest of your humidor.
Cost of Waiting
Every month without Blackened on your shelf is margin your competitors are collecting. Your rep can have it in your first shipment within a week of approval.
We only take 4 new accounts a month
4 spots open for July
P.S. Blackened has been in MDC's standing rotation for 14+ years. If MDC can help your business, we can get you into a first shipment within a week of qualifying.