SP1014 Antra Prelight
Sanj Patel is the owner and operator of the legendary Sanj’s Smoke Shop in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Sanj is also the mastermind behind the SP1014, Industry Killer, RS88, and FFK lines.
SP1014 Antra was blended in collaboration with Eladio Diaz, the former Master Blender at Davidoff. This very special blend is named after Sanj Patel’s late daughter Antra. The proceeds from this release will be donated to a SIDS foundation aimed at identifying and eliminating the causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The Antra comes in only one vitola at 7″ by 43 which leaves it somewhere between a Lonsdale and a Lancero. The blend is proprietary but it includes 7 different tobaccos some of which have been aged as much as 10 years. This is a limited release of 2,500 boxes of 10.
This example has a very nice looking chocolate wrapper with a reddish hue. The pigtail cap is neatly knotted, and there’s a closed foot. There’s an aroma of musty apple wood. A punch cut reveals a perfect draw with more apple, and wood tones on the cold draw. I carefully lit this one with a soft flame butane lighter so I could taste the wrapper on the closed foot.
SP1014 Antra First Third
We’re starting off with thick velvety smoke texture and some medium smoke output. I’m getting initial flavors of bright cedar and some very mild white pepper from the wrapper. The notes on the palate are medium roast coffee bean, roasted almonds, cedar, and some sweet earth in the background. There is a deep sweetness you can feel on your tongue as you draw the smoke in. The retrohale is showing fresh raspberries, cocoa powder, butter, and a pinch of mild white pepper. The profile is exceptionally balanced, and that raspberry note is very clear. Ash and burn have been stellar so far. There’s lots of visible tooth on the wrapper which is always great to see. There’s a short finish of cedar, and raspberry.
SP1014 Antra Second Third
The blend is staying very consistent here in the second third, most of the flavors are the same but I’m getting a bit more richness. The palate is showing medium roast coffee, fresh raspberries, cedar, and some toasty bread. I’m getting more raspberry, butter, a bit of cocoa, and some very mild white pepper on the retrohale. Smoke output is excellent, and the smoke texture is velvety. Ash and construction continue to be flawless. There’s a medium finish of cedar and raspberry.
SP1014 Antra Final Third
We’re still chugging along here in the final third. More of the same flavors, but getting a bit more toasty. Raspberries, mocha, cedar, cocoa powder, and some toasty bread on the palate. More raspberries, milk chocolate, butter, and some very mild white pepper on the retrohale. The burn line got a bit wavy, but always self corrected. The ash also began to get a little flakey. Smoke output, and texture are both very strong. There’s a medium finish of cedar, and a touch of raspberry. Past the band the raspberry began to fade, and the cocoa and cedar tones took center stage. I smoked this one all the way down to the nub.
SP1014 Antra Conclusions
Sanj Patel and Eladio Diaz are industry legends, and for very good reason. This may be one of the most unique blends I’ve ever tasted. It’s very clear that Eladio reached into the vault for the SP1014 Antra. The mild pepper, and the fruity nuances are indicative of some very well aged tobaccos. The raspberry tones were exceptional, and the overall balance of the stick was very impressive. I’m also asking myself why people aren’t rolling more cigars in this vitola? It has all of the elegance of a Lancero, but you don’t have to baby the cherry nearly as much. On top of all of that the proceeds from this cigar are all going to a SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) foundation, and I can’t think of an easier cause to get behind. At $14 these are very reasonably priced, especially when you consider the rarity, and age of the tobacco. If this is like any of Sanj’s previous limited releases I’d get some while you still can!
