SP1014 Carisma 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.
The Carisma is another collaboration between Sanj Patel, and Eladio Diaz, the former Master Blender at Davidoff. Unlike the SP1014 Antra, the Carisma will be a regular release with a limited yearly production. The blend is composed of a Corojo 99 Wrapper enveloping Mexican Negro San Andres Binder, Piloto Cubano, Corojo Original, Habano 20/20, HVA and Corojo 99 Filler leaves. The Carisma is available in 4 vitolas, Churchill, Toro, Robusto Gorda, and a Corona Gorda.
This example is the Robusto Gorda at 5″ x 56. The cigar was dry boxed 12 hours prior to the review. The milk chocolate colored wrapper looks smooth, with some thin veins, and an oily sheen. The aromas on the wrapper remind me of a spiced chocolate. The band is a clear departure from the prior SP1014 releases. The head motif is not front and center, but is placed on the sides. While this new band is much bigger, it is good to see some variety in the branding. The cigar is finished with a shallow pigtail cap, and a closed foot. The cold draw is perfectly snug, which is surprising given the large ring gauge. Notes on the cold draw are sugarcane, and some sweet natural tobacco. I carefully lit the Carisma with a soft flame lighter to taste the wrapper on the closed foot.
SP1014 Carisma First Third
The Carisma is starting sweet. I’m picking up on cornflakes, oak, and some creaminess on the palate. The retrohale shows fresh sugarcane, stone fruit, vanilla, some muted white pepper, and a touch of mixed baking spices. The retrohale here is very impressive. It’s bright, and lively, which is a great contrast to the sweet and creamy tones on the palate. The overall profile here is smooth, complex, and exciting. Smoke output is fantastic. The ash and combustion both look great. There’s a light finish of oak on the palate.
SP1014 Carisma Second Third
The notes on the palate are toasted oak, cheerios, and more of that creaminess. I’m getting Sugarcane, vanilla, muted white pepper, and a hint of that stone fruit on the retrohale. The retrohale is not nearly as bright as in the first third, and I found myself chasing the brighter puffs. The burn line got wavey but always corrected on its own. The smoke output is fantastic, but the texture has dried slightly. The ash looks great, and combustion hasn’t been an issue. There’s a medium finish of toasted oak.
SP1014 Carisma Final Third
I’m picking up toasted oak, cheerios, vanilla, and freshly ground coffee on the palate. The retrohale shows sugarcane, vanilla, muted white pepper, and just a touch of that stone fruit. The brightness in the retrohale took another significant step down. The profile is much smoother and sweeter than in the first third, but I loved that lively retrohale at the beginning of the cigar. Smoke output remained fantastic, and the texture was slightly dry. The ash and combustion were great for the remainder of the smoke. There’s a medium finish of toasted oak. Past the band, the flavors remained consistent, and I smoked it down to about an inch.
SP1014 Carisma Conclusions
If asked to describe a cigar flavor profile perfectly tailored to my palate it would sound almost exactly like the first third of the SP1014 Carisma. Sweet, fresh, and creamy on the draw with a bright and energetic retrohale. The only fault I can think of with the Carisma is that the rest of the experience is overshadowed by the magical first third. That’s not to say that the second and final thirds were anything less than great. The sugarcane note especially was fantastic. The construction was near perfect besides a touch-up or two needed in the final third. From what I could tell by the closed foot most of the retrohale tones were coming from the wrapper. I’ve already put in an order for the 6″x46 to see if that theory proves true. As you can expect with a Sanj Patel release it’s extremely well priced. These cigars can be had for under $10, and at that cost, this is fantastic value. I’ll be buying a box once I try out the other vitolas!
