Founded in 2019, All Saints was started by three friends Mickey Pegg, Frank Layo and Martin Corboy. One of the three, Mickey Pegg came from the cigar industry where he worked in retail before becoming a rep for Davidoff as well as being the VP of Sales for CAO before they were sold to General Cigars. Following the successful Dedicación and Solamente lines, the company debuted Saint Francis in 2021. Like the other two cigars in their portfolio, this too is made at Rocky Patel’s Tavicusa factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. It’s produced in four sizes, a Robusto, Toro, Huge (60 Ring) and today’s review a Churchill.
Cigar Review: All Saints Saint Francis
Wrapper: Ecuador Oscuro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 7″
Ring Gauge: 48
Size: Churchill
The Look: Packaged in 20 count black boxes, the cigars are laid out in 4 rows of 5 cigars. The Robusto, Toro & Churchill come as a box pressed cigar, while the size called Huge is a traditional round vitola. The cigar features the All Saints logo with colors of black, gold and white while a secondary band utilizing the same colors denotes the line, Saint Francis. In the hand, the cigar is firm to the touch with no voids of tobacco and a well packed foot.
The Notes: The cold draw serves up notes of cedar, pecan and a subtle spice while the aroma off the foot serves up a nice amount of spice and cedar. Before even lighting it up I can tell this is going to be stronger than the All Saints Dedicación which we reviewed in April of 2020. Once lit the initial flavor profile is a fleeting fig note.
As we smoke the first third, notes of Turkish coffee envelop the palate with hints of nuts and cedar in the background. The retrohale sees the addition of allspice and the long finish reveals a leather component along with the Turkish coffee. It’s interesting to note the Churchill size sees the spicy component develops more slowly than the other sizes in the line from my experience so far.
The second third sees the coffee continue although the allspice catches up around the halfway point becoming the dominant flavor profile. In the background there is a subtle sweetness that occasionally shows itself on the elongated finish of the Saint Francis. By the end of the second third the spice levels are on par with the other sizes on the line.
As we slide into the final third a caramel creaminess develop on the palate and finish as the coffee and all spice pull back, creating a mouthwatering experience. As we smoke past the band, a cedar develops that becomes dominant for the last inch of the cigar with some increasing leather notes on this finish.
The Finish: The All Saints Saint Francis is a medium-full bodied cigar that finishes full. Knowing it comes from Rocky Patel’s Tavicusa factory I didn’t expect the spice and strength that this cigar delivered and it was definitely welcomed. The Turkish coffee notes were as defined to me as any note I have tasted in a cigar, and it is something that will call me back time and time again. This cigar is definitely worth trying and I grabbed a 5 pack of each size for my humidor at home.
Score: 93
Price: $11.59 / $227.99
All Saints Saint Francis
All Saints Saint Francis Foot
All Saints Saint Francis Burn
