The mission of the alumni from the Global SOTL Movement’s Certified Cigar Master Sommeliers School is to foster a community by providing a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and professional development.
This network allows them to connect with other cigar enthusiasts, as well as to meet and engage globally through the platform: https://www.sotlglobalmovement.com/sgmsommeliers
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In addition to networking opportunities, SGM –in collaboration with Humo Latino– presents brief profiles of certified sommeliers, available in both Spanish and English, to spread the experience and passion of the graduates, who serve as inspiration for aspiring sommeliers.
Every two months, SGM organizes virtual tastings and exclusive networking events for alumni, featuring a special guest, and will provide the cigar to be tasted, if available in their country.
These meetings include guest speakers such as cigar brand owners, Master Blenders, and experts in various aspects of the tobacco culture. This gives alumni the chance to sample different cigars and learn about their origins, flavors, and pairing options, all from the comfort of their homes.
At the same time, it provides a space for graduates to connect, share experiences, and build relationships in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. Join the Global SOTL Movement to promote the value of the Sommelier Course and let’s continue to elevate, together, the knowledge for the appreciation of cigars!
CCST Kathleen Carder
Kathy is 62 years old and lives in New Carlisle, Ohio, United States, where she works as the Senior Financial Manager for the LAIRCM Project for the Air Force, a military defense tool, while dedicating her free time to enjoying fine cigars.
Beyond her professional activity, she is a curious person when it comes to premium tobacco, always seeking an opportunity to socialize and discuss about cigars. “I live in a small town, but I enjoy going out to smoke on the porch and answering people’s questions about what I’m smoking at that moment.”
This passion for tobacco knowledge led her to join the educational program of the SOTL Global Movement, aiming to better prepare herself for personal growth and to help others select cigars for themselves or as gifts.
Although she already knew some topics, through this course as a Certified Cigar Sommelier, she learned about the leaves, their cultivation, selection, and construction, as well as how to choose a cigar based on each person’s palate.
“I now feel more confident when talking to other aficionados. Before taking the course, I would sit down to enjoy my cigar and just listen. It’s hard to participate in the discussion if you don’t have the knowledge.”
CCST Elaine Nuzzi
At 57 years old, Elaine is a prominent figure in the revenue management world, and since 2023, she has been the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Tampa Cigar Week, where she found social media to be the perfect platform for education and connection around premium tobacco.
According to her, Baltimore County, Maryland, where she lives, hosts a wide variety of cigar-related events, each representing a unique opportunity to connect with other enthusiasts, explore a broad range of tobaccos, and enjoy the camaraderie that defines the community.
Elaine’s main reason for becoming a Certified Cigar Sommelier was to expand her knowledge and create a space that connects and builds networks, empowering and educating women who are new to the world of premium tobacco. “By sharing my knowledge, my goal was to make the cigar world more accessible and welcoming to other women, fostering a community of support and shared passion.”
Being a busy woman, the program offered by the SOTL Global Movement was a great experience due to its flexible, self-paced structure, allowing her to balance learning with other commitments.
Now, after her graduation, she has applied the knowledge she gained in practical activities, from teaching others how to cut and light a cigar to educating them about blends and flavor profiles.
CCST Bobby Newman
Psychologist, certified behavior analyst specializing in the autism spectrum, and now Certified Cigar Sommelier, Bobby Newman is a 57-year-old enthusiast who has just begun to get professionally involved in the tobacco world.
Motivated by the desire to learn more about the history and nuances of a hobby he has enjoyed for 30 years, Bobby decided to enroll in the SOTL certification course, from which he gained a deeper understanding of the product and how to help others find what they would truly enjoy.
Currently, the only official activity he engages in is writing a column about books and cigars for the Not Gentlemanly Cigar Smokers website, while also serving as the unofficial sommelier for his circle, advising people about purchasing gifts for friends and loved ones. “I hope to get more involved as an owner or partner in a lounge once I retire professionally,” he notes.
For his work, Bobby often travels across the country and around the world, but his residence is in Long Beach, NY, where, during a fundraising event for the Make a Wish Foundation, he received a Perla del Mar cigar from JC Newman, handed to him by Bobby Newman, through whom Bobby is known within the premium tobacco industry as “the other Bobby Newman.”
