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 Robin Blue James
As the owner of BlueSmokeATL, an online business selling cigars and accessories, Robin Blue James presents herself within the premium tobacco industry as the proprietor of a very feminine company, which has been honored with a couple of awards for its unique and timeless designs of luxury jewelry, bracelets, and cigar picks for an elegant smoke.
For her, becoming a cigar sommelier was a natural path, given her passion for the industry and the culture surrounding it, and her attraction to the complex flavors and craftsmanship involved in cigar making. Now, after her graduation, she has deepened her knowledge, which she shares with those who are new to this sector.
Robin describes the Certified Cigar Sommelier program as a very comprehensive course, one that covers the history of cigars, their cultivation, fermentation, and processing, as well as the different types of formats and blends and the art of pairing them with drinks.
According to her, this knowledge is a series of things one might not think about when enjoying tobacco. In this sense, the certification becomes a tool that helps when you genuinely want to understand what you’re smoking: the filler, binder, and wrapper working as a whole.
As the owner of her own accessory brand, Robin found an excellent way to integrate into the community, connect with aficionados, and share her newfound knowledge at networking events, trade shows, and tastings, which can generate valuable relationships and opportunities in the industry.
CCST Paula Knight-Osborne
Paula Knight-Osborne is a 53-year-old woman specializing in curating custom events within the premium tobacco industry. Through these events, she dedicates herself to creating unique experiences that combine enjoyment, education, and fun.
The owner of Fumee Chic Cigar Concierge and the organizer of the annual event The Midwest Cigar Lounge Crawl, she creates moments specifically designed for attendees to learn which cigars pair best with their favorite alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as with their meals, while taking a journey through the history of the smoke and learning how cigars are made, what makes them unique, and the proper etiquette for smoking them.
Paula was born in Missouri and is based in Grandview, a suburb of Kansas City –a city with a lively and expanding cigar scene where aficionados are increasingly drawn to a diverse range of offerings, from luxury lounges to family-owned shops. All of this fosters a sense of community, just as it does with the Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL team of which she is a fervent follower.
For her, her sommelier certification is a combination of education and fun, as well as a perfect opportunity to grow her passion for cigar culture by understanding the whys and hows behind them.
“A deep understanding of the cigar smoking experience inspired my goal of becoming a certified cigar sommelier. You should always strive to be the best at what you’re passionate about. Don’t you agree?”
She adds that while the program was not a “walk in the park,” once she was in it, she realized there was so much she didn’t know, such as the history of cigars, mastering the art of their presentation, and many other important topics for a deep understanding of all that and more.
Finally, she states that with her newfound knowledge, she now understands the background of cigars and can better share that information while conveying her enthusiasm. This also gives her the opportunity to better guide attendees at her events, helping them choose what best suits their palate.
In addition to guiding beginners on their pairings, she educates seasoned smokers on different ways to get the most out of their cigars and even advises them on how to savor each moment with elegance and pleasure.
