KIRBY ALLISON: THE CIGAR MASTERS

[TomsRibs210]

Just came across this new venture from noted shoe care and hanger impresario Kirby Allison called "The Cigar Masters" over at thecigarmasters.com. It's positioned as a MasterClass-style platform with subscription access to video content on cutting, lighting, storing and smoking cigars, featuring interviews with industry experts.

Has anyone signed up for the Platinum tier? It started only today and already has 300 five-star reviews and testimonials, which is incredibly impressive. 

Would love to hear everyone thoughts.

[barrygoodvibes]

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that there is likely nothing in this class that you can’t learn for free watching videos on YouTube and reading online. This is a money grab. 

To be nice. I’ll say that Kirby’s production quality is top notch for cigar content. 

[loose_axle]

I did look at it and think I learnt all they're offering, and been on Zooms, for free at FOH. But I'm sure it will be a great experience and a lot will figure the asking prices well worth it if they get to sit down/ Zoom and have a cigar with the Sahakians and other personalities Kirby has interviewed over the years, not to mention one with him as well. 

I just hope it doesn't fall by the wayside like Cigar Keep did. 

[chasy]

Selling courses online is the newest grift. (Honestly not that new.)

[ATGroom]

Bit of a surprise to see myself front and centre on their list of masters.🤣

My involvement was an interview that Kirby and Adam shot with me in 2024. I don't recall saying anything especially revelatory, but hopefully it helps someone on their journey of cigar mastership. It was a fun experience. Lasted about an hour.

I haven't seen any of the other content so I can't comment on that. 

One thing you're not going to be able to argue with is the production values. They had a whole set with multiple cameras, lights, about a 10 person crew. Every other interview I've ever done in cigar world has been shot on an phone, and if it's someone really professional they might have a lapel mic for you. Kirby is at a whole other level with that side of things.

[Ford2112]

10 hours ago, TomsRibs210 said:

Would love to hear everyone thoughts.

No you wouldn't. 

[ha_banos]

Grotesque. Cigar keep not working out then. Try something else. I hope the masters used in the material get decent commission.

[LizardGizmo]

The YouTube face of “this thing of ours” has distilled it all down to an annually billed cash-grab Masterclass. Have we reached top of grift mountain?

The now-deleted ChatGPT reviews section was the best part…Mark D. from Chicago left his ️ ️ ️ ️ ️ review after watching all 22 hours of content before it was even available to be watched: “Worth Every Minute — My Cigar Skills Improved Instantly. Cigar Masters feels calm, polished, and serious about the craft. It doesn't talk down to you or oversell anything. You just learn, at your own pace." Susan R. from Florida couldn’t stop smiling as she wrote “️ ️ ️ ️ ️ What stood out to me most was how balanced it is. Cuban, New World, history, technique — it all connects naturally. It feels curated, not thrown together."

This is like Chef Boyardee running a 24 hour cooking seminar in front of IMAX cameras with Thomas Keller and Morimoto as surprise (to them, Punk’d style) walk-on guests.

[TomsRibs210]

3 minutes ago, LizardGizmo said:

The YouTube face of “this thing of ours” has distilled it all down to an annually billed cash-grab Masterclass.
Have we reached top of grift mountain? The now-deleted ChatGPT reviews section was the best part…Mark D. from Chicago left his ️ ️ ️ ️ ️ review after watching all 22 hours of content before it was even available to be watched: “Worth Every Minute — My Cigar Skills Improved Instantly. Cigar Masters feels calm, polished, and serious about the craft. It doesn't talk down to you or oversell anything. You just learn, at your own pace." Susan R. from Florida couldn’t stop smiling as she wrote “️ ️ ️ ️ ️ What stood out to me most was how balanced it is. Cuban, New World, history, technique — it all connects naturally. It feels curated, not thrown together."

This is like Chef Boyardee running a 24 hour cooking seminar in front of IMAX cameras with Thomas Keller and Morimoto as surprise (to them, Punk’d style) walk-on guests.

I am glad someone else saw the reviews before they deleted him. I thought I was going crazy. 

[GP012]

Sadly the A+ editing doesn't extend to spelling.

[TheCigarSoldier]

It's no surprise to me that two of the most polarizing figures that have infiltrated the cigar industry have created a masterclass. The other being Brian Desind of Privada Cigar Club (I'd personally argue that guy has done far more damage to the cigar world than Kirby ever will). I'm no follower of Privada but his course looks to be free with the lure of gaining more members to his group by the end.

As for Kirby, the only thing I have to admit I'd be intrigued by is really diving into the process of the agricultural aspects of cigars as well as the blending process with Klaas. Bias aside, I think it would be fascinating. Granted, there's plenty of free content covering that already available so my own sole argument is already shot down lol. 

Don't you guys miss the days when the biggest drama in the cigar world was everyone coming out with a 60 ring gauge plus cigar.

Ego left unchecked is a dangerous thing.

 

 

[joeypots]

I'm going to do a master class focusing on my 5 tier Cuban cigar rating classifications. PM if you are interested in this in depth lecture and discussion of the most accurate way to evaluate  and appreciate your precious cigars.

Space is limited.

[zacca]

9 hours ago, ATGroom said:

Bit of a surprise to see myself front and centre on their list of masters.🤣

My involvement was an interview that Kirby and Adam shot with me in 2024. I don't recall saying anything especially revelatory, but hopefully it helps someone on their journey of cigar mastership. It was a fun experience. Lasted about an hour.

I haven't seen any of the other content so I can't comment on that. 

One thing you're not going to be able to argue with is the production values. They had a whole set with multiple cameras, lights, about a 10 person crew. Every other interview I've ever done in cigar world has been shot on a phone, and if it's someone really professional they might have a lapel mic for you. Kirby is at a whole other level with that side of things.

Totally agree. It goes to show just how important production quality is to getting eyeballs. You don’t have to be charismatic or even knowledgeable, but if you focus on stellar production and a consistent release schedule, audiences in niche areas of interest will watch…especially those hobbies that are generally starved of good, consistent content.