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 the 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. 

[BigGuns]

13 hours ago, ATGroom said:

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.

Now the cost structure is starting to make sense…need to pay all those wages. That notwithstanding, I’m having a hard time figuring out who this is for? All the information one needs can be found from so many different sources on the web or in books, not the least of which you have maintained and given the world in both forms! CCW, this forum, podcasts, YouTube videos, hell, CA even provides good and interesting information from time to time (see Montecristo article from Dec 2025 issue).

There are so many resources out there that one could…I dunno…light up a cigar, escape for a bit, and browse on something as convenient as their phone! Novel idea, and I’m not sure you’d need a “how to cut and light a cigar” tutorial from someone in a Saville-tailored suit from an overproduced video that comes with a $30/mo minimum (forced as an annual commitment, btw) to get there.  

The grift is what bothers me - Rob could easily charge for membership here, George could easily put the podcast or content behind a paywall, you could easily solicit donations Wikipedia-style for the unfathomable amount of effort and time you and Trevor have put into CCW, and people would gladly pay. But you don’t, because that’s not what this hobby is all about.

I can’t imagine this being successful, so I suppose it is the audacity of the attempt that bothers me. Perhaps it depends on how many lazy people are out there with money to burn that find gratification in overproduced Cliff notes (Spark notes for you yungins). C’est la vie….

I’m a little disappointed in myself - I just wanted to talk a little trash about the cost and not get all heated up…rant over.  Carry on…
 

[joeypots]

3 hours ago, BigGuns said:

Novel idea, and I’m not sure you’d need a “how to cut and light a cigar” tutorial from someone in a Saville-tailored suit from an overproduced video that comes with a $30/mo minimum (forced as an annual commitment, btw) to get there.  

I get it, these guys are making a buck and that's OK. The elitism goes against my grain. Make no mistake, I like nice things and don't have a problem with people being formal but for me cigars have always been about getting together with friends and shooting the breeze or relaxing on my own. 

[BigGuns]

5 minutes ago, joeypots said:

I get it, these guys are making a buck and that's OK. The elitism goes against my grain. Make no mistake, I like nice things and don't have a problem with people being formal but for me cigars have always been about getting together with friends and shooting the breeze or relaxing on my own. 

Couldn’t agree more, Joe 

[Puros Y Vino]

9 hours ago, ha_banos said:

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

It's intentions were good. It was a BR style trading forum, where people posted their collection and can elicit trades, etc. But then IIRC they were looking to charge for memberships. When that failed, the main investor (some British dude) bailed and dropped it in Kirby's hands where it faltered for months. I quickly deleted all my entries and did not enjoy the random DM's looking to trade 2 Hoyo De Palmas for 1 Le Escepcion Selections Finos.🙄

[yuppie]

2 hours ago, Puros Y Vino said:

It's intentions were good. It was a BR style trading forum, where people posted their collection and can elicit trades, etc. But then IIRC they were looking to charge for memberships. When that failed, the main investor (some British dude) bailed and dropped it in Kirby's hands where it faltered for months. I quickly deleted all my entries and did not enjoy the random DM's looking to trade 2 Hoyo De Palmas for 1 Le Escepcion Selections Finos.🙄

It's such a small, niche hobby, I don't think you can build a platform that'll scale to the point of being profitable without doing something like 24:24, making your own cigars, etc. Just building a community where enthusiasts can communicate is already free from various social medias and even the message board we're on right now. What does Kirby do for a living? I wonder...I think all these things simply need to be monetized otherwise it's not "worth" spending the time on. I certainly don't try and provide such a platform, so I guess I'm making my own point.

[chasy]

I think he started with cedar shoe trees, clothes hangers, etc. The whole foray started as high end, direct to consumer wardrobe accessories. I think the “finer things” schtick lead to the played out ‘gentleman’ persona. That bumped up against cigars (and I’m sure other fine trappings of the English gentleman). It seems the the cigar angle stuck and Kirby doubled down.

I will say he has very impressive access to well respected folks in the world of Habanos, so he persuaded some serious folks along the way.

But the underlying focus has been to make money, from day one hawking luxury shoe accessories to today.

I don’t knock anyone from making a living, and if you can make a living pursuing a passion, more credit to you. However, it open you up to criticism as well. The model the works best seems to be free, best in class content with the occasional brand partnership or product line.

Once the content becomes How-To videos that require a subscription, you’ve gone one step too far in my opinion (and squeezed the consumer a tad too much).

Look at the success of Fab 5, it was built on the back of a huge effort to provide free value. Which builds goodwill and loyalty, and results in great products. The flywheel goes on…

Kirby doesn’t deserve as much s**t as he gets, but he deserves some s**t. Goes with the territory I’m afraid.

[El Presidente]

I have been beaten to the market by Kirby and I sincerely wish him well. 

We will be launching our own similar concept shortly. 

 

 

 

 

[Li Bai]

13 hours ago, BigGuns said:

Now the cost structure is starting to make sense…need to pay all those wages. That notwithstanding, I’m having a hard time figuring out who this is for? All the information one needs can be found from so many different sources on the web or in books, not the least of which you have maintained and given the world in both forms! CCW, this forum, podcasts, YouTube videos, hell, CA even provides good and interesting information from time to time (see Montecristo article from Dec 2025 issue).

There are so many resources out there that one could…I dunno…light up a cigar, escape for a bit, and browse on something as convenient as their phone! Novel idea, and I’m not sure you’d need a “how to cut and light a cigar” tutorial from someone in a Saville-tailored suit from an overproduced video that comes with a $30/mo minimum (forced as an annual commitment, btw) to get there.  

The grift is what bothers me - Rob could easily charge for membership here, George could easily put the podcast or content behind a paywall, you could easily solicit donations Wikipedia-style for the unfathomable amount of effort and time you and Trevor have put into CCW, and people would gladly pay. But you don’t, because that’s not what this hobby is all about.

I can’t imagine this being successful, so I suppose it is the audacity of the attempt that bothers me. Perhaps it depends on how many lazy people are out there with money to burn that find gratification in overproduced Cliff notes (Spark notes for you yungins). C’est la vie….

I’m a little disappointed in myself - I just wanted to talk a little trash about the cost and not get all heated up…rant over.  Carry on…
 

I couldn't agree more, not to mention the fact that they didn't ask for your permission @ATGroom...

[BigGuns]

9 hours ago, Li Bai said:

I couldn't agree more, not to mention the fact that they didn't ask for your permission@ATGroom...

I was thinking the same. My guess is that the initial video interview came with some paperwork along the lines of rights to use on existing and future platforms.

[LizardGizmo]

18 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

I have been beaten to the market by Kirby and I sincerely wish him well. 

We will be launching our own similar concept shortly. 

I'd pay for a year up front at $50/month for this one.

[carsncigarsuk]

It's definitely a con.

[ATGroom]

9 hours ago, Li Bai said:

I couldn't agree more, not to mention the fact that they didn't ask for your permission@ATGroom.... 

I agreed to the video and I'm sure I signed a release.

The "surprise" I was referring to was just that I am listed first after Kirby, so under the heading "Our Cigar Masters" you just see Eddie Sahakian, Kirby and myself, and have to scroll for others. At a casual glance it seems like I'm one of the main guys.

My understanding is that they have two types of videos - the formal course which is lectures on specific subjects, and then "interludes" which is more casual interviews and entertainment type things. They asked me to do a course, but as you may be aware if you've seen anything I've ever done, I am a bit of an obsessive, so if I was going to do something like that I would want to do it properly and would do research and slides and retake it until I got it right, etc, etc. As they weren't offering to pay for it, it didn't seem like a good investment of 100 hours, so I did the interlude instead. There were others who shot multiple courses and contributed a lot more than I did. Would have thought one of those would be at the top of the marquee.

Anyway, knowing how these things work, I'm sure it's more a random accident from their web designer than a Machiavellian attempt to exploit the Groom name. Everyone involved is a friend, and I wish them well.