In September 2021, Habanos experts Fernando Fernandez Millan (master sommelier, Cuba) and Gabriel Estrada (Hombre Habano 2019, Argentina), supported by Alexandre Avellar (Hombre Habano 2020, Brazil) and Jose Miguel Salvador (Habanos Sommelier contest jury, Chile), launched a much-needed online Habanos Sommelier introductory course geared exclusively for the growing Latin American cigar smoking segment.<\/p>\n
The course is divided in ten 3-hour master classes, starting on September 8th<\/sup> and ending on November 10th<\/sup> 2021, and is delivered via lively and participative online ZOOM sessions accompanied by cigar tastings and pairings.\u00a0 According to Estrada, the course designed to serve as an introduction to the extensive world of Cuban cigars as well as the art of pairing Habanos with spirits and cocktails.\u00a0 Also important to note here, and different than some of the other online cigar sommelier courses available, is that the course deals exclusively with Habanos, SA products and does not cover any off-Cuba cigars.<\/p>\n The program curriculum covers a complete study of the Habanos vitolario and in every class, explores a specific Cuban brand as well as recommended pairings for its flavor and strength range. The course covers both regular production as well as other editions such as A\u00f1ejados, Maduros, and Limited Editions.<\/p>\n Estrada noted that they plan to launch a second edition of the course later in 2021, likely in a Spanish\/English format.<\/p>\n For a similar analysis of the International Cigar Sommelier (IACS) and the Tobacconist University online courses, click here for Cigar Journal\u2019s July 2021 article titled: \u201cSTUDYING PAYS OFF\u201d (INSERT HYPERLINK)<\/p>\n