IACS’ Cigar Sommelier Certificate - Does it worth it?

[shokao]

In January 28 and 29 there will be a IACS Cigar Sommelier Course. It will be $600 for the course, with cigars and spirits included.

This is the info right from their website:

Quote

The IACS’ Cigar Sommelier Certificate is the most internationally recognized cigar education degree. IACS faculty members have participated as main speakers in the three major cigar festivals worldwide (Nicaragua, Dominican Republic and Cuba).

Upon successful completion of the Cigar Sommelier programs, you will become a member of the IACS, which will provide access to exclusive material for continuous education in our learning platform, discounts, referral programs for career opportunities and exclusive benefits. You will not only graduate with a certificate that designates you as an expert in the cigar service, you will become a part of a community of BOTLs and SOTLs around the globe that strive to help each other grow.

I was thinking about it but I don't know anyone who has ever atended to it. Any thoughts? Feel free to be totally honest about it.

I just don't want to spend 600 bucks in something useless or overrated. 

I appreciatte your attention!

EDIT:

It's in person at a Cigar Lounge Club in Sao Paulo, Brazil. January 28 and 29, from 9am to 7pm.

[BrightonCorgi]

What would you do with the accreditation?  Are you in the hospitality or feed/beverage industry?  Unless this is needed to further your career; it's not worth it.  Everything they teach is free online if you just want to know about it.

If you want to attend professional/industry expos, you could register a food or cigar related domain and create a one page website and email for less than $600.

[shokao]

3 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

What would you do with the accreditation?  Are you in the hospitality or feed/beverage industry?  Unless this is needed to further your career; it's not worth it.  Everything they teach is free online if you just want to know about it.

If you want to attend professional/industry expos, you could register a food or cigar related domain and create a one page website and email for less than $600.

Nothing specific. I just like to study, specially things that I love like cigars. My intention is to learn from people who know better, socialize and enjoy the experience.

Would be great to hear someone who has experience in such events to see if it's worth. 

[BrightonCorgi]

3 minutes ago, shokao said:

Nothing specific. I just like to study, specially things that I love like cigars. My intention is to learn from people who know better, socialize and enjoy the experience.

Would be great to hear someone who has experience in such events to see if it's worth. 

Unless it was taught in person, I don't see much value in $600 for their content itself. 

[shokao]

3 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Unless it was taught in person, I don't see much value in $600 for their content itself. 

Oh, I forgot to tell you guys that. It is in person at a Cigar Lounge Club in Sao Paulo. From 9am to 7pm on Saturday and Sunday (28-29/01)

[jakebarnes]

I hear  if you do they H&F one they give you a cool pin if you pass. If I got it, I'd make sure the pin was affixed at all times when I went to the lounge. I'd also do a lot of throat clearing and indirectly gesture to it so people would have to ask me about it. "Oh, this old thing? Yes, yes, you see, I am a MASTER of Habanos."

[Cigar Surgeon]

Unless the course was 6 months and included hundreds of different tobacco types I don't see how anyone coming out of that course could be truly considered a Cigar Sommelier.  It could take a month for most dedicated smokers to be able to pick out the flavor characteristics and aromas from the major producing regions of Nicaragua alone.

But it's probably a lot of fun.

[cigaraholic]

I need to see pictures of the instructors 🧜‍♀️

[shokao]

25 minutes ago, Cigar Surgeon said:

Unless the course was 6 months and included hundreds of different tobacco types I don't see how anyone coming out of that course could be truly considered a Cigar Sommelier.  It could take a month for most dedicated smokers to be able to pick out the flavor characteristics and aromas from the major producing regions of Nicaragua alone.

But it's probably a lot of fun.

You do have a point. Seems to be little time to all the contents and variety of tobacco and such. I also think it could be fun but haven't figured out if it's $600 worth of fun... 

[BrightonCorgi]

I have a friend in wine industry and she did a similar course, but it ended being mostly about cigar service and general cigar history/knowledge.  No blind smokes guessing which finca the tobacco is from.

[Puros Y Vino]

2 hours ago, Cigar Surgeon said:

Unless the course was 6 months and included hundreds of different tobacco types I don't see how anyone coming out of that course could be truly considered a Cigar Sommelier.  It could take a month for most dedicated smokers to be able to pick out the flavor characteristics and aromas from the major producing regions of Nicaragua alone.

But it's probably a lot of fun.

Yeah. The Habanos' one makes more sense as it is a closed environment.

[Midas]

The accreditation awarded probably won’t count for much but it sounds like a good weekend. Whether it’s worth $600 is another question


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk