Cigar Masters: A Cinematic Journey Into the World of Fine Cigars

 

 

Every cigar begins as a story—rooted in the soil, nurtured by climate, and perfected by generations of skilled hands. Yet, for the discerning aficionado, the true depth of a cigar’s character goes far beyond the smoke. Understanding the artistry of cultivation, blending, aging, and ritual requires time, experience, and insight. 

The Cigar Masters was created to bring that insight together in one extraordinary experience. This is not a series of casual tutorials or fleeting tips—it is a masterclass in cigar culture, uniting the world’s most respected figures in a structured, cinematic journey through the traditions, techniques, and personalities that define fine cigars. 

Filmed across iconic cigar regions with production values worthy of a documentary, the platform immerses you in the craft, inviting you to move beyond simply smoking cigars. Here, every draw, every aroma, every detail is illuminated—revealing the stories and expertise that make each cigar exceptional. 

. The Cigar Masters was created to bring that knowledge together in one place, presenting it as a premium online education platform that unites respected figures from across the cigar world in a series of masterclass chapters. Rather than offering quick tutorials or casual discussions, the program approaches cigar culture with the same care and depth that define the craft itself, offering a structured journey into the traditions, techniques, and personalities that shape the world of fine cigars. Filmed across notable cigar destinations with cinematic production quality, the platform invites enthusiasts to move beyond merely smoking cigars, encouraging them to understand the many elements that make each cigar extraordinary. 

At the heart of Cigar Masters are its three founders: Kirby Allison, Adam Sax, and Eddie Sahakian. Kirby Allison is widely recognized as an entrepreneur, filmmaker, and ambassador of craftsmanship, luxury, and cigar culture, sharing the art of cigars with hundreds of thousands through his YouTube channel. Adam Sax is a private collector, entrepreneur, and visionary co-founder shaping the educational platform for a global audience. Eddie Sahakian, co-owner of Davidoff of London and head of the Edward Sahakian Cigar Shop and Lounge at the Bulgari Hotel in London, brings decades of experience as the Head Master guiding the course. Together, the founders share a common goal: to preserve and share knowledge that has long been passed down informally among cigar professionals and aficionados. 

Cigar Masters also features a diverse group of experts, representing the depth and breadth of the cigar world. Among them are Alexander Groom, archivist and steward of the world’s most comprehensive Cuban cigar reference resource; Mitchell Orchant, founder of C.Gars Ltd and one of the UK’s most influential figures in cigar retail and vintage auctions; Klaas Kelner, master blender and third-generation steward of one of the Dominican Republic’s most influential tobacco legacies; Ajay Patel, celebrated London tobacconist, La Casa del Habano pioneer, and one of the world’s most respected collectors; Nick Foulkes, author, historian, and influential cultural commentator on cigars, luxury, and society; Daria Spitsyna, Habanos specialist and educator within Vietnam’s La Casa del Habano community; Raúl Bravo, Cuban spirits expert and global Brand Manager of Eminente Rum; Usman Dawood, editor-in-chief, critic, and leading analytical voice in modern cigar media; Hassan Al Tamimi, aficionado and competitor recognized as one of Kuwait’s most prominent cigar personalities; Eric Piras, international cigar consultant and entrepreneurial force behind the Confidenciaal brand; Rob Fox, fifth-generation custodian of James J. Fox, London’s historic cigar merchant; Carl-Wilhelm Hjelmborn, modern distributor and founder of Nordic Leaf Cigars, bringing premium tobacco culture to Scandinavia; and Alex Stipcic, influencer, educator, and leading communicator of Cuban cigar culture. This collaborative group ensures that the platform explores cigars not only as products but as a cultural tradition spanning continents and generations. 

A defining characteristic of Cigar Masters is its cinematic approach to education. Rather than confining the learning experience to studio lectures, the program travels to locations where cigar culture thrives—where tobacco is cultivated, cigars are rolled, and enthusiasts gather. Across more than twenty-five hours of professionally produced content, the platform explores a wide range of topics that reveal the complexity behind a single cigar, including tobacco cultivation and terroir, fermentation and aging, the art of blending, vitolas and cigar construction, tasting and evaluation, pairing with spirits and coffee, identifying counterfeits, and the culture of cigar lounges and retail. By examining each stage of a cigar’s journey—from seed to smoke—the masterclass offers a deep understanding of the craftsmanship that defines premium cigars. 

Designed as a subscription-based platform, Cigar Masters allows members to explore content at their own pace. Launched with over twenty-five hours of video, the platform continues to expand with new chapters, growing alongside the cigar world itself and adding fresh voices and perspectives. Enthusiasts can also engage with coursework and take an examination leading to official Cigar Masters certification, formalising their learning and testing their knowledge. The result is not merely a collection of videos but a living educational resource dedicated to the craft and culture of cigars. 

For centuries, cigar knowledge has lived in personal exchanges between growers, blenders, retailers, collectors, and mentors, guiding new enthusiasts discovering their first great smoke. Cigar Masters seeks to capture that knowledge and share it in a modern, cinematic format, combining storytelling with the insights of respected industry figures. From the soil where tobacco grows to the quiet ritual of lighting a finished cigar, the platform offers cigar lovers a rare opportunity to explore the craft in depth. For those who believe that enjoying a cigar is about more than the smoke itself, Cigar Masters opens the door to a deeper understanding of the traditions, craftsmanship, and people behind the world’s finest cigars. For more stories exploring the culture, craft, and community of cigars, continue discovering the world of premium tobacco here on Cigar Keep.

Watch the introductory video here.