Become a Certified Cigar Ambassador

✓ Module 1 – Tobacco and origins: the plant, its seed lines and ten producing origins, including the Habanos DOP ✓ Module 2 – From field to bale: sun and shade, priming, volado, seco and ligero, curing, fermentation and ageing ✓ Module 3 – Construction and formats: wrapper, binder and filler, handmade vs machine-made, shapes, sizes and ring gauge ✓ Module 4 – Sensory evaluation without smoking: the AWS Cigar Sensory Grid, the cold draw and the ten aroma families ✓ Module 5 – Storage, faults and preparation: humidors, 65–70% RH, plume vs mould, beetles, cutting and safe lighting ✓ Module 6 – Service, pairing and responsible hospitality: the service sequence, three questions, pairing, health facts, age and the law

Bartenders, servers, sommeliers and beverage managers; hotel, resort, beach club and private-club teams; cigar lounge, duty-free and retail staff; yacht and villa crews; and adults who want structured, credible cigar knowledge. No experience needed. You must be of legal age to buy tobacco where you live (for example 18 in the Cayman Islands, 21 in the USA). No smoking is required at any point. Liquid Lively Fun – One Glass at a Time. Prefer a classroom? The Certified Cigar Ambassador™ is also taught in person as an 8-hour class (US$295), for individuals and for hotel, restaurant and bar teams. Ask at [email protected].

How long does it take? About 8 hours in total. Study at your own pace, on any device, and pause whenever you like. You have 6 months' access from enrolment. Do I need any experience? No. There's no prerequisite. The AWS Intro to Cigars – Certified Cigar Explorer™ is a good first step, but it isn't required. How does the exam work? The final exam has 30 multiple-choice questions covering all six modules. Allow about 40 minutes. You need 70% (21 correct answers) to pass. Each module also has a five-question practice knowledge check. What if I don't pass the first time? You get one free retake: two attempts in total. Do I have to smoke? No. The course can be completed without smoking at all. You evaluate cigars unlit (look, touch, aroma and cold draw), take an inexpensive cigar apart, and train your nose with a DIY aroma kit. Lighting is explained so you can serve guests safely, but you are never asked to light a cigar. Is there an age requirement? Yes. You must be of legal age to buy tobacco where you live (for example 18 in the Cayman Islands, 21 in the USA). Do I need to buy cigars? We recommend four inexpensive practice cigars from a licensed tobacconist; the "what to buy" list explains what to ask for, and a budget option needs just two. AWS does not ship tobacco. Is smoking cigars safe? No. Cigars are not a safe alternative to cigarettes, and there is no safe level of tobacco smoke (WHO, CDC, NCI). This course teaches professional knowledge and responsible service. Do I get a certificate? Yes. Pass the final exam to receive your Certified Cigar Ambassador™ certificate from the Academy of Wine & Spirits, signed by Christian Esser, Director of Education. The course is CPD-accredited through the UK CPD Certification Service. Can I take it in person, or train my whole team? Yes. The in-person class is 8 hours, US$295. Email [email protected] or call +1 (345) 938 0458. What's next? Certified Cognac Ambassador™ and Certified Armagnac Ambassador™, our sister courses, give you the pairing knowledge to match.