Missouri’s Best Buds: The Connoisseur Pack Flower Tournament

Most folks in the Missouri cannabis community already know about the Connoisseur Pack, a blind taste-test challenge that’s become a local favorite. But what you might not know are the behind-the-scene details of their upcoming Connoisseur Pack Flower Tournament Series. I sat down with Aaron Childs, the brain behind Cannabis Cult, to break down everything you need to know about this unique competition and why it’s something you won’t want to miss.

What is the Connoisseur Pack?

The Connoisseur Pack is a challenge similar to the classic Pepsi challenge. Each pack features four cannabis brands competing with their best products, allowing consumers to judge without knowing which brand is which. This setup creates an even playing field and helps consumers discover new strains.

How do participants rate the strains?

Each jar has a QR code that takes patients to a unique survey for that strain. They rate the strains based on structure, freshness, aroma, flavor, smoothness, and effects on a 1-10 scale. This unbiased feedback highlights the true quality of each product. We’ve found that averaging these scores provides a fair and accurate assessment of the strain’s overall quality. The more people that rate the strain, the better the feedback we can provide to help others find a strain that suits their needs.

What divisions exist within the Connoisseur Pack?

Currently, there are flower, rosin, and live resin divisions. Edible and pre-roll packs are coming soon. 

How are champions determined in the Connoisseur Pack?

After the inaugural pack in each division, the brand with the highest rating is crowned the champion of that division and can defend their title in subsequent packs, similar to MMA or boxing championship fights.

What is the Connoisseur Pack Tournament Series?

It’s a competitive series of events where brands showcase their best strains and receive feedback from customers. The tournament spans the next four flower division packs, with the first three serving as divisional rounds. The highest-rated strain in each pack advances to the final championship round.

Why should consumers participate?

Consumers can try new strains at a great price, judge each strain, and help decide which brand advances. It’s a unique way to experience different forms, tastes, and effects of various cannabis products and analyze its effects on your cannabinoid system.

What benefits do brands gain from participating?

I love the fact that one of the most popular brands in the state can compete with a lesser-known brand, giving the underdog a chance for a Rocky-style upset or allowing the more well-known brand to remind people why they’re so popular. Brands receive invaluable feedback, gain recognition, and have the opportunity to make a lasting impression, which is crucial for refining products and enhancing customer satisfaction.

What rules are in place to ensure there is an even playing field?

   

Cannabis Cult has zero ties to specific cannabis companies, allowing us to maintain the integrity of the competition and let the quality of the products shine. We’ve implemented strict guidelines to ensure the competition’s legitimacy, including:

• No Product Alteration: Brands cannot add terpenes, kief, or use humidity packs.
• Confidentiality: Brands must keep their unique CP# confidential to prevent vote influence.
• Employee Participation: Brands are encouraged not to have employees participate in ratings.
• Pack ID Verification: Each pack has a unique ID to ensure ratings are submitted by actual purchasers.

How has the community responded to these events?

I knew there was a market for this type of competition when the last live resin pack we did in March sold out in 24 hours. The momentum is incredible and is accomplishing exactly what we set out to do, which is to give all brands the opportunity to get their products in front of consumers. 

Editor’s note: I reached out to past participants, Local Cannabis and Cloud Cover, and asked about their experience with the Connoisseur Pack. Here’s what they had to say:

Tyler Pugh, COO, Calyx Peak (Local Cannabis): “The Connoisseur Pack Tournament was a game-changer for us. Our brand’s visibility increased, and we captured a bigger share of voice in the industry. People are really connecting with our hand-chosen, award-winning cultivars, grown with passion and strain-specific practices. The buzz from the tournament translated into stronger sales and a deeper appreciation for the quality we deliver. We’re just getting started—watch as we continue to push the boundaries of craft cannabis and reach even more enthusiasts across the Show-Me state.”

Jason Scherer, VP of Sales, C3 Industries (Cloud Cover): “We see the Connoisseur Pack as a great opportunity to showcase the Cloud Cover brand in a tourney amongst its peers. This state has some great cultivators, and competing with them in an event that’s the right combination of fun and meaningful is a good fit for Cloud Cover. We love the way it engages our consumers and puts the voting in their hands. Growing and creating products that resonate with the market is why we’re in this business in the first place.

I had heard that Cloud Cover made a t-shirt celebrating their second-place award for their Detroit Runtz strain. I tracked down a picture for proof, and it’s even cooler than I thought.

What is the significance of the Connoisseur Pack Tournament?

The tournament is a celebration of quality and craftsmanship in the Missouri cannabis industry. It’s an opportunity for brands to stand out, for consumers to enjoy and judge top-tier strains, and for the community to come together in appreciation of exceptional cannabis products.

How did the idea for the Connoisseur Pack Tournament come about?

The idea was inspired after Local Cannabis went undefeated in the first three flower packs. To add excitement, a summer tournament series was launched, featuring twelve brands competing in four packs, with winners advancing to a championship pack. Which brand will take the top spot? We’re just as excited to find out as our contestants are.

As an entrepreneur in the Missouri cannabis industry, I absolutely love seeing engaging ideas like this come to life. For more information and updates on exclusive releases like the Connoisseur Pack, visit CannabisCult.co. I’ve been informed that one spot is open for the September division of the flower tournament, so reach out to Aaron if your brand is interested in participating. I also know that Aaron and his team are really trying to expand their reach, so be on the lookout for wider availability and possibly a Missouri micro-business pack in the future as well. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from Cannabis Cult as they take the Missouri cannabis scene to the next level!

Tim Pickett is an accomplished brand builder and the owner and founder of GreenFrame, an app that allows customers and budtenders to interact with cannabis products, examine its characteristics in 3D, and learn all about a single product with the scan of a QR code. With over 25 years of experience in marketing and branding and a proven track record of successful process and product launches, Tim now focuses on empowering like-minded colleagues and patients with interactive product information to aid in their journeys of wellness through cannabis.