What is a Connoisseur Pre-Roll

"Connoisseur" means different things in different contexts. For producers and consumers of pre-rolls, connoisseur is a general term used to distinguish quality. In other words, a product with a connoisseur label means something has been done or added to the product to elevate it above a standard version of that product. This can mean that there is something special about how the cannabis has been grown, how it was processed, or how the finished cannabis product is constructed. For data collecting purposes, our friends at Headset define connoisseur pre-rolls as pre-rolls that have been infused with concentrate. This is an effective way to isolate a segment group, but pre-rolls are the most customizable product in the cannabis market. Adding concentrate is just one way to elevate a pre-roll into the connoisseur category. Here’s a few examples of how you can elevate your pre-rolls to a connoisseur level. 

Upgrade the Cannabis Material

At its core, pre-rolls are a flower product. The quality of pre-rolls has been steadily rising over the years, so simply using full-flower material isn’t going to impress enough consumers enough to warrant a connoisseur label. If you want to create a connoisseur pre-roll that only contains flower, you are going to need to grow or source flower that is of itself considered connoisseur, and even then, you are probably going to want to upgrade the rolling paper or filter you use to help let the customer know it’s special. 

Something also should be said about infused pre-rolls. Whereas infused pre-rolls can be considered connoisseur, they are becoming so popular with consumers that they are becoming commonplace. Similar to flower, special attention can be paid to the type of oil that is put into a pre-roll that can push it into the connoisseur category. Distillate does a great job of upping the THC percentage, but it lacks the chemical diversity that is required to be considered a high-quality concentrate. So, if you are planning on putting “connoisseur” in your pre-roll marketing, make sure you are putting in an oil that can live up to the name.

Upgrade the Pre-Roll Materials

One of the interesting parts about the pre-roll product segment is that it is both a cannabis product as well as a consumption method. In other words, the producer has decisions when it comes to the cannabis material as well as the vehicle that allows that flower to be consumed. Standard pre rolled cones are made with a paper crutch and refined white rolling paper, and they come packaged in a plastic pop-top tube. This setup is economical and designed to let the cannabis material do the heavy lifting, but there are also ways to upgrade each part to elevate it into the connoisseur category. 

● Paper Types: If you want to use something other than the standard refined white rolling papers, you can choose between natural brown, or organic hemp. The natural brown paper is a slightly less refined version of the refined white rolling papers. It offers a similar feel and experience but with a natural brown look. Organic hemp rolling papers are like the natural brown, but instead of being made from wood pulp, they are made from organic hemp. You can also use hemp blunt wraps, which are noticeably thicker than the previously described papers. They are more temperamental to work with, given their sensitivity to moisture, but they give a look and feel that is closer to a cigar than a joint. 

● Filter Types: Standard filter tips are essentially a crutch. The folded paper inside the crutch does a decent job of keeping larger particulates from getting through, but there are better options. Firstly, you can get a paper filter that is spiral-shaped. This creates a better filter than the folded paper tips and offers a more pleasing aesthetic. If you are looking for something more eye-catching, you can get a filter tip made from wood, glass, or ceramic. Not only do these filter tips look amazing, but they also contribute to the enjoyment of the product. Unlike paper filter tips, these won’t get soggy, and they help cool the smoke to provide a smoother experience.  

● Packaging: Upgrading packaging can help preserve your pre-rolls, but it can also be the thing that sets your pre-rolls apart from the hundreds of other ones on the shelf in the dispensary. If you want something more than a pop-top plastic tube for your pre-rolls, you can go with a glass tube that is topped with a cork or silicone cap. There are also plastic tubes that are designed to work with premium caps. There are a lot of options to pick from, so take some time to make sure it complements the pre-roll you are creating. The last thing you want is to create a connoisseur pre-roll and put it in a package that doesn’t convey that idea to customers. 

Closing Thoughts

Connoisseur means that a lot of thought went into making a product. It means that the product goes beyond the ordinary when it comes to quality. Because of this, connoisseur products will carry a high price tag—a daring move for pre-roll producers in this competitive market. Not only do you need to convince someone to fork up the additional cash, but you also need your product to live up to that customer’s expectations, so they want to buy it again.

Custom Cones USA offers everything you need to make sure your connoisseur pre-rolls will look the part and provide an enjoyable smoking experience. To easily browse our packaging tubes and caps, check out our packaging tool, and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our Pre-Roll Experts. They have the expertise you can count on to get your connoisseur pre-roll looking great on the shelf.