CSWC and Oliva have crafted something truly special, and this cigar is poised to leave its mark on both the competition stage and the wider cigar community.
The anticipation surrounding the new CSWC Oliva Competition Cigar has been immense, and after multiple tastings, the verdict is in—this cigar is nothing short of extraordinary. Developed in collaboration between the Cigar Smoking World Championship (CSWC) and Oliva, this competition cigar has been meticulously crafted to provide both a thrilling challenge for slow-smoking competitors and an exceptional smoking experience for aficionados worldwide.
Superb Construction & Performance
This conclusion comes after several intensive tastings conducted by the CSWC team, which included some of the best Croatian slow smokers as actual Croatian Champion Ivan Zizic along with Marko Bilić, the founder of CSWC.
Right from the first light, the cigar displays remarkable craftsmanship. The perfectly balanced 129mm length and 42 ring gauge allow for a seamless draw and an impressively consistent burn —the cigar revealed its true potential.
The ash is almost unreal in its perfection, holding firm.
A steady burn line ensures a controlled smoking pace, a crucial factor in slow smoking competitions.
In some phases, the cigar burns slower than expected, while in others, it picks up pace, and it is faster - particularly in the opening section—offering an exciting challenge for competitors.
Flavor Profile: Balance Meets Power
The blend, still a closely guarded secret, delivers a beautifully balanced, mid-minus strength profile in the first two-thirds, ensuring a smooth yet flavorful journey. However, as the final third approaches, the cigar ramps slightly up in intensity, offering a more complex finish.
After pushing the cigar to its limits in both blend tastings and slow smoking trials, the first average competition times recorded are around 2 hours and 35 minutes—a strong indicator that this cigar is built for endurance.
Expert Endorsements
Following these in-depth tastings, CSWC founder Marko Bilić shared his excitement:
“More than satisfied—we have a winning combination here. I can’t wait for this beauty to go global, giving not just great competition excitement to competitors but also great pleasure in taste and superior quality to all cigar aficionados.”
Actual Croatian Champion, Croatian Record holder and one of the top 20 best smokers of all times - Ivan Zizic also praised the cigar’s potential:
“For me personally, my favorite competition cigar yet. It will be very interesting to adjust my skills and knowledge of slow smoking to this piece of art and see how much we can reach together.”
Flavor Profile: A Study in Balance
The first draws introduce an elegantly restrained strength, placing the cigar in the mild-to-medium range at the outset. The profile is beautifully balanced, with an understated complexity that rewards slow, deliberate smoking.
Oliva’s Commitment to Excellence
Marko Bilić has already been in direct contact with Oliva headquarters, sharing the overwhelmingly positive feedback from early tastings. In response, Oliva expressed their enthusiasm, stating that they are happy with the results so far but eager to receive further feedback from additional tastings. Their commitment remains firm—to ensure that this cigar delivers the absolute best in quality, consistency, and competition performance, as they always do.
With its impeccable construction, evolving strength, and a thrilling burn pace, the CSWC Oliva Competition Cigar is set to become a benchmark in the world of competitive cigar smoking. Whether you’re an elite slow-smoking competitor or simply an aficionado seeking superior quality, this cigar is poised to impress on every level.
Stay tuned, as the journey of this masterpiece is only beginning!