CSWC BY OLIVA CIGARS: DREW EMCH MAKES HISTORY IN PRINCETON – FOUR-TIME CHAMPION, ONE FINAL PROMISE

The American road to Split came to a dramatic conclusion in the shadowy, leather-clad elegance of At the Earth’s End cigar parlour in Princeton, where history was made, rivalries rekindled, and legends sharpened their edges for the world stage.

The curtain fell on the 2025 CSWC by Oliva Cigars U.S. tour with a thunderclap of cigar smoke and suspense at At the Earth’s End, the elegant and intimate cigar parlour in Princeton, New Jersey. And in a setting as evocative as its name, history was written. Drew Emch, a man who’s been synonymous with consistency and nerves of steel, claimed his fourth consecutive U.S. National Championship title in an emphatic show of precision and control.

But this wasn’t just a defense — it was a statement.

With the pressure mounting from a fiercely talented field that included last year’s comeback queen Christina Bartnikowski and emerging contender Eddie Lankas, Emch delivered exactly what champions do under fire: clarity, calm, and a perfect 2-hour time, asserting dominance without even hitting his upper limit.

“He said he’s keeping the real surprise for the Grand Final,” says CSWC founder Marko Bilić, who was present at the event. “But he said that last year too… and he finished tenth.”

This line drew laughs from the crowd, but also lit a fire of curiosity. Because Emch — despite owning the national stage — still hasn’t conquered the world. Could this be the year he delivers not only his best performance, but the performance of a lifetime?

THE REMATCH THAT SPARKED THE ROOM

All eyes were on Emch and Bartnikowski. Their duel at last year’s final was legendary — a difference of mere seconds decided the crown. This year, fans hoped for another nail-biter. And while the drama remained, the outcome was different.

Bartnikowski held strong for 1 hour and 37 minutes, an impressive time in any tournament, but not enough to catch Emch’s smooth, even tempo. Still, her grace and tenacity earned her another well-deserved podium finish — third place.

Between them stood Eddie Lankas, the rising star from Lincoln, Nebraska, who has gained a loyal fan base through his charisma and increasingly powerful results. His 1:42:46 time confirmed that he's no longer just a prospect — he’s a serious contender for the world stage.

THE NEW FORMAT THAT CHANGED THE GAME

The 2025 U.S. CSWC season was historic in more ways than one. This was the first year without a traditional U.S. final event. Instead, the national title was awarded to the best time recorded across any official U.S. qualifying event.

This shift changed the rhythm of the competition. Every second in every qualifier now mattered. There was no safety net — and Emch, ever the tactician, adjusted accordingly.

“With thrilling battles, surprise champions, and a bold new format, the 2025 U.S. CSWC tour didn’t just raise the bar,” Bilić says. “It redefined excellence in slow smoking.”

THE ROAD TO SPLIT BEGINS NOW

The eyes of the cigar world now turn to Split, Croatia, where the CSWC Grand Final by Oliva Cigars will take place from August 29–31. The competition will feature national champions from over 50 countries — the best of the best — battling for the most prestigious title in the cigar world: World Champion of Slow Smoking.

And Drew Emch? He’s heading to Split with four national titles, a growing legacy, and a promise — to finally deliver the performance that will bring the world crown back to the U.S.

Will 2025 be the year he lights up the world? Stay tuned.

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