EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW — HAUKE “ICEMAN” WALTER: MASTERING THE ART OF SLOW SMOKING

As the CSWC 2025 season by Oliva Cigars enters full swing across the globe, one major name is still preparing to enter the stage — and the entire slow-smoking world is watching.

Hauke Walter, known as “ICEMAN”, will step into this year’s competition on June 21st at the much-anticipated CSWC Germany Qualifier, held at Düsseldorf’s famous Cigar World Lounge.

The German master holds a unique place in CSWC history. He is the only competitor to have captured three World Champion titles, and the only man ever to defend the title twice in a row. His name is etched in the record books with some of the greatest performances the sport has ever seen.

Ahead of his 2025 debut, CSWCNews spoke with Hauke in an exclusive pre-season interview, exploring his mindset, his most unforgettable moments, and his expectations as he prepares for what may become yet another legendary campaign.

1. Your Unexpected Advantage

Many focus on technique, but is there something unusual about your approach that gives you an edge over other competitors?

Hauke:

I wouldn't necessarily call it an advantage, but I don't concentrate on the technique, more on the cigar. Every cigar is unique, you can't stick to a set procedure. We saw this at the last final.

2. Most Unforgettable Moment

What is the most surprising or unforgettable thing that has happened to you during a CSWC competition?

Hauke:

Actually, there were two moments: the first was in 2018 at the German preliminary round, when I wanted to put out my cigar because I had won and Marco screamed in horror, "no, no, no". Back then, I had the chance to break the world record at the time, but since I was a newcomer, I was only interested in the success of having won the German preliminary round. At the big final that followed, which I also won, I was so impressed that I could hardly say a word.

3. The Toughest Battle

Who has been your most challenging opponent so far, and what made that match so intense?

Hauke:

Every final is harder than the one before, the expectations get higher and higher. Anyone who ends up sitting at the table in Croatia has what it takes to become world champion. You see this every time you look at the top ten of each year. It is clear that one or the other is particularly in focus, but the most dangerous are those who end up sitting alone at the table and who no one was focusing on.

4. The Oliva Expectations

The new Oliva competition cigar is about to be revealed. What are your expectations for it, and how do you think switching to a new cigar might shake up the competition?

Hauke:

My expectations that it tastes good. Also that I can hold it just as well as its predecessors. But jokes aside, every new cigar also brings new opportunities and with it new, or even old, faces on the world stage.

Note: At the time of this interview, Hauke had not yet tested the new Oliva competition cigar — making the upcoming Germany qualifier on June 21st a true moment of both preparation and adaptation for the reigning master.

5. The Ultimate Opponent

If you could go head-to-head in a dream CSWC match against anyone in history — a legendary smoker, a celebrity, or even a fictional character — who would you choose and why?

Hauke:

I have to defeat the ultimate opponent anew every time I smoke, my own head! But I would be delighted to sit at the table this year with Igor, Darren (the two had great duels for the world record in 2019), and Oleg (he outclassed me in the final in 2019 because I was too busy with myself and under a lot of pressure). Anastasia has also become a very nice opponent to me, as she really challenged me in the last two finals.

As CSWC Germany prepares for its decisive qualifier, the question remains open — can the ICEMAN once again impose his will on both cigar and clock?

For now, one truth is certain: until Hauke Walter lights that first cigar in Düsseldorf, the race for the 2025 crown remains unwritten — and history may yet have another chapter to add.