FRIEDENTHAL DEFENDS TITLE AND TAKES AUSTRIA TO THE TOP

With Friedenthal holding his position among the best in the world, and new Austrian names climbing fast, Austria has firmly secured its place among the CSWC nations to watch in 2025.

Firing up time — CSWC Austria begins its slow smoking battle.

In a competition defined by control, focus, and the slow mastery of flame, Austria’s CSWC 2025 Qualifier delivered one of the most impressive results of the season so far—led by a name already etched into the legacy of the championship.

A living legend — Daniel earns his fifth CSWC Austria crown, securing his place as one of the most decorated champions in CSWC history.

Daniel Friedenthal, owner of one of Vienna’s most respected cigar shops and now a 5 time-time Austrian Champion, posted a staggering smoking time of 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 2 seconds. With this result, Friedenthal not only defended his national title, but vaulted Austria into the upper tier of the CSWC by Oliva Cigars Top 20 list for the 2025 season.

Standing proud: winner of the Tirol round alongside CSWC Austria main judge Mirko Ivanic and Oliva legend Thomas Gryson.

Even more impressively, his time now places him at #11 on the all-time Top 20 CSWC list—a hall of fame that spans over 15 years of global competition and is reserved for the most elite smokers in the world.

“He’s not just a great smoker,” said Marko Bilic. “He’s one of the greats—period.”

The competition, judged and organized by long-time CSWC partner Mirko Ivanic, was a smooth, well-run affair that brought the Austrian cigar community together in full force. The crowd witnessed not only Friedenthal’s brilliance but also breakthrough performances from two new names on the Austrian podium.

Oliver Vala (first on the left), former Champion of Austria — the only competitor to have ever taken victory from Daniel."

Vice Champion 2025 Darko Ankic-Vrijanski — focused during the lighting-up stage.

Darko Ankic-Vrijanski delivered an outstanding performance to finish second with 1:43:00, while Clemens Eberhard rounded out the top three with a focused and composed 1:38:00. For both, this marks their first appearance in Austria’s national Top 3, and a clear sign that new contenders are rising to challenge the veteran elite.

The event, part of the global Cigar Smoking World Championship by Oliva Cigars, was supported by its official global sponsors:

Oliva Cigars, ST Dupont, Cuervo y Sobrinos Watches, DeART Humidors, Boveda, Damat Tween, Cigar Journal, InterTabac Fair, Les Fines Lames, Bosquet Paris Cigar Etuis, and Hulecos—whose elegant prizes helped honor the top competitors in true CSWC fashion.

CHECK RESULTS