TURIN KICKS OFF THE CSWC 2025 SEASON IN STYLE
- expertcigar
- May 17
- 3 min read
On May 6th and 7th, the vibrant city of Turin witnessed the official launch of the Italian CSWC 2025 season, hosted at the elegant Habanos Lounge Colafrancesco in Collegno.
These two evenings marked not only the first Italian qualifiers of the season but also the beginning of what promises to be a thrilling journey toward the national final in Bergamo on July 18th.
In true CSWC spirit, the event was about more than just competition—it was a celebration of community, camaraderie, and cigar culture. The two-night format was a deliberate choice by the organizers, ensuring space and comfort for all participants and creating a unique moment for our beloved female aficionados. Italy continues its beautiful tradition of dedicating an entire evening to women competitors, and once again, the results were nothing short of spectacular.
The standout of the qualifiers? Sara Gerardi, who lit up the night—both literally and figuratively—with an impressive time that now stands as the best in Italy. Sara, who runs the Antica Tabaccheria del Centro in Caselle Torinese with her husband Alessandro Bolognesi, proved that precision and passion are a winning combination.
Participants represented Turin’s two main cigar clubs—Puromotivo and Cigar Club Collegno—but the evenings also welcomed a few curious newcomers, adding fresh faces and new energy to the growing CSWC family.
A special thanks goes to Simona and Nazzareno, the hosts who transformed the venue into a home for slow-smoking excellence. The ambiance was relaxed, the hospitality flawless, and the cigars… unforgettable.
Indeed, Italy joined the elite circle of countries enjoying a first taste of the new Oliva Mareva CSWC cigar, an exclusive competition blend that has already received enthusiastic praise. With flawless construction and a rich flavor profile, it proved the perfect partner for two nights of slow-burning intensity.
And what a display of skill it was: only one ash was dropped across both evenings—testament to the focus, control, and sportsmanship of all competitors. The events ran smoothly and without any irregularities, highlighting the ever-rising level of Italian competitors.
Another highlight came from Pasquale Sicilia of VCF, who shared insights into the world of Oliva and revealed exciting upcoming projects. His presentation added depth to the evening and was warmly received by all.
So successful were the two sessions that participants immediately requested a third—and we are pleased to confirm that an additional qualifier will take place on June 13th, giving even more enthusiasts the chance to join the race for Bergamo.
With passion growing stronger each year, CSWC Italy 2025 is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons yet. From the hills of Turin to the grand stage in Bergamo—the journey has begun.
