YORDAN KAMENOVSKI MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST-EVER CSWC IRELAND CHAMPION

The Cigar Smoking World Championship has finally touched down in Ireland — and its debut was nothing short of amazing

“This is a historic moment for the Irish cigar community, and we can’t wait to welcome competitors and spectators to experience the excitement, camaraderie, and passion that CSWC embodies,” said Barry Joyce, owner of The Decent Cigar Emporium in Dublin, ahead of the event.

Hosted in the stylish Dylan Hotel, the competition got off to a lively start — quite literally — as one enthusiastic newcomer struck a match before the official “go” signal.

“Bringing them back in line, still raring to go, they were quick off the light, as fast as an Irish racehorse,” laughed CSWC judge Sarah Saunders. “Then came the hush… the compulsory five minutes of silence felt like an eternity in Ireland.”

The tension was palpable as one by one, participants bowed out. After an hour, only three contenders remained in the fight for the very first Irish CSWC crown. Lucy Mokua was the first to exit at 1:04:25, followed by Eve Keanny at 1:10:57, who admitted with a smile, “I honestly thought I’d be out in the first few minutes.”

That left Yordan Kamenovski, calm and unshakable, with half his cigar still to burn while his rivals struggled near the band. With laser focus, he smoked down to the finish, claiming victory — and history — with a winning time of 1:39:48.

“This was one of the most exciting, lively, and definitely most entertaining races I’ve ever judged,” Saunders remarked. “Such enthusiasm, playfulness, and fortitude. And to quote the famous Irish writer James Joyce: ‘They lived und laughed ant loved end left’ — the perfect summation of my fabulous 24 hours in Dublin.”

Official Results

🥇 Yordan Kamenovski – 1:39:48

🥈 Eve Keanny – 1:10:57

🥉 Lucy Mokua – 1:04:25

The first CSWC Ireland was a landmark in the championship’s history, uniting cigar lovers in a vibrant atmosphere of competition, laughter, and friendship — and setting the stage for Ireland’s champions to join the world’s finest in Split, Croatia, for the Grand Final.

CSWC is proudly supported by its global partners: Oliva Cigars, Les Fines Lames, Cuervo y Sobrinos, S.T. Dupont, Damat Tween, Bosquet Paris, Boveda, DeART Humidors, Intertabac, Cigar Journal magazine, and Hulecos.