Sometimes, it seems being a Habanos Sommelier pays off...

[JohnS]

Habanos Sommelier Winner of Cigar Smoking World Championship, Kuwait

June 9, 2025 - Simon Lundh

In 2022, Kuwait entered the Cigar Smoking World Championship. It became a close race with exclusively first time competitors and in the end Sary Aboudaya beat Ahmed Aljery by two minutes, securing the title as the first Kuwaiti slow smoking champion. After a two-year hiatus, Kuwait now has a new champion.

On a warm evening in Kuwait City, under the golden light of the Cabinet Cigar Lounge chandeliers, an even more dramatic race took place. Bader Alseeba, who was in the lead at one point, had to concede to both Hassan Altamimi and Salah Alrasheedi in the end. But not by much. Alseeba’s finishing time of 1 hour 44 minutes and 38 seconds wasn’t even a minute behind that of Alrasheedi, and just five minutes shorter than Altamimi’s. Already celebrated for his second-place finish in the Habanos World Championship Finals in Havana, and as winner of the Habanos Sommelier Contest Kuwait, Altamimi now added a new title to his already impressive legacy. At 1 hour 49 minutes and 35 seconds, Altamimi became the second Kuwaiti champion in history.

“This man understands tobacco in a way few do,” CSWC founder Marko Bilić says. “He has the knowledge, but he also understands combustion, rhythm, and the psychology of slow smoking. He’s one of the most complete smokers I’ve ever seen.”

The event was judged by Jeremy Casdagli of Casdagli Cigars, a former top competitor turned certified CSWC by Oliva Cigars judge, and Dino Tomić, official CSWC instructor, in a lounge that truly impressed the founder.

“I’ve been fortunate to visit lounges across the world,” he says. “But Cabinet is among the most beautiful and welcoming I’ve ever stepped into. It earned high praise from international guests and captures everything we value in this culture; style, warmth, and a deep respect for the cigar.”

    Hassan Altamimi 1:49:35
    Salah Alrasheedi 1:45:31
    Bader Alseeba 1:44:38

Source: https://www.cigarjournal.com/habanos-sommelier-winner-of-cswc-kuwait/

[Ruggerpgh99]

There are so many questions. What cigar were they smoking? Do they have to smoke the same cigar? I am very intrigued as to how this competition works! 

[SUP8333]

7 hours ago, Ruggerpgh99 said:

There are so many questions. What cigar were they smoking? Do they have to smoke the same cigar? I am very intrigued as to how this competition works! 

It's a Oliva x CSWC only Mareva sized cigar. On top of that it's a NC. Smoke a NC for 2 hours...yikes. 

[Ruggerpgh99]

Thanks for the detail Sup! 2 hours on a Mareva seems absurd! I feel like a slow smoker because its usually 60-75 minutes for me. 

[Chibearsv]

5 hours ago, Ruggerpgh99 said:

Thanks for the detail Sup! 2 hours on a Mareva seems absurd! I feel like a slow smoker because its usually 60-75 minutes for me. 

You obviously need to better understand the psychology of slow smoking.  Whatever that is, other than...you know.. .smoking slowly 

[Li Bai]

I've had a Siglo II last me 2h 15min once...It was a good day.

[El Hoze]

When we were in college we used to have a competition of who could do the “biggest bong hit.” I think these guys might have actually found something even sillier (and certainly less entertaining). 

[Havanaaddict]

Well I would have come in last place, the only way it would take me to smoke a Mareva in 1:49:35 is if I fell asleep    in the middle!

[CigarCulture09]

Hassan Altamimi is a true expert when it comes to cigars. I’m not surprised at all that he won. 

[ATGroom]

Hassan is a good friend (he's also the one who did the Arabic translation of CCW), so no disrespect to him at all, but 1:49 is a bit of a bush-league time in this ridiculous competition. He has some work to do before the final.

Last year's winner was 3:35:10.

https://www.cswcnews.com/copy-of-malaysia-results

[Fuzz]

11 hours ago, SUP8333 said:

It's a Oliva x CSWC only Mareva sized cigar. On top of that it's a NC. Smoke a NC for 2 hours...yikes. 

What was the crime they committed to warrant such a punishment? 

[Arabian]

The Kuwaiti Cigar community is active, I believe they also do the ash tournament as well similar to the one in Cuba.