I finally smoked a Cohiba Behike cigar!

I have wanted to get my hands on a Cohiba Behike cigar for a long time, deemed one of THE BEST CUBAN CIGARS. The task seemed almost impossible due to the cigar’s rarity and lack of availability. I was also expecting to break the bank by purchasing such a cigar ‘if’ I ever tried one – as prices are sky-high.

The stats:

Cohiba Behike 52

Length: 4 3/4″
Ring Gauge: 52
Strength: Full
Country of origin: Cuba
Cost: £234.00 @ CGars Ltd | £275.00 @ Davidoff London

Background:

Cohiba first presented the Behike (also referred to as BHK) during Cuba’s annual XII Habanos Festival in 2010, about 12 years ago.

It is produced in very limited quantities every year at the exclusive El Laguito factory. The rolling process, using tobacco leaves selected from the finest plantations in San Juan y Martínez and San Luis, incorporates a very rare leaf called “Medio Tiempo” that offers exceptional character and taste.

The Cohiba Behike line includes:

BHK 52 ring gauge × 119 mm in length
BHK 54 band gauge × 144 mm length
BHK 56 band gauge × 166 mm length

Each of these cigars are presented in an exclusive lacquered box of 10.

The Cohiba Behike was launched in the U.K. at London’s Gorling Hotel later that year on the 20th May 2010. Ajay of No 6 Cavendish Square filmed this footage during the event.

The Cohiba Behike 52 later went on to win the prestigious Cigar Aficionado “Cigar of the Year” that same year.

When purchasing Cohiba’s, you need to make sure they are not fakes. I’ve heard this many times, especially if/when you visit Cuba (my dream trip). Cigar Aficionado advises on How to spot a fake Cohiba.

My experience:

When I finally stumbled across a Cohiba Behike 52, at approx £70, I couldn’t quite believe it, snapped it up straight away and couldn’t wait to smoke it!

In anticipation of smoking a Cohiba Behike, I had tried a few other Cohiba cigars, including:

Cohiba: Maduro
Cohiba: Piramides Extra
Cohiba: Robusto

My favourite of the three was the Cohiba Maduro which I smoked at The Garden Room at The Lanesborough Hotel, London.

My expectations of the Cohiba Behike 52 cigar are very high, which I am concerned about, as it feels like the only way is downwards from there. I don’t want to be too judgy upon smoking the cigar, so I’m keeping a very open mind.

I wanted to smoke it straight away but felt I had to wait for a special occasion to smoke such a highly esteemed cigar. So, I waited for my birthday for the experience.

Even though I tried, I didn’t quite look after the Cohiba Behike 52 as well as I thought. Upon opening the cigar from the packaging, I could see bits of green on its wrapper, which disappointed me enormously. I blame my humidor.

Update: A few folk on my social media state that the green bits are under fermented parts of the leaves, nothing to do with my humidor.

The cigar itself was a lot smaller than I expected. After inspecting the cigar and admiring its stunning gold, white and black cigar band, I cut the pigtail cap and lit it.

The Cohiba Behike 52 is a deliciously smooth and creamy cigar, full-bodied, starting with a bit of spicy pepper in the first third, though to a very spicy 2nd and final third. It feels like a quality cigar. At first, I noticed a slightly uneven burn, which later evened out. The ash looked unusual; it was a light grey with some yellow. It produced thick plumes of smoke.

It took me 45-50 mins to smoke, which I think was far too quick for me.

It reminded me of the Plasencia 149 Cosecha, but I’m not sure whether I’m associating it with that cigar because I’ve smoked many of them lately.

My rating: 8.5/9 out of 10

While I enjoyed this cigar, it didn’t match my high expectations or the price it cost (and I got it cheap compared to some places). But I can see how this could be a favourite of many, especially if you had boxes of them stacked up to smoke through.

Now I’ve tried the 52 what do I aim for next, the BHK 54, BHK 56 or the new Cohiba 55 Aniversario cigar?

What do others say?

Here are some other reviews out there talking about the Cohiba Behike 52.