AshMap
Overview
There are cigars that announce themselves, and then there are cigars that simply exist, demanding you recalibrate your understanding of what a Cuban cigar can be. The Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Belicoso is the latter. It is not a loud, brash statement; it is a quiet, confident declaration from El Laguito, a masterclass in controlled power that begins the moment the tapered head meets the flame. The pre-light aroma is a promise of aged barnyard and sweet hay, a scent that hints at the meticulous two-year leaf aging before the roll, but it’s the first draw that sets the stage for a performance of rare depth. This is the cigar where Cohiba’s legendary lineage meets the almost mythical Medio Tiempo leaf, a tobacco so scarce it is only harvested in exceptional years, and its presence is felt not as a single note, but as a pervasive, silken texture that elevates every subsequent flavor.
The opening salvo is deceptively gentle, a creamy wave of cedar and roasted espresso that coats the palate with an unexpected butteriness. The retrohale, however, delivers a sharp, cleansing jolt of white pepper, a wake-up call that this is a cigar of substance. Beneath the initial sweetness lies a foundation of aged leather and a faint, almost ethereal floral whisper—the first unmistakable signature of the Medio Tiempo. It’s an elegance that feels less like a flavor and more like a texture, a fine-grained silkiness that threads through the smoke, promising complexity rather than mere strength. As the ash holds firm, a pale grey column of confidence, the second third begins its slow, deliberate evolution.
The narrative deepens, shifting from the bright, aromatic woods to a darker, more introspective register. The cedar matures into a rich, earthy sandalwood, while dark cocoa and dried fig emerge in a wave of bittersweet indulgence. Toasted almond adds a savory counterpoint, and a subtle minerality—reminiscent of wet stone after a summer rain—grounds the experience. This is where the blend’s genius becomes fully apparent; the Medio Tiempo doesn't just add strength, it adds a dense, layered body that is rare even among the finest Cuban releases. A stone fruit sweetness, like a whisper of apricot, dances on the periphery, a fleeting moment of brightness against the growing darkness. The smoke, dense and creamy, seems to thicken with each passing minute.
Entering the final third, the cigar sheds its remaining restraint, not with harshness, but with a resonant, concentrated power. The flavors coalesce into a profound symphony of black coffee, rich tobacco earth, and dark chocolate, all wrapped in a long, spiced finish dominated by clove and black pepper. The smoke volume increases, becoming almost chewy in its intensity, and the Medio Tiempo’s full contribution becomes unmistakable—a deep, resonant hum that vibrates long after the cigar is set down. The finish is not a goodbye but a lingering echo, a final, powerful statement that cements the BHK 52’s place not just as a cigar, but as a benchmark. It is a complete, coherent narrative from first light to final ash, a story told in smoke that demands—and rewards—your full, undivided attention.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Seco and Medio Tiempo — Vuelta Abajo, Cuba — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Seco leaf — Vuelta Abajo, Cuba |
| Filler | Cuban Seco, Ligero, and the exceedingly rare Medio Tiempo — all from Vuelta Abajo, Cuba; aged a minimum of two years bef |
| Country of Origin | El Laguito factory, Havana, Cuba |
| Vitola / Shape | Belicoso |
| Size | 6.1 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $55–$80 per cigar (box prices vary significantly by market and import duties) |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Minimum two years of leaf aging prior to production; post-roll box aging also practiced; cigars benefit from additional |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The tapered belicoso head delivers an immediate concentration of creamy cedar, roasted espresso, and white pepper on the retrohale. A buttery smoothness coats the palate early, underpinned by aged leather and a faint floral note — likely an expression of the Medio Tiempo leaf showing its elegance from the first light.
Second Third
Complexity deepens considerably — dark cocoa, dried fig, and toasted almond emerge in waves, with the cedar transitioning toward a richer, earthier sandalwood quality. The Medio Tiempo contributes a dense, layered body that is rare even among premium Cubans; a subtle minerality and stone fruit sweetness thread through the smoke.
Final Third
The final third intensifies beautifully without harshness — black coffee, rich tobacco earth, dark chocolate, and a long, spiced finish dominated by clove and black pepper. The smoke volume increases and the Medio Tiempo's full contribution becomes unmistakable — a concentrated, resonant finish that lingers well after the cigar is set down.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is among the finest in the world — the draw on a properly humidified BHK 52 is near-perfect, slightly firm but deeply satisfying, producing dense, creamy smoke. The burn line is razor-even, the ash pale grey and exceptionally firm, reflecting the quality of Cuban leaf and the skill of El Laguito's rollers.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cuban rum — Havana Club 15 Año or Edmundo Dantés Gran Reserva 15 — or a lightly peated single malt Scotch such as Glenlivet 18 or Dalmore 18; avoid heavily peated expressions that would overpower the floral Medio Tiempo notes
Wine
A structured, aged Rioja Gran Reserva (Vega Sicilia Unico or López de Heredia Viña Tondonia) or a well-aged Burgundy Pinot Noir — something with earthy complexity and red fruit to complement without competing
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Cuban or Ethiopian Yirgacheffe pour-over coffee, brewed light enough to allow the floral and fruit notes to mirror the cigar's complexity; or a lightly oxidized oolong tea
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has a dedicated humidor, not a drawer, and who has already walked the path from Montecristo to Partagás, understanding the subtle language of Cuban terroir. He is a man in his late forties, perhaps celebrating a quiet professional victory or marking the anniversary of a personal milestone. He pours himself a glass of Havana Club 15 Año, not as an afterthought, but as a deliberate pairing. He sits alone on his patio as the evening cools, the city lights a distant hum. He doesn't smoke this cigar to be seen; he smokes it to think, to savor a rare moment of stillness. He will find in the BHK 52 a familiar yet elevated voice—the Cohiba house style he knows, but with a new, profound depth that makes him pause and reconsider what he thought he knew about the blend. It’s a conversation between the smoker, the leaf, and the years of patience that brought them together.
Bottom Line
The Cohiba Behike BHK 52 is not merely a great cigar; it is a definitive statement of what is possible with Cuban tobacco. Its price and scarcity are justified by a smoking experience of unparalleled depth and elegance. This is the cigar against which all other premium Cubans will be measured.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Cohiba Behike cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Belicoso a strong cigar?
It is rated Medium-Full (4/5), which means it has a definite, noticeable presence of nicotine. You will feel its effects, but it is not a harsh or overpowering strength. The power is delivered with a creamy, dense texture that builds gradually from the first third to a resonant peak in the final third, making it a deeply satisfying and substantial smoke rather than a nicotine bomb.
What does Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Belicoso taste like?
The flavor profile is a journey. It opens with creamy cedar, roasted espresso, and white pepper on the retrohale. The second third deepens into dark cocoa, dried fig, toasted almond, and a rich sandalwood earthiness. The finale is a powerful blend of black coffee, dark chocolate, and a long, spiced finish of clove and black pepper, all underscored by a unique, silky minerality from the Medio Tiempo leaf.
How long does Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Belicoso take to smoke?
Given its Belicoso vitola and 6.1 x 52 size, you should set aside a solid 90 minutes to two hours. The tapered head focuses the draw initially, but the cigar opens up and burns slowly and evenly, rewarding a patient, unhurried pace. This is not a cigar to be rushed.
What is the best pairing for Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Belicoso?
An aged Cuban rum like Havana Club 15 Año is the classic and ideal companion. Its own notes of oak, vanilla, and dried fruit mirror the cigar's depth without overpowering the delicate floral and mineral notes of the Medio Tiempo leaf. A lightly peated single malt like Dalmore 18 is a worthy alternative, but avoid heavily peated Islay Scotches that will obliterate the cigar's finer nuances.
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Belicoso good for beginners?
No. This is a cigar for the experienced palate. Its Medium-Full strength and layered complexity require a developed ability to discern subtle shifts in flavor. At $55–$80 per cigar, it is also a significant investment that would be wasted on a smoker who hasn't yet learned to appreciate the quiet, evolving narrative of a premium Cuban. Start with milder, more accessible cigars and work your way up to this masterpiece.
Where can I buy Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Belicoso?
Due to its prestige and limited production, you will not find this in a typical corner store. Your best bet is a trusted, specialist brick-and-mortar cigar shop with a dedicated Cuban cigar inventory, or a highly reputable online retailer that specializes in authentic Cuban products. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, as counterfeits are common. Always verify the seller's authenticity guarantees.
What is the price of Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Belicoso?
The price is $55–$80 per cigar, though box prices can vary significantly depending on your local market and applicable import duties. This places it firmly in the 'Prestige' tier of the cigar world, reflecting its scarce Medio Tiempo filler and the exceptional skill required to produce it at the El Laguito factory.
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Belicoso worth aging?
Absolutely. The tobacco is already aged a minimum of two years before rolling, and the cigars benefit from additional post-roll box aging. With 3-5 more years in a stable humidor, the already-integrated flavors will further meld and mellow. The sharp white pepper will soften into a more complex spice, and the creamy cedar and floral notes will gain even more depth and sweetness, creating a more seamless and profound experience.
What wrapper does Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Belicoso use?
It uses a Cuban Seco and Medio Tiempo wrapper from the Vuelta Abajo region. This Colorado-shade wrapper is a rich chestnut brown, silky and lightly oily with a fine tooth. The inclusion of the rare Medio Tiempo leaf in the wrapper contributes significantly to the cigar's unique silkiness and the subtle floral and mineral notes that are its signature.
Where is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Belicoso made?
It is hand-rolled at the legendary El Laguito factory in Havana, Cuba, by the island's most elite torcedores. This is the historic home of Cohiba, and the Behike line is its pinnacle. The production is extremely limited, with each cigar receiving meticulous attention, which is a key factor in its flawless construction and razor-even burn.