AshMap
Overview
The Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Lonsdale is not merely a cigar; it is a testament to the art of tobacco blending at its most rarefied. First introduced by Habanos S.A. in 2010 as part of the three-vitola Behike line, the BHK 52 represents the most nuanced and intellectually demanding expression of Cuba’s most storied brand. Named for the Taino tribal shaman — the Behike — this cigar was conceived to showcase a singular, almost mythical tobacco leaf: the Medio Tiempo. Grown only from the uppermost primings of select Vuelta Abajo tobacco plants, this leaf constitutes perhaps three percent of any harvest, and its inclusion is what elevates the Behike beyond the merely excellent into the realm of the extraordinary. At 6.7 inches by a 52-ring gauge, the Lonsdale vitola is the slenderest of the three, a format traditionally favored by aficionados who prize aroma and subtlety over raw power. It is handmade at the El Laguito factory — Havana’s most prestigious torceduría — by Cuba’s most senior rollers, using only long-filler leaves and a binder from Habanos Reserve stock. The wrapper is a Colorado Maduro leaf of burnished chestnut to dark coffee brown, silky and lightly oiled with minimal veining, pre-aged a minimum of two years before the cigar is even assembled. The result is a smoke that announces itself not with a bang, but with a whisper of dried jasmine and sweet cream, then unfolds through a meticulously orchestrated sequence of espresso, cocoa nib, leather, dried mushroom, and eventually dark molasses and mineral earth in the final act. The elusive floral note — unique to Medio Tiempo — is the cigar’s signature, a ghost that lingers even as the blend deepens into savory complexity. In an era when many premium cigars compete on brute strength or novelty of origin, the Behike BHK 52 reminds us that the finest smoking experiences are built on scarcity, patience, and restraint. It is not a cigar for every evening; it is a cigar for the evening when time slows, and only the finest tobacco will do. Its limited production, combined with the intentional constraint of Medio Tiempo availability, ensures that each BHK 52 is a rare encounter — one that demands the smoker’s full presence and rewards it with a finish that is long, warming, and remarkably clean. The Behike BHK 52 does not shout; it commands attention through elegance, balance, and the quiet authority of a blend that could only come from Cuba’s most hallowed soil.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — Medio Tiempo leaf — Colorado Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo — Habanos Reserve |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo tobaccos including rare Medio Tiempo leaves from the uppermost primings, aged minimum 2 years |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — El Laguito factory |
| Vitola / Shape | Lonsdale |
| Size | 6.7 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $80–$120 per cigar depending on market and import duties |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Minimum 2 years post-production aging; Medio Tiempo leaves are aged separately before blending. Additional cellaring of |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw delivers sweet cream, dried fruit, and faint cocoa. On light, the first third opens with refined espresso, white pepper, and a distinctive floral note — reminiscent of dried jasmine — unique to Medio Tiempo tobacco. Cedar and toasted almond emerge beneath a buttery, almost creamy base.
Second Third
Complexity deepens considerably as the cigar settles. Dark chocolate transitions to bitter cocoa nib, joined by leather, roasted nuts, and a subtle earthy undercurrent of Cuban terroir. The floral quality recedes, replaced by a rich, almost savory note of dried mushroom and aged tobacco leaf. Sweetness remains balanced but subordinate.
Final Third
The final third is authoritative without aggression — a hallmark of great Cuban construction. Espresso grounds, dark molasses, and a mineral note dominate. Pepper returns gently on the retrohale alongside a sustained woody sweetness. The finish is long, warming, and exceptionally clean for a cigar of this richness.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is benchmark Cuban — flawless by El Laguito standards, producing a firm, cool draw and a ruler-straight burn with minimal touch-ups required. Ash holds in dense, pale grey columns of 1.5 to 2 inches, and smoke output is generous and aromatic.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
15–18 year Havana Club Gran Reserva or a well-aged Barbadian rum such as Foursquare Exceptional Cask; alternatively a 21-year Glenfarclas for its dried fruit and sherry resonance with the Medio Tiempo florals
Wine
2010–2015 Ribera del Duero Reserva (Pingus, Vega Sicilia Valbuena) — the tertiary complexity and earthy depth mirror the cigar's leather and dark fruit notes without overwhelming its florality
Non-Alcoholic
Single-origin Cuban or Ethiopian Yirgacheffe pour-over coffee, lightly brewed to preserve floral and bright-fruit aromatics that harmonize with the Medio Tiempo character
Who Should Smoke This?
The Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Lonsdale is for the seasoned aficionado who has moved beyond the pursuit of strength and now seeks complexity, nuance, and the quiet drama of a perfectly paced cigar. It rewards patience and a well-developed palate — the interplay of floral Middle Eastern notes with savory umami and restrained sweetness will be lost on a novice. This is not a casual smoke for a golf course or a crowded lounge; it demands a dedicated session of 90 to 110 minutes, a comfortable chair, still air, and undivided attention. Reserve it for milestone birthdays, anniversaries, or a solitary evening of reflection. If you understand that the most profound cigars are conversations, not declarations, the BHK 52 will speak to you in a language few blends can utter.
Bottom Line
The Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Lonsdale is the rarefied summit of modern Cuban cigar craft — intellectually demanding, impeccably balanced, and built around the irreplicable rarity of Medio Tiempo leaf. It is the definitive smoke for the collector and connoisseur who recognizes that true luxury is scarcity refined into art. Expensive, elusive, and absolutely worth the pursuit.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Cohiba Behike cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Lonsdale a strong cigar?
No, it is not a powerhouse. Rated Medium-Full (4/5), its strength is authoritative but never aggressive. The experience is one of layered complexity rather than nicotine impact, making it suitable for experienced smokers who value nuance over brute force.
What does Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Lonsdale taste like?
The flavor profile evolves across thirds: first third offers refined espresso, white pepper, dried jasmine, cedar, and toasted almond over a creamy base. Second third introduces dark chocolate, leather, roasted nuts, dried mushroom, and aged tobacco leaf. Final third delivers espresso grounds, dark molasses, a mineral note, and a gentle pepper retrohale with sustained woody sweetness.
How long does Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Lonsdale take to smoke?
Plan for 90 to 110 minutes. This is a slow-burning, contemplative cigar with a dense ash hold of 1.5 to 2 inches. Rushing it would be a disservice to its evolving complexity.
What is the best pairing for Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Lonsdale?
For spirits, a 15- to 18-year Havana Club Gran Reserva or well-aged Barbadian rum like Foursquare Exceptional Cask; alternatively a 21-year Glenfarclas single malt complements the dried fruit and floral notes. For wine, a 2010–2015 Ribera del Duero Reserva (Pingus or Vega Sicilia Valbuena). Non-alcoholic: single-origin Cuban or Ethiopian Yirgacheffe pour-over coffee, lightly brewed to preserve floral and bright-fruit aromatics.
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Lonsdale good for beginners?
No. This cigar is designed for the seasoned palate. Its subtle floral notes, restrained strength, and complex savory transitions require experience to fully appreciate. Beginners would be better served by a milder, more straightforward vitola.
Where can I buy Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Lonsdale?
Authorized Habanos specialists worldwide carry the Behike line, but availability is limited due to constrained production. In Cuba, La Casa del Habano franchises are the most reliable source. Outside Cuba, trusted online retailers with verified Cuban stock may offer them, though prices vary significantly by market and import duties.
What is the price of Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Lonsdale?
Retail pricing ranges from $80 to $120 per cigar, depending on market, local taxes, and import duties. Secondary market prices can be substantially higher due to scarcity and collector demand.
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Lonsdale worth aging?
Yes, though it already receives a minimum of two years of post-production aging, with Medio Tiempo leaves aged separately beforehand. Additional cellaring of 3–5 years in a stable environment can further harmonize the blend, softening any remaining edges and deepening the savory and floral nuances.
What wrapper does Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Lonsdale use?
It uses a Cuban Vuelta Abajo wrapper leaf from the Medio Tiempo priming, in a Colorado Maduro shade — a rich burnished chestnut to dark coffee brown. The leaf is silky, lightly oily, and features minimal veining.
Where is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Lonsdale made?
It is hand-rolled at the El Laguito factory in Havana, Cuba — the most prestigious torceduría in the country — by Cuba's most senior rollers using traditional tripa larga (long filler) construction.