AshMap
Overview
There is a moment, about twenty minutes into the Cohiba Behike BHK 52, when the smoke turns from a luxury object into a narrative. It begins with a pre-light draw that is deceptively gentle—sweet cream and a whisper of white pepper, a hint of cedar that suggests a well-kept humidor rather than a farm. But the first light is a revelation: toasted bread, a floral note that feels like jasmine carried on a warm breeze, and that unmistakable Cuban earth, freshly turned and mineral-rich. The creaminess is not a texture but a presence, coating the palate like a fine beurre blanc, while dried fruit—apricot, perhaps—emerges mid-draw, a quiet promise of what is to come. This is not a cigar that announces itself; it insinuates, drawing you into its rhythm with each deliberate puff.
The second third is where the Medio Tiempo leaf, that rare top-priming tobacco that only Cohiba has mastered at scale, reveals its true character. The spice is not the blunt kick of ligero; it is an electric, almost crystalline sensation that dances on the tongue—white pepper, orange peel, and a faint, flinty mineral note that tastes like the Vuelta Abajo soil after rain. Beneath it, dark cocoa and espresso deepen the profile, while aged cedar and roasted nuts add a savory counterpoint. Retrohaling is an act of devotion here: the complexity unfolds in layers, each one more precise than the last, a testament to the two years the leaf spent aging before it ever met the roller's bench. This is the heart of the Behike, the moment where the blend stops being a collection of flavors and becomes a singular, coherent voice.
The final third does not relent; it crescendos. Dark chocolate and strong espresso dominate, but there is a persistent herbal sweetness—think of dried sage or thyme—that keeps the profile from tipping into heaviness. The Medio Tiempo spice builds into a long, warming finish, with molasses and dried cherry lingering on the palate long after the smoke has cleared. The combustion remains clean, the ash a tight, silver-grey column that holds for over an inch before releasing with a clean snap. There is no harshness, no bitterness, only a concentrated, deeply satisfying conclusion that feels like the last movement of a symphony—inevitable, complete, and worth every minute of the 90-minute session it demands. This is not a cigar for distraction; it is a cigar for contemplation, a rare artifact from El Laguito that reminds you why Havana still matters.
In the pantheon of Habanos S.A.'s output, the BHK 52 is often overshadowed by its larger siblings, the 54 and 56. But this smaller vitola is the most elegant, the most precise. It offers a tighter draw, a more focused flavor profile, and a balance that the bigger formats sometimes lose in their pursuit of power. It is the entry point into the Behike line, but it is also the purest expression of what the Medio Tiempo leaf can do. Critics who dismiss Cuban cigars as inconsistent have clearly never sat with this one; it is a humbling counterargument, a cigar that rewards patience and punishes haste. The BHK 52 is not just a smoke—it is a benchmark, a reminder that when the right leaf meets the right hands, the result is nothing short of alchemy.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo, Medio Tiempo leaf — Colorado Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo long-leaf, incorporating rare Medio Tiempo primings — leaves from the topmost two positions of the to |
| Country of Origin | El Laguito Factory, Havana, Cuba |
| Vitola / Shape | Toro |
| Size | 6.0 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $45–$65 per cigar (secondary/grey market pricing varies significantly; retail in Cuba/Europe $30–$50) |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Minimum 2 years aging on the leaf before rolling; finished cigars undergo additional box aging of approximately 6–12 mon |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with sweet cream, white pepper, and a whisper of cedar. Upon lighting, the first third delivers a refined interplay of toasted bread, light floral notes from the Medio Tiempo, and a gentle earthiness reminiscent of freshly turned Cuban soil. Creaminess coats the palate throughout, with subtle dried fruit emerging mid-draw.
Second Third
The signature Medio Tiempo character asserts itself fully here — a complex, almost electric spice distinct from standard Ligero, layered over dark cocoa, espresso, and aged cedar. Rich leather and roasted nuts deepen the profile. Retrohaling reveals extraordinary complexity: white pepper, orange peel, and a faint mineral quality unique to the Vuelta Abajo terroir.
Final Third
The final third intensifies without harshness — dark chocolate, strong espresso, and a persistent herbal sweetness dominate. The Medio Tiempo spice crescendos into a long, warming finish with notes of molasses, dried cherry, and fine tobacco sweetness. Combustion remains clean, delivering a concentrated and deeply satisfying conclusion.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is immaculate — this is El Laguito's finest work. The draw is firm but precise, producing dense, aromatic smoke. The burn is remarkably even for a Cuban, producing a tight, firm ash of silver-grey that holds for 1–1.5 inches before releasing cleanly.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Cuban rum (Havana Club 15 Año or Ron Zacapa 23 Centenario) complements the sweetness; alternatively, a well-aged Cognac such as Rémy Martin XO or a Glenfarclas 25-year single malt Scotch matches the complexity without overpowering the delicate Medio Tiempo nuance.
Wine
A structured, aged Rioja Gran Reserva (Vega Sicilia Único or López de Heredia Viña Tondonia) or a right-bank Bordeaux such as Pomerol echoes the earthiness and dark fruit without fighting the cigar's spice.
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Cuban or Guatemalan pour-over coffee, lightly sweetened — the floral and chocolate notes mirror the Behike's profile perfectly. Alternatively, a high-quality Darjeeling second flush tea.
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has already smoked through the standard Cohiba line—the Siglo VI, the Esplendido—and found them excellent but familiar. You are someone who has a dedicated smoking chair, a quiet evening with no obligations, and a bottle of Havana Club 15 Año within reach. You are not a novice; you have learned to retrohale without flinching and can identify the difference between a San Luis and a Vuelta Abajo wrapper. You are celebrating something—a promotion, an anniversary, or simply the end of a brutal week—and you want a cigar that matches the weight of the moment. The BHK 52 will not overwhelm you; it will engage you, demanding your full attention for 90 minutes. It will give you a flavor progression that unfolds like a well-written novel, and it will leave you with a finish that lingers in your memory long after the ash has been tapped. This is not a cigar for social smoking; it is a cigar for solitude, for reflection, for the kind of quiet satisfaction that only comes from knowing you have smoked something truly exceptional.
Bottom Line
The Cohiba Behike BHK 52 is the most refined expression of the Medio Tiempo leaf available today, a cigar that balances power with elegance in a way few others can match. It is expensive, rare, and demands your full attention—but it rewards every second with a flavor journey that is nothing short of transcendent. If you can find it, buy it; if you can afford it, smoke it slowly.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Cohiba Behike cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Toro a strong cigar?
It is rated Medium-Full (4/5), which means it has a noticeable nicotine presence but is not a nicotine bomb. You will feel a gentle warmth in the chest and a slight buzz by the final third, but the strength is balanced by the creamy texture and the refined spice of the Medio Tiempo leaf. It is not a morning smoke, but it will not knock you out if you have eaten beforehand.
What does Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Toro taste like?
The first third offers sweet cream, white pepper, toasted bread, floral notes, and a gentle Cuban earthiness. The second third deepens into dark cocoa, espresso, aged cedar, roasted nuts, and an electric spice with orange peel and a mineral quality on the retrohale. The final third brings dark chocolate, strong espresso, herbal sweetness, molasses, and dried cherry, with a long, warming finish.
How long does Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Toro take to smoke?
As a Toro measuring 6.0 x 52, expect a smoking time of 75 to 90 minutes, depending on your pace. The draw is firm but precise, which encourages slow, deliberate puffs. If you rush it, you will miss the flavor progression; this is a cigar that rewards a leisurely session.
What is the best pairing for Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Toro?
Aged Cuban rum such as Havana Club 15 Año is the classic choice—its sweetness complements the dried fruit and molasses notes without overpowering the delicate Medio Tiempo spice. Alternatively, a well-aged Cognac like Rémy Martin XO or a Glenfarclas 25-year single malt Scotch will match the cigar's complexity. For a non-alcoholic option, a single-origin Cuban or Guatemalan pour-over coffee, lightly sweetened, mirrors the floral and chocolate notes perfectly.
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Toro good for beginners?
No. At Medium-Full strength and a price of $45–$65 per cigar on the secondary market, this is not a beginner's smoke. The flavor profile is complex and demands experience to fully appreciate, and the cost makes it a poor choice for learning. Beginners should start with milder, more affordable Cuban options like a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 before attempting the Behike.
Where can I buy Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Toro?
The Behike line is produced in strictly controlled annual quantities, so availability is limited. Your best bet is a trusted brick-and-mortar cigar shop that specializes in Cuban cigars, or an authorized Habanos S.A. retailer in Cuba, Europe, or other markets where Cuban cigars are legal. Online grey-market vendors exist but carry risks of counterfeits; always verify the serial number on the box and the authenticity of the triple-cap construction.
What is the price of Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Toro?
Retail pricing in Cuba or Europe ranges from $30 to $50 per cigar. On the secondary or grey market in the United States or other non-Cuban markets, prices can escalate to $45–$65 per cigar, and sometimes higher depending on availability and demand. The lacquered box of 10 will typically cost between $300 and $650 depending on the source.
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Toro worth aging?
Yes, but with caveats. The leaf is already aged for a minimum of two years before rolling, and the finished cigars undergo an additional 6–12 months of box aging. This means the BHK 52 is ready to smoke upon purchase. However, further aging of 3–5 years in a well-maintained humidor (70°F, 65–70% RH) will soften the spice and deepen the dark cocoa and espresso notes, creating a rounder, more integrated profile. Do not age it for more than 10 years; the Medio Tiempo leaf's vibrancy will begin to fade.
What wrapper does Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Toro use?
It uses a Cuban Vuelta Abajo Medio Tiempo leaf, which is a rare priming from the topmost two positions of the tobacco plant. This leaf is darker and more concentrated in oils than standard wrappers, giving it a Colorado Maduro color—deep russet brown with a silky, slightly oily sheen. It contributes the cigar's signature electric spice and floral notes, which are not found in any other Cuban cigar.
Where is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Toro made?
It is hand-rolled at the El Laguito Factory in Havana, Cuba, by Habanos S.A.'s most elite torcedores. The line was launched in 2010 to honor the legendary roller Norma Fernández 'Behike,' and production is strictly controlled annually. Each cigar features a triple-cap construction, a hallmark of El Laguito's finest work, and is presented in lacquered boxes of 10.