AshMap
Overview
The Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Torpedo is not a cigar you smoke; it is a confession you make to yourself about what you truly value. From the first cold draw, there is a tension in the tapered head — a promise of restraint that feels almost cruel, given the reputation coiled within. But the moment the flame kisses the foot, that tension resolves into a stream of cream and roasted almonds so refined it feels like a memory rather than a first impression. The dry cedar that follows is not the sharp, new-wood note of lesser Cubans; it is the scent of an antique chest, warmed by decades of careful handling. Beneath it all, the earth of Vuelta Abajo hums like a low-frequency signal, and a whisper of white pepper on the retrohale tells you the Medio Tiempo is awake, though not yet provoked. The sweetness here is a dark honey, barely sweet, spread on toasted bread — a prelude that knows exactly how much to give before the main movement begins.
As the burn line pushes past the shoulder and into the fat of the 52-ring gauge, the cigar's architecture shifts from introduction to argument. The espresso arrives not as a flavor but as a pressure — dark, dense, and unapologetic. Rich cocoa follows, not the powdered kind but the deep, almost bitter paste used in high-end confection. Aged leather wraps around these notes like a well-worn glove, and the Medio Tiempo's signature emerges: a resinous, almost balsamic tobacco core that coats the palate with a texture no other Cuban can approximate. Dried fig and dark cherry weave through the earthiness like threads of silk in a tapestry of burlap, and the pepper on the retrohale sharpens into a sustained Havana spice that demands your full attention. This is the section where lesser cigars would show their seams; here, the combustion is so even, so masterfully paced, that the intensity builds without a single note of harshness.
The final third is a convergence — a place where all prior themes meet to be judged. Espresso grounds, dark chocolate, and a cedar tar note that is almost savory collide with a mineral, flint-like finish that tastes like the island itself. The strength has climbed to a firm medium-full, but it never tips into aggression; instead, it settles into a warm, bourbon-like glow that lingers on the palate for minutes after the last draw. The ash holds with the discipline of a soldier, pale grey and dense, and the smoke volume remains generous and silky to the very end. This is not a cigar that fades; it is a cigar that concludes, with the finality of a well-delivered verdict. The BHK 52 Torpedo is the rare blend that justifies its own mythology — not because it is flawless, but because when it fires on all cylinders, it delivers a flavor signature so distinctive, so irreplaceable, that it redefines what you expect from a Cuban cigar.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Vuelta Abajo, Medio Tiempo leaf — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Vuelta Abajo |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo long-leaf blend including aged Medio Tiempo tobacco — among the rarest leaves in Cuban production, ta |
| Country of Origin | Havana, Cuba — El Laguito factory |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo (Piramide) |
| Size | 6.9 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $80–$110 per cigar (LCDH and authorized retailers); secondary market commands significantly more |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Tobacco aged a minimum of two years before rolling; boxes benefit from 2–5 additional years of humidor rest to fully res |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The tapered head opens with a refined complexity rarely found elsewhere — cream, roasted almonds, and dry cedar dominate early, layered beneath a pronounced earthy Cuban terroir note. A subtle white pepper spice emerges at the retrohale, telegraphing the Medio Tiempo's signature intensity without aggression. Sweetness is restrained and refined, reminiscent of dark honey on toasted bread.
Second Third
The profile deepens considerably as combustion reaches the fattest part of the ring gauge — dark espresso, rich cocoa, and aged leather come forward with authority. The Medio Tiempo contribution becomes unmistakable: a dense, almost resinous tobacco core that no other Cuban vitola quite replicates. Hints of dried fig and dark cherry weave through the earthiness, and the pepper on the retrohale intensifies to a sustained Havana spice.
Final Third
The final third rewards patience with a complex, concentrated convergence of all prior notes — espresso grounds, dark chocolate, cedar tar, and a mineral, almost flint-like finish that is distinctly Cuban. Strength builds to a firm medium-full without ever turning harsh, a testament to El Laguito's rolling mastery and the tobacco's pedigree. The finish is extraordinarily long and leaves a bourbon-like warmth on the palate.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is typically impeccable — El Laguito's senior torcedores produce a near-perfect draw with a firm but effortless pull and a cool, even burn line. The ash is dense and pale grey, holding 1.5–2 inches regularly, and the smoke volume is generous and silky.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
20-year Ron Zacapa Centenario or Havana Club Unión rum; alternatively a well-aged Cognac such as Hennessy Paradis or Rémy Martin Louis XIII — the sweetness and oak harmonize with the Behike's resinous core
Wine
An aged Priorat (Clos Mogador, 10+ years) or a structured Ribera del Duero Reserva — the mineral, iron-rich tannins in these Spanish reds mirror the Medio Tiempo's earthy intensity without competing
Non-Alcoholic
Single-origin Cuban or Ethiopian Yirgacheffe pour-over coffee, served black — the natural acidity and floral notes counterpoint the cigar's resinous density beautifully
Who Should Smoke This?
You are a collector with at least a decade of smoking behind you, someone who has chased the ghost of pre-2000s Cuban quality through countless boxes of regional editions and limited releases. Tonight, you are alone on a stone terrace overlooking a city you love, with a glass of 20-year Ron Zacapa at your elbow and no schedule for the next two hours. You have smoked the Behike before — perhaps a 54 or 56 that left you slightly underwhelmed, questioning the hype. You light this BHK 52 Torpedo not to be impressed, but to settle a score with your own skepticism. What you want is not novelty; you want confirmation that the craft still exists, that the leaf can still speak with authority. This cigar will give you that — a quiet, deliberate, and utterly convincing argument that the pinnacle of Cuban blending is not a marketing story, but a tangible, smokable reality.
Bottom Line
The BHK 52 Torpedo is the benchmark against which all other Cuban cigars must be measured, a singular expression of the Medio Tiempo leaf that delivers a flavor profile no other blend can replicate. It is expensive, occasionally inconsistent, and utterly essential for anyone who claims to understand what Cuban tobacco can achieve.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Cohiba Behike cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Torpedo a strong cigar?
It is rated Medium-Full (4/5), which means it builds from a refined, approachable start in the first third to a firm, sustained intensity by the final third. The strength is felt as a warm, resinous pressure on the palate and a gentle nicotine presence, not as a harsh or overwhelming blast. It will satisfy an experienced smoker but will not knock you off your chair.
What does Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Torpedo taste like?
The first third opens with cream, roasted almonds, dry cedar, and a subtle white pepper on the retrohale, with a restrained dark honey sweetness. The second third deepens into dark espresso, rich cocoa, aged leather, dried fig, and dark cherry, with the signature resinous Medio Tiempo core and intensified Havana spice. The final third converges into espresso grounds, dark chocolate, cedar tar, and a mineral, flint-like finish with a long, bourbon-like warmth.
How long does Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Torpedo take to smoke?
Given its Torpedo (Piramide) vitola and 6.9 x 52 dimensions, expect a session of 90 to 120 minutes. The tapered head requires a slow, deliberate start, and the cigar rewards patience through its extended final third. This is not a smoke for a quick break; it demands an unhurried block of time.
What is the best pairing for Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Torpedo?
A 20-year Ron Zacapa Centenario or Havana Club Unión rum is ideal, as the sweetness and oak harmonize with the cigar's resinous core. Alternatively, a well-aged Cognac like Hennessy Paradis or Rémy Martin Louis XIII will mirror the blend's depth. For wine, an aged Priorat (Clos Mogador, 10+ years) or a structured Ribera del Duero Reserva works best, as their mineral, iron-rich tannins echo the Medio Tiempo's earthy intensity without competing.
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Torpedo good for beginners?
No. At $80–$110 per cigar (with secondary market prices significantly higher), it is a substantial investment, and its Medium-Full strength and dense, resinous flavor profile will overwhelm a novice palate. This is a cigar for experienced smokers who can appreciate the nuances of the Medio Tiempo leaf and have the patience to smoke it slowly. Beginners should start with milder, more affordable Cubans to build their palate before approaching the Behike.
Where can I buy Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Torpedo?
Your only safe sources are La Casa del Habano (LCDH) stores and authorized Habanos S.A. retailers, both in Cuba and in licensed markets worldwide. Given the cigar's prestige and limited production, you will often need to ask for it directly and may face allocation limits. Avoid any online marketplace or individual seller claiming to have stock, as counterfeits are rampant at this price point.
What is the price of Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Torpedo?
The official retail price is $80–$110 per cigar at LCDH and authorized retailers. However, the secondary market commands significantly more, often doubling or tripling that figure depending on box date and availability. This is a prestige-tier purchase, and the price reflects the rarity of the Medio Tiempo leaf and the limited production at El Laguito.
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Torpedo worth aging?
Yes, absolutely. The tobacco is already aged a minimum of two years before rolling, but boxes benefit from 2–5 additional years of humidor rest to fully resolve the blend's intensity. With age, the resinous Medio Tiempo core will mellow slightly, allowing the cream, cedar, and mineral notes to emerge with greater clarity. The Colorado wrapper will also develop additional sweetness, making the final third even more harmonious.
What wrapper does Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Torpedo use?
It uses a Cuban Vuelta Abajo Medio Tiempo leaf wrapper in a Colorado shade, which is a rich chestnut-brown to dark reddish-brown with a silky, subtle natural oil sheen. This wrapper is exceptionally rare — it comes from the top two leaves of the tobacco plant, which are only grown in small quantities and are exclusive to the Behike line. It contributes a distinctive resinous, earthy intensity and a refined sweetness that no other wrapper can replicate.
Where is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 Torpedo made?
It is hand-rolled at the El Laguito factory in Havana, Cuba, by only the most senior torcedores. Production is intentionally limited, and the line was launched in 2010 as a 50th anniversary tribute to Cohiba. The BHK 52 Torpedo is one of only three vitolas in the Behike line, alongside the BHK 54 and BHK 56, and is packaged in distinctive black-lacquered boxes of 10.