AshMap
Overview
The Cohiba Behike BHK 52 is not merely a cigar; it is a declaration. From the moment the lacquered box opens, releasing a perfume of aged cedar and faint honey, you understand this is Havana speaking in its most deliberate voice. The BHK 52, the entry point to the trilogy that redefined Cuban prestige, arrives with the weight of history — the Medio Tiempo leaf, once discarded as too volatile, now the signature of a blend that commands attention without raising its voice. This is Cohiba at its most introspective, a smoke that asks you to lean in, not lean back.
Pre-light, the foot offers a quiet promise: dried apricot, soft earth, and a whisper of white pepper that hints at the intensity to come. The cold draw is clean, almost sweet, with a touch of hay and cocoa. As the flame kisses the foot, the first third erupts in a focused beam of creamy white pepper — surgical, precise, unmistakably Medio Tiempo. It rides atop a bed of refined cedar and roasted espresso, while dark cocoa and toasted almond weave through the smoke, creating a texture that is simultaneously rich and airy. The balance is astonishing; nothing shouts, yet every note is audible. The ash forms a pale grey column, dense and firm, holding over an inch before reluctantly dropping.
By the second third, the pepper softens into a structural undercurrent, allowing leather and dried fig to surface. A floral note — almost violet — emerges, unexpected and delicate, threading through the cedar and espresso backbone. The retrohale is where the Behike reveals its architecture: layers of spice, cream, and a faint sweetness that lingers long after the smoke clears. The body builds to medium-full, but the strength is never aggressive; it is a sustained, intellectual buzz that sharpens focus rather than dulling it. The burn remains razor-sharp, a testament to El Laguito’s obsessive construction, and the draw offers just the right resistance — firm, never plugged, each puff a study in controlled release.
As the final third approaches, the cigar crescendos with dark chocolate and aged leather, grounded by an earthiness that evokes Vuelta Abajo soil after rain. Nutmeg and black pepper re-emerge, but they are softened by a creamy, almost honeyed finish that defies the medium-full body. The last inch burns cool, leaving a final impression of elegance rather than heat. This is a cigar that does not end; it resolves. The BHK 52 is not for the impatient or the distracted. It demands ninety minutes of your life and returns a meditation on what Cuban tobacco can achieve when rarity is met with mastery. In a world of limited editions and hype, this is the rare smoke that justifies every word written about it.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Seco leaf — Vuelta Abajo, Pinar del Río; notably incorporates Medio Tiempo — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban — Vuelta Abajo Seco |
| Filler | Cuban Vuelta Abajo Seco, Ligero, and critically, Medio Tiempo — the rarest primings from the top two leaves of select to |
| Country of Origin | Cuba — El Laguito factory, Havana |
| Vitola / Shape | Robusto Extra |
| Size | 5.8 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $50–$80 per cigar (authorized dealers); secondary market and duty-free pricing varies significantly |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Minimum two years post-rolling aging declared by Habanos S.A.; Medio Tiempo leaves themselves undergo extended curing be |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The opening third announces itself with refined cedar, roasted espresso, and a distinctive creamy white pepper — the Medio Tiempo making its presence known immediately with a focused, almost surgical spice. Beneath that, a rich vein of dark cocoa and toasted almond emerges, framed by excellent balance that rarely wavers.
Second Third
Complexity deepens considerably in the middle third as leather, dried fig, and a subtle floral note — almost violets — interweave with the continuing cedar and espresso backbone. The Medio Tiempo spice softens slightly but remains a consistent undercurrent, providing structure and length on the palate that distinguishes the Behike from virtually every other Cuban smoke.
Final Third
The final third delivers a commanding crescendo of dark chocolate, aged leather, and a gentle earthiness reminiscent of fertile Vuelta Abajo soil after rain. A touch of nutmeg and black pepper re-emerges, and the retrohale produces a long, creamy finish with remarkable sweetness that belies the cigar's medium-full body. It finishes with elegance, not aggression.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction at El Laguito is meticulous — the BHK 52 typically exhibits an impeccable, razor-sharp burn line, firm pack, and a draw that requires the slightest resistance without ever becoming plugged. Ash is dense, firm, and pale grey-white, holding 1.5 to 2 inches with ease — a hallmark of properly aged Cuban leaf.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A well-aged Cuban rum such as Ron Santiago de Cuba 12 Year or Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva — the rum's sugarcane sweetness and vanilla harmonize with the Medio Tiempo's spice. Alternatively, a Cognac of VSOP or XO grade (Hennessy XO, Rémy Martin XO) mirrors the cigar's dried fruit and floral complexity without overwhelming it.
Wine
A structured Rioja Gran Reserva — Marqués de Murrieta or La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 — whose tempranillo tannins and leather/cherry notes echo the BHK's secondary flavors beautifully. Avoid heavily oaked New World reds which will clash with the delicate floral register.
Non-Alcoholic
A double espresso — ideally Cuban-style, unsweetened — drawn slowly alongside the second third. The coffee amplifies the cocoa and roasted notes while providing a cleansing contrast to the creamy retrohale.
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a collector who has spent a decade chasing vintage Havanas, who can identify a Partagás by its first puff and owns a humidor that reads like a museum catalog. This is someone who has earned their palate through years of quiet observation, not loud consumption. They are marking a personal milestone — a retirement, a reconciliation, a hard-won achievement — and they choose the BHK 52 not for its price tag but for its ability to hold space for reflection. They pour a glass of Santiago de Cuba 12 Year, settle into a leather chair on a cool evening, and let the cigar unfold at its own pace. They already appreciate the floral notes of a Trinidad or the earth of a Montecristo, but they seek something that bridges both — a smoke that rewards patience with complexity. This cigar will give them a rare hour and a half of uninterrupted presence, a sensory journey that feels both familiar and revelatory, and a finish that lingers in memory long after the ash is tapped.
Bottom Line
The Cohiba Behike BHK 52 is a masterclass in balance, where Medio Tiempo’s intensity is tamed into a symphony of cedar, cocoa, and floral grace. It is the rare cigar that justifies its legend — and its price. Smoke it when you are ready to listen.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Cohiba Robusto cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 a strong cigar?
It is rated Medium-Full (4/5) on our strength scale. The nicotine delivery is noticeable but never overwhelming; the Medio Tiempo leaf adds a focused spice and a sustained, cerebral buzz rather than a heavy body punch. It is more about intensity of flavor than raw strength, making it suitable for experienced smokers who appreciate a long, evolving session.
What does Cohiba Behike BHK 52 taste like?
The flavor progression moves from refined cedar, roasted espresso, and creamy white pepper in the first third, to leather, dried fig, and violet-like florals in the second, and culminates in dark chocolate, aged leather, and damp earth with nutmeg and black pepper on the finish. The retrohale is creamy with a surprising sweetness throughout.
How long does Cohiba Behike BHK 52 take to smoke?
Given its Robusto Extra vitola (5.8 x 52), expect a smoking time of approximately 90 minutes. The dense pack and slow-burning construction encourage a leisurely pace; rushing it would compromise the delicate balance of flavors.
What is the best pairing for Cohiba Behike BHK 52?
A well-aged Cuban rum like Santiago de Cuba 12 Year is ideal — its sugarcane sweetness and vanilla notes harmonize with the Medio Tiempo spice without overpowering the floral register. Alternatively, a VSOP or XO Cognac (e.g., Hennessy XO) mirrors the dried fruit and floral complexity. For non-alcoholic options, a double espresso drawn slowly during the second third amplifies the cocoa and roasted notes.
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 good for beginners?
No. This is a Medium-Full strength cigar priced at $50–$80 per stick (authorized dealers), with a complexity that requires palate experience to fully appreciate. Beginners would be better served by milder, more affordable Cubans like a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 before approaching the Behike.
Where can I buy Cohiba Behike BHK 52?
Authorized Habanos specialists and high-end cigar retailers are the primary sources, though availability is limited due to annual allocations. Duty-free shops in Cuban airports and select international destinations occasionally stock them, but beware of counterfeits — always purchase from verified dealers with sealed, numbered boxes.
What is the price of Cohiba Behike BHK 52?
The authorized dealer price ranges from $50 to $80 per cigar, depending on market and taxes. Secondary market prices can be significantly higher, often exceeding $100 per stick, while duty-free pricing may be slightly lower but still premium. Expect to pay a premium for the rarity and prestige.
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 worth aging?
Absolutely. While it is already aged a minimum of two years post-rolling (with Medio Tiempo leaves undergoing extended curing), the BHK 52 benefits from additional humidor time. Over 3–5 years, the white pepper softens further, the floral notes deepen, and the finish becomes even creamier. The wrapper’s Colorado hue suggests it can handle aging without losing its vibrancy.
What wrapper does Cohiba Behike BHK 52 use?
It uses a Cuban Seco leaf from Vuelta Abajo, Pinar del Río, notably incorporating Medio Tiempo — the rare primings from the top two leaves of select tobacco plants. This wrapper is Colorado in color, warm chestnut brown with a silky sheen and fine tooth, contributing both the cigar’s visual appeal and its signature creamy white pepper spice.
Where is Cohiba Behike BHK 52 made?
It is hand-rolled at the El Laguito factory in Havana, Cuba — the birthplace of Cohiba. This is the same facility that produces the classic Cohiba line, and the Behike series is crafted in limited annual allocations with numbered bands, making each box a collector’s item.