AshMap
Overview
The Cohiba Behike BHK 56 is not a cigar you smoke; it is a cigar you surrender to. From the first cold draw—dark cocoa, dried fig, that faint barnyard whisper of aged Cuban earth—it announces itself as a rare artifact, a blend built around the mythical Medio Tiempo leaf, the sun-scorched top leaves of the plant that carry a concentration of oils and power no other Cuban cigar dares to harness. This is the largest of the Behike vitolas, and the extra ring gauge is not indulgence; it is necessity, giving that precious leaf room to breathe and unfurl its full aromatic spectrum. At El Laguito, where Cohiba was born, the most senior torcedores roll each BHK 56 by hand, and you feel that reverence in every dense, even draw.
Light it, and the first third is a study in controlled power. Creamy cedar and roasted espresso coat the palate with a buttery texture that is almost decadent, while white pepper tingles on the retrohale—the Medio Tiempo announcing itself not with a shout but with a firm hand on your shoulder. The smoke is thick, blue-grey, and impossibly aromatic, filling the room with a scent that is part bakery, part forest floor. By the second third, the blend opens like a locked cabinet revealing its treasures: dark chocolate, seasoned leather, toasted almonds, and that signature San Luis floral note—dried rose petals or violet, elusive and haunting. A honeyed sweetness threads through the earthiness, and the retrohale shifts to warm cinnamon bark and a faint anise, a spice that lingers without ever turning sharp.
The final third is where the Medio Tiempo flexes its authority. Strength builds to a confident medium-full, but balance never wavers. Dark molasses, espresso grounds, roasted meats, and a deep mineral earthiness dominate, while the finish stretches for minutes—dark fruit, leather, and a lingering spice that feels like a memory you cannot quite place. The cigar never turns bitter, never rushes, never loses its composure. The ash holds in firm, layered columns, the burn line ruler-straight, and the draw requires no correction—a testament to the hands that rolled it. This is a two-hour meditation, a cigar that demands your full attention and rewards it with a complexity that feels less like smoking and more like reading a novel written in smoke.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban Seco and Medio Tiempo — Vuelta Abajo, Cuba — Colorado Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Cuban Seco — Vuelta Abajo, Cuba |
| Filler | Cuban Seco, Ligero, and the rare Medio Tiempo leaf from Vuelta Abajo, San Luis and San Juan y Martínez regions; aged a m |
| Country of Origin | Cuba — El Laguito factory, Havana |
| Vitola / Shape | Gran Toro |
| Size | 6.0 x 56 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $80–$120 per cigar depending on market and import duties |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Minimum two years post-rolling aging declared by Habanos S.A.; the Medio Tiempo leaf itself undergoes extensive curing; |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw offers dark cocoa, dried fig, and a whisper of barnyard earthiness characteristic of aged Cuban leaf. On the light, the first puffs deliver a creamy cedar and roasted espresso foundation with subtle white pepper on the retrohale — the Medio Tiempo announcing itself without aggression. A rich, almost buttery texture coats the palate immediately.
Second Third
Complexity escalates with layers of dark chocolate, seasoned leather, toasted almonds, and a distinct floral note — often described as dried rose petals or violet — that is a hallmark of San Luis Medio Tiempo. The smoke becomes denser and more aromatic, with a honeyed sweetness threading through the earthiness. Retrohale shifts to warm spice: cinnamon bark and a faint anise.
Final Third
The final third is where the Medio Tiempo flexes its authority — strength builds to medium-full without sacrificing balance or harshness. Notes of dark molasses, espresso grounds, roasted meats, and a deep mineral earthiness dominate. A long, complex finish of dark fruit, leather, and lingering spice remains for several minutes after each draw. The cigar never turns sharp or bitter if properly humidified.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is impeccable — El Laguito's master torcedores produce a firm, even roll with a near-perfect draw that requires no correction. The burn line is ruler-straight, producing a dense, blue-grey smoke; the ash holds in firm, layered columns of one to two inches before releasing cleanly.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A well-aged Cuban rum such as Ron Zacapa 23 Solera or Havana Club Unión is the canonical match; alternatively, a 12–18 year Scotch single malt from Speyside (Glenfarclas 15 or Aberlour 18) mirrors the cigar's dried fruit and sherry-wood qualities without overpowering the delicate Medio Tiempo florals.
Wine
A mature Priorat or Ribera del Duero Reserva — Álvaro Palacios 'Camins del Priorat' or Vega Sicilia 'Valbuena 5°' — whose Tempranillo-driven dark fruit, leather, and earthy minerality aligns precisely with the BHK 56's profile.
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe pour-over or a cortado made with high-grade Cuban Turquino beans; the floral and dark-fruit coffee notes echo the cigar's second-third profile with striking synergy.
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has smoked every regional edition and limited release, who can identify a Vuelta Abajo wrapper blindfolded, and who has been waiting for the right moment to open the box they have aged for three years. It is for a quiet Tuesday evening after a significant professional milestone—a partnership signed, a book finished, a retirement celebrated—when the phone is off and the evening stretches unhurried. They already love the BHK 52 but found it too restrained; they crave the full expression of the Medio Tiempo leaf. They will pour a glass of Ron Zacapa 23, sit on a leather chair with a view of the garden, and let the cigar take them through its arc. This cigar will give them not just a smoke, but a memory—a benchmark against which all future Cubans will be measured.
Bottom Line
The Behike BHK 56 is Cuba's finest 21st-century achievement, a cigar where the legendary Medio Tiempo leaf transforms a blend into an experience of near-spiritual depth. It is worth every dollar of its premium price—if you can find an authentic one, buy it without hesitation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 56 a strong cigar?
It is rated Medium-Full (4/5) on AshMap's scale. The strength builds gradually, starting medium in the first third and peaking in the final third, but it never becomes harsh or overpowering. The Medio Tiempo leaf adds potency, but the balance keeps it approachable for experienced smokers.
What does Cohiba Behike BHK 56 taste like?
The flavor progression moves from creamy cedar and roasted espresso with white pepper in the first third, to dark chocolate, seasoned leather, toasted almonds, and dried rose petals in the second, and finishes with dark molasses, espresso grounds, roasted meats, and mineral earthiness. A honeyed sweetness and cinnamon-anise spice thread through the retrohale.
How long does Cohiba Behike BHK 56 take to smoke?
As a Gran Toro (6.0 x 56), expect a smoking time of 90 minutes to two hours, depending on your pace. It is a cigar to be savored slowly, not rushed.
What is the best pairing for Cohiba Behike BHK 56?
A well-aged Cuban rum like Ron Zacapa 23 Solera or Havana Club Unión is the canonical match, as its dried fruit and oak notes echo the cigar's dark fruit and leather. Alternatively, a 12–18 year Speyside single malt like Glenfarclas 15 mirrors the sherry-wood sweetness without overpowering the delicate florals.
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 56 good for beginners?
No. With a Medium-Full strength rating and a price of $80–$120 per cigar, this is not a beginner's smoke. Its complexity and power require a developed palate to appreciate, and the cost makes it impractical for learning. Start with milder Cubans like a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 before attempting this.
Where can I buy Cohiba Behike BHK 56?
Authentic Behike BHK 56s are sold through authorized Habanos specialists, such as La Casa del Habano stores worldwide, and select high-end tobacconists with verified Habanos accounts. Given the prevalence of counterfeits, always check the Habanos hologram and box code verification before purchase.
What is the price of Cohiba Behike BHK 56?
Depending on market and import duties, expect to pay $80–$120 per cigar. Prices vary significantly by country due to taxes and availability, but this is firmly in the prestige tier.
Is Cohiba Behike BHK 56 worth aging?
Yes. Habanos S.A. declares a minimum of two years post-rolling aging, and the Medio Tiempo leaf undergoes extensive curing before that. Further aging in a well-maintained humidor will soften the pepper, deepen the honeyed sweetness, and integrate the floral notes even more seamlessly. However, it is already excellent now, so you can enjoy it immediately or cellar it for 3–5 years for added complexity.
What wrapper does Cohiba Behike BHK 56 use?
It uses a Cuban Seco and Medio Tiempo wrapper from Vuelta Abajo, Cuba, in a Colorado Maduro shade. This wrapper is deep reddish-brown, silky, and slightly oily with minimal veining, contributing notes of dark cocoa and earth while allowing the Medio Tiempo's power to shine through.
Where is Cohiba Behike BHK 56 made?
It is made in Cuba at the El Laguito factory in Havana, the birthplace of Cohiba. Only the most senior torcedores hand-roll the Behike line, and production numbers are tightly controlled by Habanos S.A., adding to its rarity and prestige.