Cohiba Behike 52: The Ultimate Luxury Cuban Cigar Experience

There are premium cigars. There are exceptional cigars. And then there is the Cohiba Behike 52.

In the world of Cuban luxury cigars, few names carry the weight that the Cohiba Behike line commands. Introduced in 2006 to celebrate Cohiba’s 40th anniversary, the Behike collection was never intended to be an everyday smoke. It was designed to be the absolute pinnacle the finest expression of Cuban tobacco craftsmanship that Habanos S.A. had ever produced.

The Cohiba Behike BHK 52 sits at the entry point of this legendary trio, yet calling it an entry-level cigar feels almost insulting. It is a masterpiece in its own right complex, refined, and deeply satisfying in ways that few premium Cuban cigars ever achieve.

If you have ever wondered what separates a truly extraordinary cigar from a merely great one, the Behike 52 provides the answer in every single draw.

What Is the Cohiba Behike 52?

The story of the Cohiba Behike cigar begins with a name. Behike was the title given to the spiritual leader the shaman of the Taíno people, the indigenous inhabitants of Cuba. It was the Behike who first used tobacco in sacred rituals. Choosing this name was no accident. It signals something rare, something powerful, something bordering on the spiritual.

Habanos S.A. launched the Behike line in extremely limited quantities, initially exclusively for the Habanos World Challenge event in 2006. The worldwide commercial release followed in 2010, but production remained tightly controlled. The line comprises three sizes the BHK 52, the BHK 54, and the BHK 56 each named after their ring gauge.

What makes the Cohiba Behike 52 truly historic is not just the Cohiba name. It is what is inside.

Cohiba Behike 52 Specifications

Understanding the anatomy of this cigar helps appreciate why it commands such reverence.

• Vitola: Short Belicoso
• Length: 129mm (5.1 inches)
• Ring Gauge: 52
• Wrapper: Cuban Sun Grown — silky, oily, dark Colorado
• Binder: Cuban tobacco
• Filler: Cuban tobacco including the rare Medio Tiempo leaf
• Smoke Time: Approximately 60 to 75 minutes
• Strength: Medium to Full
• Origin: El Laguito Factory, Havana, Cuba

Construction and Appearance

The moment you hold a Cohiba Behike BHK 52, the quality is immediately apparent.

The wrapper is a deep, rich Colorado brown almost mahogany in certain light with a subtle, natural oiliness that catches the eye. The surface is remarkably smooth, with very few visible veins. The seams are near invisible, a testament to the extraordinary skill of the torcedores at El Laguito, Cohiba’s legendary factory in Havana.

The belicoso tip is neatly and precisely formed. The cigar feels substantial in the hand  firm, evenly packed, with no soft spots or inconsistencies along its length.

The cold draw before cutting reveals immediate complexity. Expect notes of cedar, dried fruit, and a whisper of sweet spice even before the flame touches the foot.

Combustion is, as expected from a cigar of this calibre, exemplary. The burn line is razor sharp and consistent throughout, requiring almost no touch-ups. The ash is dense, firm, and a clean light grey a hallmark of well-fermented, high-quality Cuban leaf.

Cohiba Behike 52 Tasting Notes

This is where the Cohiba Behike 52 truly reveals its genius. The flavour profile is layered, evolving, and deeply complex a journey rather than a destination.

The First Third

The opening draws are elegant and measured. The Behike 52 does not overwhelm immediately it introduces itself with quiet confidence.

Expect creamy cedar on the palate, underpinned by toasted nuts and a refined earthiness. There is a gentle sweetness almost like vanilla bean that lingers on the retrohale. The strength at this stage is medium, perfectly balanced and remarkably smooth.

The Second Third

This is where the Cohiba Behike cigar shifts into something remarkable.

The creaminess deepens and the complexity increases significantly. Rich dark chocolate and espresso notes emerge, layered with leather and a beautiful, warming spice that sits on the back of the palate without aggression. The Medio Tiempo leaf begins to make its presence known here — adding a depth and concentration of flavour that is simply not achievable with standard Cuban filler tobacco.

The Final Third

The final third of the BHK 52 is a crescendo of everything that came before.

The flavours are at their most concentrated and intense dark espresso, rich earth, black pepper, and a long, complex finish that lingers on the palate for minutes after each draw. There is a beautifully sweet aftertaste that balances the increased strength perfectly.

This is the section of the cigar where experienced smokers slow down deliberately. Every draw deserves attention.

Why Is the Cohiba Behike 52 So Expensive?

The price of the Cohiba Behike BHK 52 raises eyebrows but it is entirely justified when you understand what goes into every single cigar.

The Medio Tiempo Leaf

This is the defining ingredient of the entire Behike line and the primary reason for its extraordinary flavour.

The Medio Tiempo is an exceptionally rare tobacco leaf that grows only on the very top of certain Cuban tobacco plants specifically in the Vuelta Abajo region of Pinar del Río, widely regarded as the finest tobacco-growing soil on earth.

Limited, Controlled Production

The Cohiba Behike cigar is produced in deliberately restricted quantities. Every cigar is hand-rolled by only the most senior and experienced torcedores at El Laguito a factory that already produces exclusively for the Cohiba brand.

The Cohiba Legacy

The Cohiba name alone carries a premium that no other Cuban brand commands. Originally created for Fidel Castro and Cuban state gifts, the brand has always been synonymous with the very best Cuba has to offer. The Behike line represents the apex of that legacy.

Who Should Smoke the Cohiba Behike 52?

The Behike 52 cigar is not for the faint-hearted or the inexperienced.

This is a cigar best appreciated by someone who has spent time exploring the world of premium Cuban cigars and developed a palate capable of recognising and appreciating genuine complexity. If you are relatively new to cigars, the Cohiba Siglo or Robustos range would serve as a better introduction to the Cohiba family.

For the seasoned connoisseur, however, the BHK 52 is a bucket list cigar. It is perfect for:

• Celebrating a major personal or professional milestone
• A quiet, unhurried evening with a fine single malt or aged rum
• Adding to a serious cigar collection
• Gifting someone who truly appreciates Cuban luxury cigars at their finest

This is not a cigar you smoke in a hurry. It demands your time, your attention, and your respect.

Cigar Care and Storage

Given the investment involved in purchasing a Cohiba Behike BHK 52, proper storage is absolutely non-negotiable.

Ideal storage conditions:

• Humidity: 65–68% relative humidity
• Temperature: 18–21°C
• Humidor: Cedar-lined, quality construction with a reliable seal
• Humidity Management: Boveda 65% packs are highly recommended for consistent, passive humidity control

Aging Potential

The Cohiba Behike 52 is one of the rare cigars that genuinely benefits from extended aging. The Medio Tiempo leaf continues to develop and mellow over time, with many experts suggesting that cigars aged 5 to 10 years under ideal conditions reach a level of complexity and smoothness that is almost transcendent.

Final Verdict on the Cohiba Behike 52

The Cohiba Behike BHK 52 is, without question, one of the greatest cigars ever made.

Its strengths are many and significant flawless construction, a rare and extraordinary filler blend, a flavour profile of breathtaking complexity, and the heritage of the most prestigious cigar brand in the world behind every single leaf.