Cohiba Behike 52 - Ultra-Premium Cuban Cigar

The BHK 52 announces itself immediately. Rich, warm spice spreads across the palate—not aggressive pepper but sophisticated warmth that signals the Medio Tiempo influence. Leather emerges quickly, thick and textured. The smoke itself feels dense, almost chewy, coating the mouth with every draw. Behind the leather, sweet spice notes appear: nutmeg and cinnamon kept perfectly in check. Cedar provides structure while cream adds smoothness. The body settles at solid medium, confident and controlled.

The middle third is where the BHK 52 separates itself from lesser cigars. Coffee takes center stage—deep, dark roast espresso that melds with the leather into something approaching chocolate truffle. The spice recedes to a background hum, letting the sweeter elements breathe. Vanilla cream drifts through, gentle but unmistakable. The smoke grows even thicker, each draw producing clouds that linger and reveal new layers on the retrohale. Earth tones deepen beneath everything, grounding the complexity.

The final third intensifies without losing composure. The Medio Tiempo leaf asserts itself fully now—dark, rich, and satisfying. Black pepper returns, sharper than before but balanced by a persistent sweetness that refuses to fade. The leather and coffee merge into a single bold note, while cedar smoke on the finish carries everything to a long, lingering conclusion. The burn remains steady, the ash firm and pale. This is a cigar that ends as confidently as it began.

Cohiba introduced the Behike line in 2010 to celebrate the brand's 45th anniversary, though limited quantities appeared at the 2006 Havana Festival. The name honors the Behike—Taíno tribal shamans who used tobacco in sacred rituals. What sets the Behike apart is the incorporation of Medio Tiempo leaf, harvested from only the top two leaves of select sun-grown plants in the Vuelta Abajo valley. These leaves receive the most sunlight, developing exceptional oils and complexity. Fewer than 10% of tobacco plants produce viable Medio Tiempo leaves, making them among the rarest components in Cuban cigar production. The BHK 52, as the smallest format in the line, concentrates this rare tobacco into a compact, intense experience rolled exclusively at the El Laguito factory.