Cohiba Behike (BHK 52, 54, 56): Complete Guide
The Cohiba Behike is the most exclusive line of the Cuban Cohiba brand. It is built around a rare leaf called medio tiempo and produced in very limited quantities. This guide covers what the Behike is, where it comes from, how the three core sizes differ, what reviewers say it tastes like, and how to tell a genuine box from a counterfeit.
Quick facts
| Brand | Cohiba (Habanos S.A., Cuba) |
| Line launched | February 2010, XII Habanos Festival, Havana |
| Core sizes | BHK 52, BHK 54, BHK 56 |
| Fourth size | BHK 58 (7 x 58), introduced at the XXV Festival del Habano 2025; sold only in a four-cigar 15th-anniversary sampler |
| Factory | El Laguito |
| Signature leaf | Medio tiempo |
| Genuine box count | 10 cigars |
| Name origin | Taíno behique, a healer or tribal leader |
What is the Cohiba Behike?
"BHK" is the shorthand for Behike. Habanos describes the original BHK 52 as made in very limited quantities at the El Laguito factory, using tobacco from the San Juan y Martínez and San Luis zones of the Vuelta Abajo, and using medio tiempo leaf in the blend for the first time.
Medio tiempo is a scarce leaf. Habanos describes it as coming from the top two leaves of sun-grown plants. Cigar Aficionado reports that Cuba had long processed it with other ligero tobaccos before using it as a special ingredient in the Behike.
History and name
The name comes from the Taíno people, the indigenous inhabitants of Cuba. A behique was a healer or chief, and the Taíno head is already a symbol of the Cohiba brand.
Two dates appear in the record, and they should not be confused. Cigar Aficionado reports an earlier commemorative release in 2006, tied to Cohiba's 40th anniversary, limited to 4,000 numbered cigars sold in 100 humidors. The regular Behike line with the BHK 52, 54 and 56 was introduced at the Habanos Festival in Havana in February 2010. The BHK 52 was named Cigar Aficionado's Cigar of the Year for 2010, with 97 points.
Sizes: BHK 52, 54 and 56
The numbers are ring gauges. The three sizes correspond to the El Laguito vitolas Laguito No. 4, 5 and 6.
| Size | Ring gauge | Approx. length | Vitola |
|---|---|---|---|
| BHK 52 | 52 | 4 3/4 in (119 mm) | Laguito No. 4 |
| BHK 54 | 54 | about 5 2/3 to 5 3/4 in (144 mm) | Laguito No. 5 |
| BHK 56 | 56 | 6 1/2 in (166 mm) | Laguito No. 6 |
Published lengths vary slightly between sources, particularly for the BHK 54, so treat the figures for the 54 and 56 as approximate.
A fourth size, the BHK 58 (7 x 58), was introduced at the XXV Festival del Habano in 2025. It is sold only in a four-cigar 15th-anniversary sampler containing the 52, 54, 56 and 58, not as a single size.
Flavor profile
Reviews describe the Behike as medium-to-full bodied. Cigar Aficionado's review of the BHK 52 notes creamy coffee flavors with some earthiness and good balance even when young. Its 2013 review of the BHK 54 (94 points) describes a bold, leathery smoke with an earthy core and notes of coffee bean. Individual cigars vary, and ratings differ by size: Cigar Aficionado reports the BHK 56 has not scored above 90 points.
Limited-release nature
Habanos describes production as very limited, a consequence of how little medio tiempo leaf each plant yields. In practice, availability is uneven and a given box size can be hard to find. Price depends on the release, the box size and the seller, so compare reputable sellers rather than relying on a single figure.
Packaging compared with other Cohiba ranges
The Behike has its own presentation: a lacquered box of 10. Cigar Aficionado states that any Behike box of 25 is counterfeit, and that a four-cigar gift pack holding one of each size exists.
How to recognise a genuine box
Cigar Aficionado's authentication guide lists these points:
- Count: genuine boxes hold 10 cigars.
- Finish: high-gloss lacquer with gold highlights and blue-gray squares; the lid is solid, with no ridges, collars or brooches.
- Interior: hinges branded "Cohiba" and a smooth felt bottom, not exposed wood grain.
- Outer packaging: the glossy box sits in a felt covering inside a black cardboard box carrying a Habanos sticker and the Cuban guarantee seal.
- Bands: a holographic Taíno head with a smaller head inside it, holographic repeats on the gilded top edge, and a checkered pattern of Behike and Cohiba boxes in gold foil. Bands from 2014 add a holographic security strip on the back.
If any of these features is missing, treat the box as suspect. No single check is conclusive, because counterfeiters copy details, so combine them with the seller's track record.
How to buy responsibly
- Buy only from licensed Habanos dealers or established retailers that stand behind authenticity. Cigar Aficionado notes genuine Behikes are rarely sold outside licensed dealers, so an unusually cheap offer from an unlicensed seller is a warning sign.
- Ask for clear photos of the box interior, seals and bands before paying, and keep records of the purchase.
- Store cigars at stable humidity and temperature, away from direct light.
- Rules on importing Cuban cigars differ by country, so check your local laws before purchasing or importing. For adults only.