Among the worlds luxury goods, Cuban cigars reign supreme. Among Cuban cigars, Cuban Cohiba cigars reign supreme, and among Cohiba cigars, the Cuban Cohiba Behike cigar reings supreme. The Cuban Cohiba Behike is among the worlds most sought after and highest rated cigars. It was at one point the most expensive cigar ever created and was so limited, that the sale of fakes was more lucrative then the sale of a genuine Cohiba.
The name “Cohiba” comes from the Taino word for tobacco. The Taino were an indigenous tribe that live on several Caribbean islands, most notably Cuba. The name Behike is taken from the one of the chiefs of the Taino tribe. The Cuban Cohiba Behike 52 cigar is hand rolled at the legendary El Laguito factory, home of Cuban Cohiba cigars for the better part of a century. The difference between the Behike 52 and its predecessor is the use Medio Tiempo tobaccos, which are the top of the tobacco plant. These leaves get the most sunlight and are inherently stronger and more flavorful. They are layered throughout the cigar to make it one of the strongest Cohiba releases to date.
The Cuban Cohiba Behike 52 cigar is rolled into a thicker robusto size, boasting an impressive 52 ring gauge. The flavor profile is about as complex as I’ve ever had the pleasure of smoking. It starts of rich and spicy before transition to notes of sweet spice, vanilla and cedar towards the middle. The construction is impeccable, with an open draw, an even burn, and a tremendous amount of meaty smoke. I smoked it all the way down to the nub with out having to pick up my lighter one time to make any corrections.
Being amongst the most limited cigars in the world, it is quite difficult to actually find the Cuban Cohiba Behike 52, however there are still some great options that come close in terms of quality and flavor. The Arturo Fuente Chateau Sungrown has a similar size and flavor profile, and is available at almost every cigar shop in the US. However, if by some ungodly luck you are able to find the Cuban Cohiba Behike 52, it is a must have.
