Cohiba Behike is the crown jewel of Habanos—a line born not only from excellence, but from secrecy, ceremony, and deep Cuban tradition. Released in 2010, it redefined luxury by introducing the rare medio tiempo leaf, found only on the highest leaves of select tobacco plants. Its strength, depth, and richness make Behike the boldest and most complex Cohiba ever made.
The name “Behike” is rooted in Taino culture, referring to a tribal spiritual leader—a fitting symbol for a cigar that leads with reverence and refinement. Produced at the famed El Laguito factory, Behike follows the path set by Cohiba’s origins as Fidel Castro’s private blend. Rolled by hand with long filler from Vuelta Abajo, and aged through a unique third fermentation in oak barrels, these cigars are masterpieces of patience and precision.
Behike is available in three vitolas: BHK 52, BHK 54, and BHK 56. Each offers a full-bodied profile, layered with complexity, elegance, and unmatched aroma. With limited production and unparalleled craft, Behike is not just a cigar—it’s Cuba’s finest expression of tradition and taste.
To smoke a Behike is to experience the very soul of Cuban excellence.
Cohiba Behike stands as the most exclusive and refined expression of the Cohiba brand—the crown jewel in the world of Habanos. Introduced in 2010, this exceptional line redefined luxury in the cigar world by introducing a rare and powerful component to its blend: the elusive medio tiempo leaf.
The name Behike is drawn from indigenous terminology, referring to a spiritual leader or healer among native Cuban tribes—a fitting title for what is arguably the most revered cigar in the Cohiba lineage. This line was born not only out of craftsmanship but out of a legacy that began in secrecy and privilege.
Though Cohiba cigars were publicly launched in 1982, their history begins in 1966 when they were produced exclusively for the personal use of the President of Cuba. Crafted in the highly secretive El Laguito factory—established under Fidel Castro’s direction—these cigars were once gifted only to foreign dignitaries and close allies. Legend has it that even Prince Charles received these cigars, which he passed along to others due to being a non-smoker himself.
Cohiba’s name itself comes from the Taino word for a roll of tobacco leaves—the very first cigars witnessed by Columbus upon his arrival in Cuba. The brand emerged when a torcedor named Eduardo Rivera created a blend that captured Fidel Castro’s attention. Castro entrusted Rivera and a select few with producing cigars for his personal enjoyment, leading to the creation of El Laguito, where female cigar rollers were trained—many under the direction of Celia Sanchez.
Unlike the standard Cohiba lines—the Clásica, 1492, and Maduro 5—which already embody excellence through the use of the finest leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region, Behike goes a step further. It incorporates the medio tiempo, a sun-grown leaf found only in the top two leaves of a select few tobacco plants. This leaf is prized for its rich strength and depth, adding a level of complexity and boldness unmatched by any other Habano.
Traditionally, the largest ring gauge from Habanos was 50. But with the launch of Siglo VI (52) and eventually BHK 52, 54, and 56, Habanos broke new ground, not just in size but in flavor structure. These larger ring gauges allow for the inclusion of the rare medio tiempo leaf—classified as Fortaleza Cuatro for its strength—bringing a new level of richness to the smoking experience.
What truly sets Behike apart is its unique fermentation process. Like all Cohibas, the seco, ligero, and medio tiempo leaves undergo an additional fermentation in oak barrels—a technique exclusive to Cohiba that enhances smoothness, aroma, and flavor. But in the Behike line, this meticulous aging process is elevated to an art form. Each cigar is a carefully crafted masterpiece, produced in limited quantities at the legendary El Laguito factory in Havana, Cuba.
Behike is offered in three vitolas: BHK 52, BHK 54, and BHK 56, named for their ring gauges. Each vitola delivers a full-bodied experience, rich in character and complexity, making it the strongest line within the Cohiba portfolio.
From the hand-selected leaves to the slow fermentation and artisanal rolling, every step in the creation of a Behike cigar speaks to an uncompromising dedication to quality. This is not merely a cigar—it is a symbol of heritage, patience, and the pinnacle of Cuban cigar-making tradition.
