Cigar Review: Cohiba Behike BHK 54 (Cuban)
28 Jul 2011
The Cohiba Behike has embodied the very definition of cigar hype since it was announced in February 2010 and hit international retailers in May of that year. Habanos SA, Cuba’s state-owned tobacco monopoly, called it “the new standard among smokers worldwide.†Longtime enthusiasts lauded it for ushering in a second era of Cuban dominance. And Cigar Aficionado named one of the Behike sizes the top smoke of 2010—awarding it a whopping 97 points.
To say this cigar has earned its fair share of press and accolades would be a massive understatement. This hype is due, at least in part, to the exorbitant prices commanded by the three Behike vitolas, which can reach as high as $75 per cigar depending on the market. Notwithstanding that cost, boxes of Behikes (named for the Taino word for sorcerer or doctor) have been selling out all over the world, making the El Laguito-made brand exceptionally rare.
The BHK 54 (5.7 x 54) certainly has the look of luxury and exclusivity. Packaged in a sleek black box of ten, complete with a fabric underside and a magnet latch, the cigar comes dressed in a beautiful reddish wrapper and a hologram-faced band. Beneath are tightly packed filler tobaccos, at least a portion of which is medio tiempo—a type of sun-grown leaf that’s found at the top of some tobacco plants.
Clipping away a small portion of the pigtail cap reveals an easy draw despite the crowded cross-section of interior tobaccos. Here you’ll find a gentle aroma of hay and honey. Once lit, the BHK 54 starts medium-bodied with subtle notes of cedar, coffee, earth, cream, and grass. I also find powdery cinnamon on the finish, especially after the midway point. But identifying these individual tastes doesn’t accurately describe the profile. The theme throughout is balance and restraint, and this harmony makes it difficult to pick out the components of the sum.
The flavors themselves—or, rather, the overall effect of the flavors—doesn’t change much from beginning to end. I suspect some will find this annoying given the cigar’s price, while others will be pleased with the consistency of the balance. Either way, the profile is amplified in the final third but remains in the medium-bodied spectrum. And all the while the physical properties are superb (including a finely layered gray ash that will hold strong beyond expectation).
At the end of the day, I can’t help but factor price into the equation when deriving a final rating for the Behike BHK 54. Is this Cuban really worth $500-600 for a box of 10? No, especially when you consider the other cigars you can buy with that kind of money. That said, this is a wonderful creation in its own right, and one that promises to deliver a memorable experience to the lucky few who get to try it. So I’m settling on a rating of four stogies out of five.
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photo credit: Stogie Guys
I should have mentioned above that the two Behikes I smoked for this review were flawless in appearance. One one pictured above arrived with some minor imperfections (a few of which are visible in the photo).
This was pretty annoying given the astronomical cost of the cigar.
For abunch oof commies, they sure know how to work supply and demand to put out a $60 cigar that is constantly sold out.
I'd buy five great cigars (Cuban or not) instead of one of these everytime.
It's a good cigar no doubt, but i share the sentiment that the cost makes it a difficult luxury to enjoy on a regular basis (unless you're rich, i suppose). I did a video review of the Behike 54 here http://mycigarblog.org/blog/?p=2103
Your review clearly demo's how inexperienced you are. Because of this review, your others are irrelevant. Behike is the perfect cigar that gets 7 out of 5…
I like the Behike, but the price it outrageous. Considering that I could buy three or four excellent non-Cuban cigars for the same price (or two or three top non-Behike Cubans) I'm not sure how the price could ever be justified.
Still, I understand why people like the Behike so much. There's nothing wrong with it… except the price.
I dont normally write out reviews but this just amazing. now let me tell I am one who considers the Cohiba name a bit overrated but I tried the 54s of these and was simply blow away! It is so creamy and full of flavor. Definitely top 3 cigars of all time on my list.
anybody know where to purchase authentic behikes online….
The foliage of this cigar are assumed to suck up the most sun consequently generate a unique flavor profile. That is simply beautiful.