The Cohiba Behike BHK 56 is the largest and most powerful cigar in Cohiba’s ultra-exclusive Behike line. This full-bodied 6.5″ x 56 vitola layers cocoa, espresso, and leather around the rare medio tiempo leaf. The ultimate Habano for the dedicated collector.
The Cohiba Behike 56 (BHK 56) is the largest vitola in the prestigious Behike line, launched in 2010. It features the rare Medio Tiempo tobacco leaf that grows at the very top of select tobacco plants.
Tasting Notes
Rich, complex flavor profile with notes of cedar, leather, earth, coffee, and dark chocolate. The large ring gauge allows for a cooler, more refined smoke with exceptional balance.
Does the Cohiba Behike 56 Live Up to Its Legendary Reputation?
Look, I’ve been smoking cigars since Clinton was in office, and I’ll be straight with you – I’ve never had more mixed feelings about a single stick than I did with the Cohiba Behike 56. We’re talking about one of the most coveted Cuban cigars you can legally get your hands on, and that’s saying something in a world where premium Habanos already carry serious prestige.
I remember the first time I held one. Must’ve been 2010, maybe 2011. My buddy Carlos (who runs a shop down in Miami) had gotten his hands on a box and was practically treating them like religious artifacts. “These are different,” he kept saying, and honestly? I thought he was just buying into the hype.
Boy, was I wrong.
First Impressions: When Premium Actually Means Something
The construction on these things is just stupid good. And I mean that in the best way possible. The wrapper – that gorgeous Medio Tiempo leaf they use – feels like silk that’s been aged in a Cuban cave for decades. Which, knowing Cohiba’s aging process, it basically has been.
What strikes you first isn’t the band (though that triple-band setup is pretty slick). It’s the weight. This isn’t some airy, loosely-packed disappointment. The Behike 56 has this substantial feel that immediately tells you someone took their sweet time rolling it. The pre-light draw? Perfect resistance. Not too tight, not too loose – just enough to let you know this thing’s going to burn evenly.
I’ve probably smoked… oh, maybe fifteen or twenty of these over the years, and I can count on one hand the times I’ve had construction issues. That’s pretty remarkable for any cigar, let alone one this complex.
The Flavor Journey: Why This Isn’t Your Average Cohiba
Here’s where things get interesting, and where I’m gonna disagree with a lot of the reviews you’ll read online. Everyone talks about cigars in these neat little thirds – first third this, second third that. But the Behike 56 doesn’t smoke like that. It’s more like a conversation that evolves naturally.
Right off the bat, you’re getting this creamy, almost buttery richness that’s distinctly Cohiba, but cranked up to eleven. There’s leather there – not harsh, tannery leather, but more like the inside of a finely made briefcase. Within the first inch, I’m already tasting hints of what’s coming: dark chocolate, coffee beans, and this subtle spiciness that never quite announces itself but never really leaves either.
The middle section (and I use that term loosely) is where the Medio Tiempo leaf really starts flexing. This is tobacco that only grows on the top two leaves of shade-grown plants, and you can taste the difference. There’s an intensity here that I’ve never experienced with regular Cohibas. It’s not harsh – God no – but it’s powerful. Rich doesn’t even begin to cover it.
You know what it reminds me of? Remember that scene in Sideways where Paul Giamatti’s character describes that perfect Pinot Noir? That’s what smoking a Behike 56 feels like. Every puff reveals something new. Sometimes it’s vanilla. Sometimes it’s cedar. There was one memorable evening (smoking on my deck during a thunderstorm, don’t ask) where I swear I tasted honey and black pepper at the same time.
The final act brings everything together in this symphony of flavors that… look, I’m not usually one for flowery language, but it’s genuinely moving. The strength never gets overwhelming, but the complexity just keeps building until that last puff.
What I Pair With These (And What You Shouldn’t)
I’ve experimented a lot here, sometimes successfully, sometimes not so much. Let me save you some mistakes.
My go-to pairing? A really good aged rum. I’m talking about something like Zacapa 23 or, if I’m feeling particularly indulgent, some Havana Club Máximo Extra Añejo. The sweetness complements that creamy richness without competing with the tobacco’s complexity. Coffee works too – but not just any coffee. I’ve had great success with Cuban coffee (obviously) or a really smooth Ethiopian single-origin.
Scotch? Here’s where I might ruffle some feathers. I think most scotches are too aggressive for the Behike 56. Yeah, I said it. The smoke from peated Islay whiskies just fights with the cigar, and even Highland malts can be distracting. If you’re dead set on whiskey, try a smooth bourbon like Blanton’s or maybe a really mellow Canadian whisky.
Wine? Absolutely not. Don’t even think about it. The tannins clash horribly with the tobacco, and you’ll end up wasting both the wine and the cigar. I learned this the hard way with a fine bottle of Bordeaux.
Water’s your friend here. Good, clean water between puffs helps reset your palate so you don’t miss any of the subtle flavor transitions.
Who Should Smoke These (And Who Should Stay Away)
Let’s be brutally honest here. If you’re new to cigars, or even if you’ve only been smoking for a couple years, the Behike 56 is probably wasted on you. I don’t mean that in a gatekeeping way – I mean it practically. Your palate needs to be developed enough to appreciate what makes this cigar special, otherwise you’re just burning through something extraordinary for bragging rights.
This is a cigar for people who’ve already worked their way through the Cohiba lineup. Start with Siglo II, move up to Esplendidos, maybe try some Robustos. Then, and only then, should you consider reaching for a Behike.
It’s also perfect for milestone moments. I’ve shared these at weddings, business celebrations, and one particularly memorable evening celebrating my daughter’s graduation. These aren’t everyday smokes, but they’re perfect for when you want to mark an occasion with something truly special.
Who should skip it? Anyone looking for a “beginner’s premium cigar.” Anyone who smokes quickly (this needs at least 90 minutes of your time). And honestly? Anyone who’s going to stress while they’re smoking it. If you’re distracted instead of enjoying the cigar, you’ve already missed the point.
Storage and Insider Tips
Here’s something most reviews won’t tell you: these cigars are incredibly sensitive to humidity fluctuations. I keep mine at exactly 65% humidity and 68°F. Any higher and you risk losing some of that delicate complexity. Any lower and the wrapper starts getting fragile.
Also, and this is crucial – let them rest. Even if you buy them from a reputable dealer who’s been storing them properly, give them at least two weeks in your humidor before smoking. I’ve noticed the flavors integrate better after a little rest period.
One more thing: rotate your box. The cigars on the bottom can develop different characteristics than the ones on top, especially if your humidor has any temperature gradients. It’s a small thing, but when you’re dealing with cigars this special, small things matter.
The Elephant in the Room: Are They Actually Worth It?
This is the question everyone’s thinking but not everyone’s asking. And my answer is… it depends.
As a smoking experience? Absolutely. These are among the finest cigars ever made, period. The craftsmanship is flawless, the tobacco is exceptional, and the flavor profile is something you literally cannot get anywhere else.
As an everyday choice? That’s trickier. You can get 90% of this experience from a well-aged Cohiba Esplendido. That last 10%? It’s sublime, but it’s a rarefied kind of sublime.
I think of Behike 56s like I think of a perfectly aged Bordeaux or a handmade Swiss watch. You’re not just enjoying function – you’re enjoying artistry, rarity, and the knowledge that you’re experiencing something genuinely special.
Reader Questions I Get All The Time
How do these compare to other premium Cubans?
They’re in a class by themselves, honestly. Even other super-premium Cohibas don’t have quite the same depth and complexity. The closest comparison might be a well-aged Padrón Anniversary or maybe an Opus X, but those are completely different flavor profiles.
Should I age these further before smoking?
Depends on what you like. They’re perfect right out of the box (after proper rest). Some people swear by aging them 3-5 additional years, but I think you risk losing some of the brightness that makes them special.
Are the different sizes worth trying?
The 52 and 54 are excellent, but the 56 is the sweet spot in my opinion. The ring gauge gives you the perfect balance of wrapper to filler, and the smoking time is just right for the flavor development.
How can I tell if I’m getting authentic ones?
Buy from reputable dealers only. The bands should be perfect – no crooked text, clean edges, proper holographic elements. The construction should be flawless. When in doubt, don’t buy. There are way too many fakes out there.
Look, at the end of the day, the Cohiba Behike 56 represents the absolute pinnacle of Cuban cigar making. It’s one of the most coveted Cuban cigars you’ll ever smoke, and it’s also likely to be one of the most memorable. Just make sure you’re ready for it – your palate will thank you.
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