Cohiba Behike Explained: History, Craftsmanship, and Distinctive Characteristics

Cohiba Behike is one of the most distinctive lines within the Cuban Cohiba portfolio. Introduced in 2010, the Behike line was developed around exceptionally selected tobacco and a rare leaf known as Medio Tiempo. Its combination of tobacco selection, traditional hand craftsmanship, limited production, distinctive formats, and specialized packaging has made Behike an important subject in discussions of modern Cuban cigar production.

The Origins of Cohiba Behike

The story of Behike begins with the broader history of Cohiba. The Cohiba brand was established in Cuba in 1966 and was initially produced for government figures and diplomatic gifts before becoming commercially available internationally in 1982. The brand has long been associated with the El Laguito factory in Havana.

Before the Behike line became part of the regular Cohiba portfolio, the name appeared in connection with a special Cohiba 40th Anniversary humidor. Habanos later developed the concept into a new Cohiba line, officially launching Cohiba Behike at the 2010 Habanos Festival. The original production consisted of three formats: BHK 52, BHK 54, and BHK 56.

The name “Behike” also has historical roots. Habanos explains that the name refers to the person who conducted tobacco-smoking rituals among the Taíno people of Cuba.

The Importance of Medio Tiempo

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of Behike is its use of Medio Tiempo tobacco.

Medio Tiempo refers to a particularly scarce type of filler leaf found among the upper leaves of some sun-grown tobacco plants. According to Habanos, not every plant produces this leaf, making its availability naturally limited. The company describes it as a fuller-flavoured leaf and identifies it as a key component of the Behike blend.

The inclusion of Medio Tiempo was significant because Behike represented the first Cohiba line to incorporate this type of tobacco into its blend. Its scarcity also helps explain why production quantities are limited from year to year.

Rather than treating Medio Tiempo simply as another tobacco grade, it is better understood as a specific leaf characteristic associated with the upper portion of the plant and influenced by growing conditions. Its availability depends on both the tobacco plant and agricultural conditions.

Tobacco Selection and Cuban Origins

Behike belongs to the Cohiba family, so its tobacco is connected to the traditional Cuban growing regions used for the brand. Habanos identifies selected tobacco from the San Juan y Martínez and San Luis areas of Vuelta Abajo in Pinar del Río as the source of Cohiba's tobacco.

Cohiba also has a distinctive fermentation tradition. Habanos states that two of the three types of leaves used in its cigars, seco and ligero, undergo additional fermentation. The company associates this process with Cohiba's characteristic aroma and flavour.

Behike combines these broader Cohiba traditions with the additional distinction of Medio Tiempo, creating a blend that is specifically associated with the Behike line.

Craftsmanship and Handmade Production

Craftsmanship is another defining characteristic of Cohiba Behike. Habanos identifies its Cohiba cigars as “Totalmente a Mano,” meaning they are made entirely by hand. The broader Habanos production system involves numerous manual stages, from tobacco preparation through rolling, finishing, and packaging.

The El Laguito factory has a particularly important role in Cohiba production. Habanos describes the facility as the historic home of Cohiba and notes that its premium Cohiba vitolas are produced there using handmade, long-filler techniques.

Handmade construction involves carefully selected tobacco leaves being prepared and assembled by experienced cigar rollers. The final shape, wrapper appearance, draw, and overall construction are influenced by the skill involved at each stage.

This craftsmanship is an important part of understanding Behike because the product's distinctive character is not based solely on its tobacco blend. Agricultural selection and traditional manufacturing work together to create the finished cigar.

The BHK 52, BHK 54, and BHK 56

The original Behike collection consists of three principal formats: BHK 52, BHK 54, and BHK 56. The numbers correspond to their ring gauges, while the formats also differ in length. Habanos introduced all three together when the line was launched in 2010.

The different sizes provide variations in physical construction and tobacco volume. A larger ring gauge generally allows a greater quantity of filler tobacco and changes the relationship between filler, binder, and wrapper.

However, the three formats share the defining characteristics of the Behike line, particularly the inclusion of Medio Tiempo and the handmade construction associated with Cohiba.

Habanos later announced Behike 58 as an additional format, expanding the line beyond the original three sizes.

Flavour and Strength

Habanos classifies the Behike line as full in strength.

The presence of Medio Tiempo is central to the line's flavour identity. Habanos describes the leaf as contributing exceptional character and flavour, while its broader Cohiba production traditions—including additional fermentation of selected filler leaves—also influence the finished tobacco profile.

Sensory descriptions can vary, however. Flavour perception depends on the particular cigar, storage conditions, age, individual sensitivity, and smoking environment. Descriptions such as earthy, woody, spicy, roasted, or aromatic should therefore be regarded as tasting vocabulary rather than fixed chemical specifications.

Packaging and Authentication

Behike is also recognizable through its distinctive band and packaging. Habanos states that the Behike band was designed with holographic security features, with later versions incorporating enhanced hologram technology to improve traceability and counterfeit detection.

Authentication is particularly relevant for premium and limited-production cigars. Habanos recommends purchasing Habanos through authorized retailers and identifies official warranty and security features that can help distinguish genuine products from imitations.

Packaging should therefore be considered part of the product's identification system rather than merely decorative presentation.

What Makes Behike Distinctive?

Several characteristics separate Behike from other Cohiba lines:

• Introduced in 2010: Behike became a permanent Cohiba line after its launch at the 2010 Habanos Festival.

• Medio Tiempo tobacco: The line was the first Cohiba collection to incorporate this particularly scarce leaf into its blend.

• Handmade construction: Behike is part of the Cohiba tradition of totally handmade Habanos.

• Distinctive formats: The original line consisted of BHK 52, BHK 54, and BHK 56, with Behike 58 introduced later.

• Limited production: The natural scarcity of Medio Tiempo contributes to limited annual production.

• Specialized authentication: Behike bands incorporate holographic security features designed to support identification and traceability.

Conclusion

Cohiba Behike represents a specialized chapter in the history of the Cohiba brand. Introduced in 2010, it combined Cohiba's established Cuban tobacco traditions with the rare Medio Tiempo leaf and a highly controlled handmade production process.

Its BHK 52, BHK 54, and BHK 56 formats, later joined by Behike 58, provide different physical expressions of the same underlying blend concept. Meanwhile, the scarcity of Medio Tiempo, traditional craftsmanship at El Laguito, and distinctive authentication features contribute to Behike's recognizable identity within the broader Habanos portfolio.

As with all tobacco products, cigars contain tobacco and carry established health risks. This article is intended for historical and educational purposes rather than as an endorsement of tobacco use.

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