Cohiba Behike 52 Box Explained: History, Format, Construction, and Tobacco
The Cohiba Behike 52 is one of the three original formats introduced with the Cohiba Behike line in 2010. Known by its 52 ring gauge and 119 mm length, the BHK 52 combines the traditional handmade construction associated with Cuban cigars with a distinctive blend that incorporates Medio Tiempo tobacco.
The cigar was introduced alongside the BHK 54 and BHK 56, creating a new Cohiba line with three large-ring-gauge formats. Each was presented in an exclusive lacquered box containing 10 cigars, giving the packaging its own place in the history of the Behike line.
The History of Cohiba Behike 52
The Cohiba Behike line was officially unveiled at the 2010 Habanos Festival in Havana. The line consisted of three formats: BHK 52, BHK 54, and BHK 56. Habanos described them as new heavy-ring-gauge vitolas that had not previously existed in the Habanos format range.
The BHK 52 became the smallest of the three original Behike formats by both length and ring gauge.
Its factory dimensions are 52 ring gauge by 119 mm in length, with a diameter of approximately 20.64 mm. Habanos identifies its factory vitola as Laguito No. 4.
The Behike line was developed as an extension of the established Cohiba brand rather than as a separate Cuban cigar brand. Habanos describes Behike as a Cohiba line introduced in 2010 and notes that it incorporated a particular tobacco leaf into its blend for the first time.
Understanding the BHK 52 Format
The numbers in BHK 52 refer primarily to the cigar’s ring gauge.
A 52 ring gauge corresponds to approximately 20.64 mm in diameter. The cigar is 119 mm long, giving it a relatively compact length compared with the larger BHK 54 and BHK 56.
For comparison:
- BHK 52: 52 × 119 mm
- BHK 54: 54 × 144 mm
- BHK 56: 56 × 166 mm
These three dimensions are officially listed by Habanos for the original Behike line.
The differences in dimensions can affect how each format burns and how its tobacco develops during smoking. The BHK 52’s combination of a relatively short length and substantial ring gauge gives it a different physical profile from the longer BHK 54 and BHK 56.
The Cohiba Behike 52 Box
The original Behike formats were presented in exclusive lacquered boxes containing 10 cigars. Habanos specifically identified the 10-count lacquered presentation when the line was launched in 2010.
The packaging was an important part of the Behike presentation. Habanos also highlighted the design of the Behike band and its security features, including holographic elements.
When the line was introduced, each Behike band incorporated two security holograms. Habanos later updated the hologram design in 2014 to provide enhanced security and traceability, with the updated bands gradually appearing across all three Behike formats.
This means that packaging and band details can vary depending on the production period. Older Behike 52 boxes may therefore have different hologram characteristics from later examples.
Handmade Construction
The Behike line follows the handmade construction traditions associated with premium Cuban cigars.
Habanos records Behike formats among the cigars produced by master rollers at the El Laguito factory, the historic home of Cohiba.
The construction uses the traditional combination of filler, binder, and wrapper tobacco. Whole-leaf long filler forms the internal structure, while the binder holds the filler together and the wrapper creates the outer surface.
Hand construction is particularly relevant to Behike because its substantial ring gauge requires careful tobacco arrangement to maintain appropriate density, shape, and draw.
The finished cigar must also be consistent in appearance and construction from the foot to the head.
The Role of Medio Tiempo Tobacco
The most distinctive feature of the Cohiba Behike blend is Medio Tiempo.
When Behike was introduced in 2010, Habanos stated that all three formats incorporated Medio Tiempo into their blend for the first time. The company described Medio Tiempo as a rare tobacco leaf that does not appear on every sun-grown tobacco plant.
Habanos explains that Medio Tiempo comes from the upper leaves of the sun-grown tobacco plant. These leaves are particularly scarce because not every plant produces them.
The scarcity of Medio Tiempo is therefore an important part of the Behike production story. Its availability influences the quantities that can be produced each year.
Tobacco Origins
Behike uses Cuban tobacco, with Habanos identifying tobacco from the San Juan y Martínez area of Vuelta Abajo in connection with the line. San Juan y Martínez is a protected tobacco-growing district within Pinar del Río.
Vuelta Abajo is one of the principal regions associated with premium Cuban tobacco production.
However, the final characteristics of a cigar are not determined by geographical origin alone. Cultivation, curing, fermentation, aging, leaf position, blending, rolling, and storage all contribute to the finished cigar.
For Behike, the selection of Medio Tiempo adds another specific element to the blend.
Strength and Tobacco Character
Habanos classifies the Cohiba Behike line as full in strength.
This classification applies to the Behike line rather than guaranteeing an identical experience for every smoker.
Flavor perception can vary depending on the individual cigar, storage conditions, age, smoking pace, and personal palate. General descriptions may include concentrated tobacco, earthy and woody characteristics, spice, roasted impressions, and aromatic notes.
The presence of Medio Tiempo is particularly significant because Habanos associates the leaf with the distinctive character and flavor of the Behike blend.
BHK 52 Compared With BHK 54 and BHK 56
The three original Behike formats share the same basic line but differ substantially in size.
The BHK 52 measures 119 mm by 52 ring gauge. The BHK 54 measures 144 mm by 54 ring gauge, while the BHK 56 measures 166 mm by 56 ring gauge.
These differences affect the amount and arrangement of tobacco in each cigar.
The BHK 52 has the shortest length and smallest ring gauge of the original three. The BHK 56 sits at the opposite end of the range, combining the greatest length with the largest ring gauge.
This makes the BHK 52 an important format in understanding how the Behike line was designed around different dimensions while maintaining its defining tobacco characteristics.
Packaging and Identification
The Cohiba Behike band has undergone changes since the line was introduced.
The original 2010 presentation incorporated holographic security features. In 2014, Habanos announced an updated hologram designed to improve security and traceability. The older and newer versions were expected to coexist in the market during the transition period.
This is useful when examining an older Cohiba Behike 52 box because the appearance of the band or hologram may reflect its production period.
Packaging should therefore be considered alongside other identification details rather than used as the sole method of determining authenticity.
What Makes the Cohiba Behike 52 Distinctive?
Several characteristics define the BHK 52:
Introduction: The format was launched with the Cohiba Behike line in 2010.
Dimensions: 52 ring gauge × 119 mm.
Factory vitola: Laguito No. 4.
Blend: Includes Medio Tiempo, a rare leaf from the upper part of the sun-grown tobacco plant.
Tobacco origin: Cuban tobacco associated with the Vuelta Abajo region and San Juan y Martínez.
Strength: Habanos classifies the Behike line as full.
Construction: Produced through traditional Cuban handmade cigar-making methods.
Box presentation: Originally presented in an exclusive lacquered box containing 10 cigars.
Band security: Behike bands incorporated holographic security features, with an updated hologram introduced from 2014 onward.
Final Thoughts
The Cohiba Behike 52 combines several defining elements of the Behike line in a relatively compact format. At 119 mm long with a 52 ring gauge, it is the smallest of the three original Behike vitolas, while retaining the blend characteristics that distinguish the line.
Its introduction in 2010 marked an important development for Cohiba, particularly because Behike incorporated Medio Tiempo tobacco into its blend. The scarcity of this leaf contributed to the limited production of the line.
The original 10-count lacquered box also became an important part of the Behike presentation, while changes to the holographic security features over time provide useful historical context when examining different production periods.
Understanding the BHK 52 therefore requires looking beyond the box itself. Its dimensions, factory vitola, Cuban tobacco, Medio Tiempo component, handmade construction, and packaging are all connected to the history of Cohiba Behike.
As with all tobacco products, cigar smoking carries significant health risks, including exposure to harmful substances and nicotine dependence.