A Guide to Cohiba Behike 52: Understanding the BHK 52 Format and Box Presentation

Cohiba Behike 52, commonly identified as the BHK 52, is one of the three original formats introduced with the Cohiba Behike line in 2010. Its 52 ring gauge and 119 mm length make it the smallest of the original BHK 52, BHK 54, and BHK 56 formats.

Beyond its dimensions, the BHK 52 is notable for its use of Medio Tiempo tobacco, a relatively rare leaf incorporated into the Behike blend. Its original presentation in a 10-count lacquered box also became an important part of the line’s packaging identity.

The History of Cohiba Behike 52

The Cohiba Behike line was officially introduced at the XII Habanos Festival in Havana in February 2010. It expanded the existing Cohiba portfolio with three new heavy-ring-gauge formats: BHK 52, BHK 54, and BHK 56.

The BHK 52 measures 52 ring gauge by 119 mm, while the BHK 54 measures 54 by 144 mm and the BHK 56 measures 56 by 166 mm. Habanos identifies the factory name of the BHK 52 as Laguito No. 4.

The introduction of Behike was also significant because the three formats incorporated Medio Tiempo tobacco into their blend. Habanos described the line as being produced in extremely limited quantities because of the natural scarcity of this particular leaf.

Understanding the BHK 52 Format

The name BHK 52 refers to the cigar’s 52 ring gauge.

A 52 ring gauge corresponds to approximately 20.64 mm in diameter. At 119 mm long, the BHK 52 has a relatively compact length compared with its substantial diameter.

Its factory designation, Laguito No. 4, provides another way of identifying the format within the traditional Cuban cigar sizing system.

The proportions distinguish the BHK 52 from the other original Behike sizes:

These differences in dimensions can influence combustion, draw, smoke production, and the way tobacco develops during a smoking session.

The Original BHK 52 Box Presentation

The original Behike launch included a distinctive packaging format. Habanos stated that each of the three Behike vitolas was presented in an exclusive lacquered box containing 10 cigars.

The packaging was part of the overall presentation of the new line rather than simply a container for the cigars. Contemporary Habanos material specifically highlighted the design of both the ring and packaging when discussing Behike.

For collectors and researchers examining BHK 52 boxes from different production periods, it is important to remember that packaging details can change over time. The presence of a particular box design does not, by itself, establish the production date or authenticity of a cigar.

Cohiba Behike Ring and Security Features

The BHK 52 was introduced with a distinctive Behike band. Habanos states that the original Behike band incorporated two individual security holograms, making it a notable development in cigar-band security at the time.

In 2014, Habanos announced a redesigned hologram with enhanced security and traceability features. The updated design was gradually introduced across the BHK 52, BHK 54, and BHK 56 formats, meaning older and newer hologram designs could temporarily coexist in the market.

This is useful historical context when examining BHK 52 boxes from different years.

Habanos also notes that its bands are applied to cigars individually, with attention given to their positioning and presentation inside boxes.

How the BHK 52 Is Constructed

The BHK 52 follows the handmade construction traditions associated with premium Cuban cigars.

Habanos identifies the three Behike formats as products of the El Laguito factory, historically associated with Cohiba production. Official Habanos material also identifies the BHK formats among cigars made by master rollers at El Laguito.

The cigar uses the conventional components of a premium handmade cigar:

• Filler: the tobacco forming the interior
• Binder: the leaf surrounding and holding the filler
• Wrapper: the outer tobacco leaf

The arrangement and density of these components affect the physical construction and combustion of the finished cigar.

The BHK 52’s relatively large ring gauge requires the roller to carefully arrange the filler tobacco while maintaining a consistent shape and draw.

The Importance of Medio Tiempo

One of the defining characteristics of the Behike line is the inclusion of Medio Tiempo tobacco.

When Behike was launched, Habanos stated that Medio Tiempo was incorporated into all three new formats for the first time. The leaf comes from the upper part of a sun-grown tobacco plant and is relatively rare because not every plant produces it.

Habanos later described Medio Tiempo as one of the strongest leaves found among the top two leaves of a sun-grown plant. Its scarcity contributes to the limited annual production of Behike.

This tobacco is therefore an important distinction between the Behike line and other Cohiba ranges.

Cuban Tobacco Origins

The tobacco used for Cohiba Behike comes from Cuba, with Habanos specifically associating the line with tobacco from San Juan y Martínez in Vuelta Abajo. 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.

However, geographic origin is only one part of cigar production. The final characteristics of the BHK 52 are influenced by cultivation, curing, fermentation, aging, leaf selection, blending, rolling, and storage.

The inclusion of Medio Tiempo adds another layer to the blend because the leaf’s availability depends partly on natural variation among tobacco plants.

Flavor and Strength Characteristics

The Behike line is generally associated with a relatively full tobacco character. Habanos emphasizes the contribution of Medio Tiempo to the line’s character and flavor.

Flavor perception remains subjective. The same cigar can be perceived differently depending on its age, storage conditions, smoking pace, draw, and the smoker’s palate.

General descriptions of Behike can include concentrated tobacco, earthy and woody notes, spice, roasted impressions, and aromatic qualities. These descriptions should be regarded as broad sensory references rather than fixed tasting notes.

The BHK 52’s shorter length compared with the BHK 54 and BHK 56 also means that its physical proportions are different, which can influence how the tobacco develops during smoking.

BHK 52 Compared With BHK 54 and BHK 56

The three original Behike formats were designed with progressively larger dimensions.

The BHK 52 measures 52 × 119 mm, the BHK 54 measures 54 × 144 mm, and the BHK 56 measures 56 × 166 mm. Their factory names are Laguito No. 4, Laguito No. 5, and Laguito No. 6 respectively.

The differences are more than numerical. Increasing length and ring gauge changes the amount and arrangement of tobacco within the cigar and can affect combustion and smoke development.

The BHK 52 therefore represents the most compact of the original Behike formats while retaining the line’s defining blend.

What to Look for on a BHK 52 Box

When examining a Cohiba Behike 52 box, several details can provide useful historical context:

Format: The box should correspond to the BHK 52, measuring 52 ring gauge by 119 mm.

Presentation: The original Behike launch used a 10-count lacquered box.

Cigar bands: Behike bands originally incorporated two security holograms, with an updated hologram introduced from 2014 onward.

Factory identity: The BHK 52 is identified as Laguito No. 4.

Tobacco: The blend is associated with Cuban tobacco and the distinctive inclusion of Medio Tiempo.

These details can help when researching a particular box, although packaging and band characteristics should not be treated as the sole method of determining authenticity.

Why the BHK 52 Is Historically Significant

The introduction of the BHK 52 marked a significant development in the Cohiba portfolio. Behike introduced three new heavy-ring-gauge formats and incorporated Medio Tiempo into their blends.

The BHK 52 also received substantial attention soon after its launch. In January 2011, Habanos reported that Cigar Aficionado had selected the BHK 52 as its top-ranked cigar in its 2010 list. That is a historical third-party accolade, rather than a measure of how every smoker will experience the cigar.

From a production perspective, the scarcity of Medio Tiempo remains one of the most important factors in understanding why the Behike line was produced in limited quantities.

Final Thoughts

The Cohiba Behike 52 combines a relatively compact 119 mm length with a substantial 52 ring gauge, giving it a distinctive place within the original three-format Behike line.

Its Laguito No. 4 factory designation, Cuban tobacco, handmade construction, and inclusion of Medio Tiempo are central to its identity. The original presentation in a 10-count lacquered box and the development of Behike-specific security holograms also form part of its packaging history.

Understanding the BHK 52 therefore involves more than its box presentation. Its format, tobacco selection, construction, production history, and packaging all contribute to the story of one of Cohiba’s most distinctive lines.

As with all tobacco products, cigar smoking carries significant health risks, including exposure to harmful substances and nicotine.