Some Cuban Cigars are more sought after than others, and the Cohiba Behike 56 is possibly the most coveted of all. Certainly among cigars which are, on paper at least, regular production, it holds an almost mythical reputation among connoisseurs for its quality. The scarcity of the medio tiempo leaves used for the Behike blend, and the recent dearth of wrapper leaves of a suitable size and quality to make vitolas as large as the Laguito No 6, have made boxes incredibly hard to get hold of. This has led the price per stick, in only 11 years since the original release, to increase dramatically.
With such a price tag comes pressure to perform. Cohiba cigars are already famed for their quality, so the blenders and rollers who create them are used to such pressure. There certainly is a lot of cigar for your money: at 56 ring gauge by 6 ½ inches this is a substantial smoke, likely to fill around 2 hours of your time. Like the Linea Clasica, the Linea Behike is classed as medium-to-full strength by Habanos S.A.
The glittering band of the Cohiba Behike 56
Construction: 10/10
- A smooth and silky wrapper, free from any flaws. A perfectly-formed pigtail cap – a Behike signature – and an even feel across the whole body of the cigar. The first impressions of this stick certainly stood up to the reputation.
Draw: 10/10
- From the first puff to the last, the draw was exceptional. No difficult sections, no issues of any kind – just plenty of flavour-packed smoke.
Combustion: 10/10
- Again, perfect. A gentle smoulder lasted the entire 2 hours I spent with the cigar, never once deviating from straight, never once requiring a touch-up and never once going out, despite my leaving the cigar to sit for several minutes on occasion.
Fine grey ash clings to the end of the Behike 56
Ash: 4/5
- The colour of the ash was a slightly darker grey than I would call perfect, and fell off fairly quickly each time.
Smoke: 5/5
- When I puffed, my palette was drenched in flavourful smoke. When the cigar was at rest, the terrace I enjoyed it on was filled with the aromas of the cigar.
Flavour: 22/25
- I enjoyed the flavours given up by the Behike 56, and I enjoyed their progression as the cigar gently burned down. The body and power, to my taste, never really rose above medium. Nevertheless, this was a cigar I was glad to have eaten heartily before.
Overall: 32/35
- It’s not every day I indulge in a cigar such as this, and I suspect I am not alone in this. The rarity and price point of the Behike line make it one many of us will have very little tolerance for faults from. Thankfully, this cigar lives up to its lofty billing – construction was magnificent, flavours were varied and delicious, and the experience of smoking it was relaxing and pleasurable. Whether you are lucky enough to be able to smoke them regularly, or are like me and will save them for occasional treats, the Behike 56 is a cigar that will not disappoint.
The Behike 56 was a truly memorable cigar
Final Score: 93/100
This cigar looks magnificent at first glance: the imposing size, the subtle silky sheen to the wrapper, even the elaborate and glittering brand which dresses it, all announce a higher level of quality. The flavours match this level admirably. Immediately upon lighting the cigar, it produced sweet notes of grass and hay, rounded and pleasant and underpinned by just a hint of creamy aftertaste. As I progressed into the middle third there was still a sweetness, but paired with an added warmth that was more akin to caramel or honey than the fragrant, almost fruity character of the first third. Into the final third the intensity deepened once more, with fresh coffee replacing any remaining sweetness and a very mild touch of black pepper staying on the palette after each of the final puffs. A thoroughly satisfying cigar.