My First BHK Experience

[braveheart655]

I'm a fairly new cigar smoker (less than a year) and I've been trying different brands and vitolas to establish what I like. Just recently, I've picked up couple of singles from Rob; including a Magnum 48, a Cohiba Behike 52, a 1966 and a Piramides Extra. After I've been more than satisfied with Magnum 48, I couldn't wait any longer and decided to give Behike 52 a try. I knew that it needed a bit more time in the humidor to recover but I didn't expect it to be such a tasteless stick. Construction was good and cold draw gave a slight tea flavor.

From the very first puff until the end only flavors I got were (residues of) toasted tobacco and green tea. I'd say it was young but it didn't even have any harshness at all? I honestly think that it'd take a lot of talent to use that much of tobacco and have almost no taste at all.

So, I was wondering if any of you had the same bad luck with the BHK line. Personally, this experience might put me off from Behike's for the foreseeable future. Hopefully I'll have a better luck with 1966.

[Puros Y Vino]

Well. Your problem is that you picked up a BHK52, not a 54 or 56! But seriously, that's too bad. I've never found the BHK52 to live up to it's hype. The 54's are great young and aged. The 56's needed some sleep to really strut it's stuff. There's always the chance you've got a dud stick. It happens. BHK's aren't very strong tasting. They're subtle yet complex. I'd liken them to drinking a Champagne vs a Barolo. The Barolo is going to hit you with flavours and strength from the onset, the Champagne is going to intrigue you and transform if you're patient with it. I've smoked about 8 BHK54's and only one was a disappointment. Every BHK56 I've smoked has been better than the one before it. I;d suggest you email Di about a BHK sampler, one of each and experience the entire range. As for 1966, I think you'll enjoy that one. Good luck.

[Charltonc]

I enjoyed the 54 I had and I was not impressed with the 52. I will stick with Upmann, SLR, and HDM.

[Orion21]

How long did you let it rest before smoking? The 52's are my favorite, but I admit I have only smoked the original release from 2010. I have heard very mixed comments about the '11's. If you get a good 52 it will blow you away with it's silky smooth smoke, citrus, tea, cream, toasted espresso and rich tobacco flavors. Sorry to hear you got a dud. Every one I have smoked has been a 95+ cigar.

[braveheart655]

How long did you let it rest before smoking?

More or less a week. I've smoked Magnum 48 from the same order even earlier than that and it smoked beautifully.

I was gonna keep BHK 52 in the humidor at least for couple of weeks more but since it was a good day for me, I wanted to finish it on a high note. Instead it went down the drain

[canadianbeaver]

I love the 52's and have had 3 boxes of them. I have had them sit for months, even a year. My only issue with them is that when you are in a trance and all " wow this heaven" over them, you practically have the band on fire.

One BHK should not chase you from the herd.

[dangolf18]

I tried each one from early '10 production. Definitely best cigars I've had. None have come close except maybe the 1966.

[CaptainQuintero]

Could just be a dud, but there are a number of things. The BHKs for me are super delicate in flavours, if the cigars only arrived a week ago then it needs a month at least to get back to where it was before shipping (In my experience anyway) preferably 3 months.

The Mag48s have 3 years of age already on them and the flavours are punchy and hit you right away, the BHK blends are a completely different animal.

Could just be you don't like the delicate side of the spectrum but respond better to the Bolivar/Partagas style blends : )

[maverickdrinker]

Sorry to hear about your experience. Could be a dud or just not your flavour profile.

BHK 54s are the best of the lot IMHO. Give one a try to see.

[winelover]

I struggle to sympathise as you can hardly blame the stick for beings flavourless etc after just giving it one meesly week since transit. If you smoke ROTT you take your chances. I've had plenty of cigars I thought were flavourless simply because they were smoked too soon. It is an organic product give it a chance.

[Orion21]

He was excited, forgive him. We all learn the hard way. When I got my first box of CC's (Monte PE's) I smoked one 4 days after they got to me and I was like "wow, maybe Cuban cigars are not what they advertise." A year later the remaining PE's were exceptional cigars and nothing like the exhausted little thing I smoked after getting them.

[rhodges]

My experience with the BHK 52 was much like yours, the 1966 on the other hand........amazing

[Diamondog]

52's, 54's and 56's all day every day any day lol...Glad I stocked up in 2010...

[khomeinist]

BHK are not for everyone. I greatly prefer many regular release cigars. Who cares ultimately. Smoke what you like. A lot of the 'star' cigars are popular for reasons that have nothing to do with flavor, construction, or consistency.

Bands a make her dance.....

Juicy J

[sw15825]

I also smoked a 52 that was gifted to me and it sat for months in good conditions in my humi. It was a very good, smooth smoke, but I was not greatly impressed. Not worth the money to me. I went deep on coro last month they are from late 2011. They are fantastic, consistent and better at least to my taste to the 52. Much fuller and complex with those great beany flavors with coffee and ending in some vegetal/grassy flavors that are so nice in a good coro. I also get 25 for less than the price of 10 of the 52s.

[Puros Y Vino]

Hate HSA for that. Best of the best at the Festival and the first batch then it's crap.

That seems to be their MO. I hear great things about the original release BHK's. Even the Piramides Extra seems to have fallen victim to this. Some are saying the festival sticks are far superior to what's being released. In most countries, that's called a "bait and switch" and it's illegal. I've tried a regular Piramides Extra and enjoyed it. I;d love to try a Festival sample for comparison's sake.

[mk05]

I hear great things about the original release BHK's. Even the Piramides Extra seems to have fallen victim to this. Some are saying the festival sticks are far superior to what's being released.

Well the OR BHK have 2 years on them now. Back in '10, people didn't buy the BHK because it was about twice as expensive, and the same people were also talking about how crappy they were too. I think the BHK tastes great, and will refine up to a point.

Supposedly the Festival PE had MT or more MT, whatever you want to believe.

[braveheart655]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I knew very well that I smoke it too soon but as Orion mentioned, I was just excited Since I'm a rather impatient person, I usually try one stick in a week or so from all my new purchases. Still I haven't faced such a flavorless cigar up until now. I guess it was a combination of sick period+transit+young age for the BHK 52. I'll reserve my judgement until I've tried all three sizes.

The major problem is, I have been saving a BHK 52 in my temp controlled humidor back home for a special occasion for the past 7 months. Now, I have to start looking for another "special day" cigar. Suggestions are more than welcome

[melies]

I have had some great BHK 52's but maybe a more in your taste special cigar would be a cohiba 1966 or a Monte Gran Edmundo happy hunting

[mk05]

You're a new smoker, so don't be discouraged by one or two unsatisfactory experiences. Your tastes are, to be honest, in flux. I wouldn't worry about it, go smoke many other cigars, and come back to the BHK in a year's time without any expectations.