The latest on the Cohiba Behike 58

[JohnS]

The Cohiba Behike 58 was rumoured to be developed for release in 2019 and now it seems to be scheduled for early 2025. Cigar Inspector published the following article this week:

Habanos SA Teases New Cohiba Behike BHK 58 for 15th Anniversary

Date: 09/10/2024 

Author: Inspector X

Habanos SA is considering expanding its ultra-premium Cohiba Behike line as it approaches a milestone—the 15th anniversary of the Behike line in 2025. This potential expansion would introduce a fourth size to the Cohiba Behike range, tentatively named the BHK 58. The new cigar is currently in development, with Cuban master blenders working on a version that would feature a ring gauge (known as cepo) of 58 (23.02 mm) and a length of 178 mm. As the name suggests, the BHK 58 would have the largest ring gauge in the Behike series, and, if launched, it would also be the largest in Habanos SA’s entire Cuban cigar portfolio.

The BHK 58 project has yet to receive official approval from Habanos SA’s marketing and management departments. Though it is still in the exploratory stages, this move is seen as a significant step in the company’s continued efforts to innovate and expand its premium offerings. A decision is expected to be made soon, and the new cigar could be officially launched during the next Festival del Habano, scheduled for February 2025.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Habanos SA has explored the idea of introducing a BHK 58. A similar plan was considered in 2020 when the Cohiba Behike line was celebrating its 10th anniversary. At that time, prototypes were distributed to cigar merchants during a marketing workshop in Havana in June 2019. A launch event was also planned in Monaco under the leadership of Coprova, the exclusive distributor of Cuban cigars in the region. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent production disruptions in Cuba caused the project to be shelved. A review of the prototype can be found here.

With the pandemic behind them and production stabilizing, Habanos SA has revisited the concept. If successful, the launch of the BHK 58 would mark a significant moment for the Cohiba Behike line and the broader Cuban cigar market. Fans of the brand are eagerly awaiting further announcements regarding this potential addition.

Source: https://www.cigarinspector.com/news/habanos-sa-teases-new-cohiba-behike-bhk-58-for-15th-anniversary/

Forum links to potential 2025 release can be found below:

Forum links to the development of the Behike 58 in 2019 can be sourced below:

[Skm672]

The release will include a humidor with 100 cigars. The shape that has been floating around is not the right one. It will be a pyramid. 

[CaptainQuintero]

  What happened to the rumours that media tiempo had been hard to source in the regular BHK line causing production bottlenecks, nevermind new additions to the line?

  Or just rumours?

[Shakey]

Seems like a great marketing move (they will likely sell all they can make at $400-$500 per) and another move away from the core audience.  

[unaslob]

Imagine what these are going to go for a box.  5k 

[Ford2112]

I was going for early retirement until I saw this!

[MrBirdman]

On 9/14/2024 at 1:49 PM, CaptainQuintero said:

  What happened to the rumours that media tiempo had been hard to source in the regular BHK line causing production bottlenecks, nevermind new additions to the line?

  Or just rumours?

I really wouldn’t be surprised if they were substituting ligero to push them out the door. The financial incentive is too great. The clientele they’re targeting wouldn’t care anyway. They’re mostly paying for the band. 

[Sandman]

On 9/15/2024 at 5:39 PM, MrBirdman said:

I really wouldn’t be surprised if they were substituting ligero to push them out the door. The financial incentive is too great. The clientele they’re targeting wouldn’t care anyway. They’re mostly paying for the band. 

I’ve smoked these and they are not substituting medio tiempo for ligero. And they have been excellent, and it’s true they are tweaking the blend. I have smoked some that truly blew me away. With age they are gonna be sublime. 

[Marco_011t556]

I have seen BHK 58, 59 (petit 2 piramides) etc…The 59 smoked great while the 58 was a bit strong.

Gonna be a Cohiba year, BHK, Vistosos, Iideales, let’s see what will be launched.

[MrBirdman]

3 hours ago, Sandman said:

I’ve smoked these and they are not substituting medio tiempo for ligero. And they have been excellent, and it’s true they are tweaking the blend. I have smoked some that truly blew me away. With age they are gonna be sublime. 

With all due respect, I think only those with a deep knowledge of Cuban tobacco (I.e. blenders and perhaps some farmers) could reliably distinguish between a Behike made with ligero and Medio tiempo unless smoking them side by side.

I‘m not saying they’re definitely substituting ligero, just that a) it wouldn’t surprise me; and b) few if any regular smokers could reliably tell if they were.