Cohiba‘s eagerly anticipated cigar, the Behike, was recently launched at the Cuban Cigar Festival. When it goes on sale in June, it is expected to earn rave reviews from cigar aficionados.
Cohiba’s finest cigar to date, the Behike is made with a part of the tobacco plant called the medio tiempo. It’s taken from the upper leaves of the plant and because not every plant produces it – it’s very rare indeed.
Ana Lopez, the marketing director at Habanos SA (who make Cohiba cigars) said: “This is the most expensive line ever produced in Cohibas and we are expecting that it will be very well received.”
Mitchell Orchant, a London-based cigar merchant who was one of the few people who tried the Behike at its launch in Havana, said he already has 1,000 people on his waiting list.
He argued: “This is perfection in a Cuban cigar… the Cubans have got every aspect of this cigar right – the brand, the size, the taste. And of course it’s unique because a rare leaf is being used in its blend, the first time such a leaf has been used in a cigar.”
“This will be a very collectible cigar, I already know people who are planning to lay the Behike for 10 years. It will sell out very quickly and that will push prices up.”
Meanwhile Simon Chase, a semi-retired director of the British cigar importers Hunters & Frankau, said: “There is a particular type of rare leaf in the Behike… there is something in the blend that makes it very interesting, very special. I’ve been in the cigar business for 30 years… and I would say that this will make a very serious bid to become the best cigar in the world.”
Three sizes of Behike will sell for $36, $48 and $57 respectively.
