MrGlass Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 Cohiba Behike 54 Pairing: Glenmorange Signet I bought this as part of the Behike Sampler Rob was offering earlier this year, and so far have only smoked the 52. This is a big cigar, and it has taken me some time to get around to dedicating the time to this. Cigar is quite hard to the touch, and has a nice strong aroma. Pre-light draw is a little firm with hints of citrus zest. The first thought that comes to mind: This is big. After lighting, the initial draw is like white coffee - simply delicious. But at 15 minutes, I already find myself wondering if this cigar is worth the money. Then it dawns on me that what are wrong are my expectations. For the money, I was expecting something that would blow me away. To use a car analogy, I thought I had a Zonda but found myself with a Rolls Royce. This thing oozes class at such a young age, and everything from the size, the name, the band and the price demand your attention. The second third opens by dropping the ash on the floor with a solid thunk. The coffee has since departed and I'm left with a creamy smoke. At this point, the cigar starts to show its youth, and if you smoke it at anything but the gentlest of paces it rewards you with strong bitterness. I know this is true for any cigar, but this Behike is proving very temperamental and even more so now than initially. By the third third I'm finding less of the same. That initial creaminess has all but left, the burn is crooked and the wrapper is lifting slightly. It's like this cigar put everything it had into its first thirty minutes. I'm sure this cigar would do better with age, because the fact is it is still quite you. The marketing hype for this cigar was huge, but would I buy a box? No. Given my financial restrictions, the money would be better spent on other cigars for sheer "bang for buck". That being said, I wouldn't discourage others from trying it should the opportunity present itself. I have smoked this cigar alone intending on writing this review, and even though it has been a gradual disappointment, this cigar has actually invoked more thoughts about it than anything I have smoked to date. I have enjoyed the experience this cigar has given me, despite the cigar itself disappointing me. I understand this is a contradiction, so let me please try to clarify. This cigar has consumed three hours of my life and let me down so far as what I was expecting. And yet at the same time, it has encouraged me to break out the best scotch I had on hand, my finest glassware, and the time has simply flown. This evening has been most enjoyable, and this cigar is responsible for this. I have now smoked the 52 and the 54, and the 56 is sitting in my humidor for another occasion. I await our meeting with anticipation. Nick.
CaptainQuintero Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 Nice review! I picked up a 52 today which will be my first BHK, going to save it for my birthday on the 5th I think
nick17 Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 I am yet to try the 54 and 56 however I loved the FIRST third and only the first third after that i would say it was 84 cigar I am hoping to try the 54 in august with my friend. Has anyone else had a bad BHK?
cementhead339 Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 good review, how did you like the 52 ? i have some sitting in my humi, i think i might give them at least another 6 months.
headstand Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 Beautiful photos: composition and lighting are magazine quality. The ashtray photo is superb. Thank you for sharing.
ramon_cojones Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 Very nice write-up and pictures, a shame about the cigar. I do enjoy the 52 so I have a box in my humi but realistically won't touch one of them until maybe next year. The more I smoke the more I realize my favorite cigars are run of the mill d4s and rass (p1s also but that is not an everyday smoke) with some age. I think at some point my cabinet will be filled with 25 boxes of each
El Presidente Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 great review mate I think the hardest part of smoking premium cigars is going into the exercise with no expectation. We can all remember at some point of our lives putting together the finest dinner date with a member of the opposite sex. We set the scene....dinner (either out or great home cooked meal), music, fine wines/Champagne ....and in the majority of occasions the end result just quite doesn't match the planning. It is harder to say than do. I try to mute my expectation when it comes to new cigars or wine regardless of price. Pretty hard to do so when the cigars or wine cost a pretty penny. I have now tried all the Behike numerous times. Solidly very good to great cigars generally in the 91-94 range. Do I think they are worth the moola?.....52's I would sprng for, the others not sure (at least on a regular basis). I want to be blown away (Cigars people....cigars), and sometmes I am. However we are talking about leaf here and it is a cigar by cigar experience taking into account your own mood/mind, expectation, cigar delivery. It is the quest for the Holy grail and that is the problem. We find the grail mostly when we are not expecting it. Rarely when we do.
ramon_cojones Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 Well said prez, well said. Very hard to isolate cost/hype/expectation from a pure review.
gigabyte056 Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 At least it gave you the opportunity to drink your finest single malt. I have fount that as Rob stated, when we expect the best we are usually disappointed, You my friend did the right thing by concentrating on the overall experience rather than the cigar.
davidl Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 Great review, and even better pictures. Comments Rob are very true.
MrGlass Posted June 27, 2011 Author Posted June 27, 2011 Thanks for the positive comments everyone good review, how did you like the 52 ? i have some sitting in my humi, i think i might give them at least another 6 months. From memory, the 52 had a very similar flavour profile, but felt more comfortable to smoke and was over faster because of the size. You should give one a try.
sharks Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 How about a review on the Signet? I have a bottle yet to crack Sharks
Puros Y Vino Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 Great review and pictures. I found the 54 to be more enjoyable than the 52.
Scdalak Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 Just moved into a new house, celebrating this Thursday night with a few buddies on my back deck. BHK 52"s will be in attendance. First smoke, cant wait, trying to set no expectations. I am more excited to hang with good friends and enjoy the company. Hopefully the Cigar will only add to the night.
Dbone Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 Nice review, Nick. You called it as you saw it, which this time was a disappointment. But you made the best of it, good job.
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