The world of cigars is a realm steeped in history, tradition, and an unyielding pursuit of perfection. Few cigars encapsulate these ideals quite like the legendary Cohiba Behike. Universally revered as one of the finest cigars ever crafted, the Behike is more than just tobacco; it's a storied artifact of Cuban culture and craftsmanship. I'm Kirby Allison, and I invite you to join me on an intimate exploration of the Behike's origins. This is the story of how, beginning in 2006, one cigar redefined luxury and exclusivity on a global scale.
The Birth of an Icon
The saga of the Cohiba Behike is one of unparalleled ambition and artistry. It was 2006, and Habanos S.A., Cuba's state-owned tobacco company, was celebrating the 40th anniversary of Cohiba, its flagship brand. This period was a renaissance in the cigar world, buoyed by the fervor of the 1990s cigar boom. In anticipation of this significant milestone, Habanos charted a course to create a cigar that would exemplify Cuba's tobacco supremacy. The result was the Cohiba Behike, a singular masterpiece designed to capture the essence of perfection in every aspect of its production.
Crafting Perfection: The Tobacco
The journey to crafting the Behike was meticulous. The best wrapper leaves were painstakingly selected over two years from the Vuelta Abajo region in Pinar del Río, known for producing the world's finest tobacco. Concurrently, the highest quality filler, aged for no less than five years, was chosen by a select team of Cuba's top tobacco experts, ensuring that every leaf met the stringent standards required for this monumental release.
The Artistry of Rolling
Once the tobacco had been curated, weaving these elements into a harmonious whole fell to the legendary hands of Norma Fernandez, Cuba's most senior torcedor. At El Laguito, the hallowed halls of Cohiba's production, she rolled each cigar entirely by hand—totally a mano—with expert precision. Every cig, every Behike, was crafted by Fernandez alone, culminating in 4,000 cigars of breathtaking uniformity and unrivaled quality.
This exceptional dedication to craftsmanship is reminiscent of the meticulous care required for creating a perfect Luxury Cigar Cutter. Each aspect of the cutting process is critical, much like the crafting of the Behike, leaving no room for compromise.
The Unveiling of Cohiba Behike
In 2006, this masterpiece emerged from the shadows. It was presented not as a mere commodity but as a collector's treasure. The limited edition featured 100 exclusive humidors, each housing 40 individually numbered cigars. These humidors were not simply storage devices but works of art in their own right, crafted by none other than Elie Bleu in Paris, the world's pinnacle of humidor manufacturers. Each humidor, a Pandora's box of wonders, bore names that represented fine craftsmanship, including the illustrious Edward Sahakian, a cigar aficionado without equal.
Owning a Behike humidor was not just about possessing cigars; it was about holding a piece of history. These humidors became coveted treasures among collectors, some going as far as to purchase them without ever having glimpsed the contents, a testament to the mystique that surrounded the Behike name.
A Testament to Excellence
Privileged enough to lay his hands on one of these exclusive creations, Sahakian vividly recalls the initial taste of anticipation. Months of whispered promises and fervent speculation preceded the release. With no photographs and no samples, only a select few were confident—or indeed daring—enough to secure a humidor sight unseen. When the first shipments arrived in 2007, the cigars' existence finally realized, they not only exceeded expectations—they eclipsed them.
The shift in perception from mere tobacco to art form is akin to discovering the ultimate Luxury Cigar Humidor—an object that elevates the storage and appreciation of cigars to another level entirely.
The Prestige and Demand
The Cohiba Behike was soon enshrined as the "holy grail" of cigars. Offered initially around £12,000, these cigars' value and desirability have only ballooned over time. As they transitioned to private collections and prestigious smoking lounges, each cigar's worth multiplied, reaching up to £5,000 apiece in rarified venues such as the Lanesborough Hotel's smoking lounge.
Looking back, Sahakian laments the inevitable hindsight many collectors express���regret for not having secured more when the opportunity was theirs. As the scarcity of these cigars became apparent, a thriving black market emerged, driven by a simple truth: those who owned them were loath to part with them.
A Legacy Carved in Tobacco
Today, the Cohiba Behike persists not merely as a cigar, but as an epitome of luxury, a benchmark against which all other cigars are measured. The execution was nothing short of trailblazing; the choice of tobacco, the singularity of craft, and the exclusivity of presentation have cemented its place in history.
Even for a seasoned collector such as myself, the opportunity to hold a Cohiba Behike in hand is transcendent. The silk-like finish, the famed pigtail, the perfection of its construction—it whispers to the holder of the pinnacle of human craftsmanship and quest for perfection.
A Continuing Journey
As we honor the legacy of the Cohiba Behike, we recognize its place within a continuum—a story of avowed excellence that continues to write itself. Each cigar is more than a smoke; it is an instrument of pleasure as intimate as any perfectly held S.T. Dupont lighter or Luxury Lighter.
Our exploration doesn't end here. This is merely the first journey into the saga of the Behike, and as we move forward, we'll continue to delve deeper into the philosophies and traditions that sustain its legendary status. Together, we will uncover the future chapters of this remarkable narrative and the continued influence it casts over the world of luxury cigars.
Join me as we unravel more of the magic behind this iconic creation in future episodes. Cohiba Behike isn't just a cigar; it's a symbol—a beacon of what true artistry and dedication can achieve.
Until then, whether you are lighting a behike or another of life's simple pleasures, may it be done with an appreciation for the artistry and tradition that has brought it to your hand.
