Date: February 26th, 2010
Time: 8:00 PM Eastern
Location: ParExpo, Havana, Cuba
Time: 8:00 PM Eastern
Location: ParExpo, Havana, Cuba
Conditions: Cool and breezy, 63 degrees
THE EVENT
It's downright freezing tonight in Havana as I have a quick mojito at the Nacionale before the Gala Event of the 2010 Festival Habano. It's the launch of "Cohiba's Best Kept Secret", the marketing slogan that's been publicized for months (talk about an oxy-moron) of a new super-premium cigar.
THE HISTORY
Cohiba was the first name given to tobacco. When Christopher Columbus arrived in Cuba in 1492 he saw that the Taino Indians would smoke rolled leaves which they called "cohiba" following a ritual celebration. That ceremony was conducted by a highly respected person of the tribe who was called "Behike".
THE CIGARS
The Cohiba Behike is being represented as the most exclusive line of Cohiba cigars. It will be produced in extremely limited qualities due to the blend being, for the first time, the "Medio Tiempo", a leaf that provides exceptional character and flavor. The leaf is very scarce as it is harvested from the two upper leaves of a sun-grown plant. Not all plants produce both top leaves and availability is dependent on the dedication, care and attention of each plantation in San Juan y Martinez.
The Behike ring bears the Cohiba Indian head in an embossed paper, including an exclusive security hologram in each one that authenticates these exclusive Habanos. Each one of the vitolas comes in 10-cigar lacquered box which is a collectors item in itself.
The selected formats are exclusive to Cohiba Behike. Their heavy ring gauge, in addition to providing excellent burn, will allow the smoker to appreciate and enjoy all the intensity and flavors offered by this very exquisite blend.
The Behike formats are:
- BHK52: Ring gauge 52 X 4.69 inches
- BHK 54: Ring gauge 54 X 5.67 inches
- BHK56: Ring gauge 56 X 6.54 inches
OPINION
When they are released next month, it is rumored that each cigar will retail for $100USD. If these cigars are limited, the actual market price could be a lot higher. I smoked my first Behike the other day and I will post my review soon. It is an exceptional smoke (probably better than the Grand Reserva's) and I think Habanos has made a strategic error. Even the wealthy are watching their pesos, pennies and cents and this extravagance doesn't help. Frankly, I'd like to see them produce another Siglo VI, perhaps a maduro at a price point that attracts a new group of enthusiasts.
When they are released next month, it is rumored that each cigar will retail for $100USD. If these cigars are limited, the actual market price could be a lot higher. I smoked my first Behike the other day and I will post my review soon. It is an exceptional smoke (probably better than the Grand Reserva's) and I think Habanos has made a strategic error. Even the wealthy are watching their pesos, pennies and cents and this extravagance doesn't help. Frankly, I'd like to see them produce another Siglo VI, perhaps a maduro at a price point that attracts a new group of enthusiasts.
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