The gamble of the Cohiba Behike

[El Presidente]

HSA gets plenty wrong. This time they got it right. Global demand for the Cohiba Behike line (52/54/56) launched February 2010 has been a unqualified success. Expensive but brilliant it was to be rolled in relatively small nummbers at the El Laguito factory using only the finest of rollers.

Demand far outstrips supply and quality/consistency has remained at the highest order. I can't recall another cigar released in Cuba over the past 12 years where attention to detail has been so pinpoint.

The back orders mount up. Production at the small El Laguito factory (utilising a specialist team of rollers for the Behike release) can't keep up. The leaf is available, the spirit is willing but there are only so many hours in a day.

Meetings held at the highest level and a decion made a few months ago to take 20 rollers of the highest order from factories around Havana and make a special rolling unit for Behike outside of El Laguito. The Behike boxes made there would not be stamped but shipped back to El Laguito so no consumer would know the box of Behike they were purchasing would come El Laguito (as promised on release) or elsewhere. Checks and balances have been put in place to ensure the blend and construction is perfect.

I have known about this for a couple of months and was initially aghast at the subterfuge. I know El Laguito is a small factory and that they have a problem due to the overwhelming success of the line (a good problem to have) and I am not overly concerned that they have an external specialist unit of 20 rollers picking up the slack. However, they need to come out in the open and simply tell the truth as opposed to trying to hide the reality of what is occuring.

Overall I am quite sure quality will be maintained. HSA should take the opportunity to be open about it and set a new paradigm in honest and open communication with loyal lovers of its product.

[Aficionado]

It is well written ...the gamble.

still the same melody.

Promises and then the conjuration of reality ...nothing, is not able to change the minds of the communist.

For several days I wonder, of the factory, which released the box TEU JUN 10 BHK 52.

El Laguito-very doubtful.

Partagas-possible, but I'm not sure.

El Pres, maybe you can decipher the code of factory.

[El Presidente]

It is well written ...the gamble.

still the same melody.

Promises and then the conjuration of reality ...nothing, is not able to change the minds of the communist.

For several days I wonder, of the factory, which released the box TEU JUN 10 BHK 52.

El Laguito-very doubtful.

Partagas-possible, but I'm not sure.

El Pres, maybe you can decipher the code of factory.

All codes will reflect El Laguito. All boxes will leave El Laguito.

This has been a very recent change so all legitimate Behike boxes until the last month or so's production will be EL and the majority will continue to be so. You just won't know which ones.

[CanuckSARTech]

I don't like the hide-and-seek aspect of this. The playing of these coy games are unfortunate - I think it can detract from the line/product.

Hey, there's other stuff that's supposed to be / initially made at certain specified factories (Cohiba at El Laguito, Partagas at Partagas, etc.) that have done a bit similar and branched out production to various different factories. But with something premium like this, and they made the promise of an El Laguito production specifically and only, this is another small betrayal of the consumer by H S.A.

I'm not even a certain fan of these, haven't tried them yet. But this still chaps my arse to hear.

[MrGlass]

I understand that the demand for this cigar has been overwhelming, and that in order to meet this they need to take further measures. However, promises were made as to exactly how the product they are delivering would be prepared.

If they can't keep those promises, they should be open about it. Explain the situation and detail the measures being taken to ensure that the quality is not compromised. But do not lie to your clients and attempt to cover your tracks.

Their will be dissatisfaction with either approach, but between these two options I know which one I would prefer.

[sblevit]

Tried the BHK 52 and am not a fan. I don't believe the hype. Maybe these need a few years but there are so many better options out there today.

[MPS]

The best fresh cigar I have ever smoked. I have smoked plenty from original release to June box code and all sizes. All have been fantastic and consistent. I am sticking to the BHK52 mostly. I hope the success brings some smaller RG's to the line.

[Charltonc]

I heard mixed reviews, I watched my boss at the cigar store smoke it and say he would rather have a Cohiba robusto with age any day over Behike.

[El Presidente]

I heard mixed reviews, I watched my boss at the cigar store smoke it and say he would rather have a Cohiba robusto with age any day over Behike.

That really surprises me and not because I don't love Cohiba Robusto.

I would be inerested from feedback from members who have purchased Behike from here or LCDH, B&M dealers in Europe etc. . What has there experience been?

Not in any way diminishing other retailers but the Behike has now taken the mantle as the number 1 faked cigar and I just want to rule out the chance.

[Puros Y Vino]

Not in any way diminishing other retailers but the Behike has now taken the mantle as the number 1 faked cigar and I just want to rule out the chance.

Faked? So that ultra slick cigar band has been duplicated flawlessly or have people fallen for a pale imitation of it? Have you seen any fakes?

[El Presidente]

Faked? So that ultra slick cigar band has been duplicated flawlessly or have people fallen for a pale imitation of it? Have you seen any fakes?

I get one call a week from Australians returning from Havana with Behike purchased for 75 USD wanting to sell them.

I get 8-10 e-mails a week from people around the world who have visited Havana, done the same, and wanting to move them through me or on the forum direct.

I get 2-3 e-mails from various known dirty distributors a week wanting to move mastercases of Behike, all sizes and no limit to quantity.

The fake Behike market is alive and well.

[Puros Y Vino]

I get one call a week from Australians returning from Havana with Behike purchased for 75 USD wanting to sell them.

I get 8-10 e-mails a week from people around the world who have visited Havana, done the same, and wanting to move them through me or on the forum direct.

I get 2-3 e-mails from various known dirty distributors a week wanting to move mastercases of Behike, all sizes and no limit to quantity.

The fake Behike market is alive and well.

Wow. That is quite the extensive racket in place. It goes to show you. The exclusivity of the product makes it even more ripe to fakery.

If you can get photos of them you should post them, so folks know what to look for.

[cigcars]

I get one call a week from Australians returning from Havana with Behike purchased for 75 USD wanting to sell them.

I get 8-10 e-mails a week from people around the world who have visited Havana, done the same, and wanting to move them through me or on the forum direct.

I get 2-3 e-mails from various known dirty distributors a week wanting to move mastercases of Behike, all sizes and no limit to quantity.

The fake Behike market is alive and well.

*I wouldn't doubt it, wouldn't doubt it at all. And do take extra precautions to avoid these days being taken by local venders trying to charge $18 apiece just to end up smoking a fake cigar band

[Leopolis Semper Fidelis]

HSA's dishonesty in this regard is appalling, but I'm not altogether surprised.

[anacostiakat]

That really surprises me and not because I don't love Cohiba Robusto.

I would be inerested from feedback from members who have purchased Behike from here or LCDH, B&M dealers in Europe etc. . What has there experience been?

Not in any way diminishing other retailers but the Behike has now taken the mantle as the number 1 faked cigar and I just want to rule out the chance.

I have smoked one 52 and one 54.

The 52, while showing nice flavors was not ready for primetime IMHO. Needed some down time.

The 54 I torched recently on the completion of a kitchen remodel. It was excellent. A beautiful cigar and while I don't really care for cigars of this ring gauge it made an impression on me.

BTW, does this mean your backorders will be filled?

[Colt45]

I agree that by trying to keep it hidden, it gives the impression that they've something to hide. But I also feel that it sells the consumer short -

"if we tell them, they won't buy." Sure, HSA doesn't have the most sparkling record when it comes to quality control, but give consumers credit -

they'll continue to buy if you uphold your end of the bargain.

[PigFish]

I think there is real and perceived value to cigars, certain rollers, certain factories etc. I also believe that H SA can't help but **** up a good product given the leeway. It just how they do things in Cuba. They can't leave well enough alone and give the CB buyer his moneys worth by keeping the cigar limited in production and continuing to deliver what the CB buyer perceives as a value for his money. With the CB selling into what is being described as a shortage, one would have to judge the CB as a commercial success regardless of any individual's perception of it.

For the record I have never bought a CB and as a result will not likely smoke one. Having been around CC's for sometime, watching the follies of H SA as become a point of levity with me as they continue to make the same mistakes over and over again. I think that they will likely ruin the reputation of these cigars as they have done with most of their limited production products. Frankly I don't view the high-line cigar buyer as a picky buyer. I view him as a bit of a sucker... and it is apparent that H SA feels the same way! These folks typify the belief that the taste of a CC is linked to its price. H SA will continue to exploit that mindset as long as it exists... as well they should.

On the flip side there are some marvelous rollers of cigars on that island and rolling a 50 plus ring cigar is not the most challenging cigar on the menu. As long as they keep the material selection standards high (which by reputation they will likely **** up as well), and the same materials are used, I can't see why the CB buyer should be disappointed in the product regardless of where the cigar is rolled. Anyone who has smoked cigars for a period of time knows that good and bad cigars are rolled all over the island. A certain factory does not guarantee a certain level of product satisfaction.

I see both sides of this. The CB buyer should get his money's worth. BUT... what is his money's worth? The mere fact that the untested cigar sells at a premium establishes the value of the untested but well marketed cigar. When buyers demand so little in the way of a reputation before spending their money they have set the bar for their expectations low in the first place. It is easy to abuse such consumers, ones with low expectations and I fully expect that H SA will continue the practice as long as it is supported economically. This is therefore a non-issue. It is life as usual at H SA. -Piggy

[padrinocubano]

On the flip side there are some marvelous rollers of cigars on that island and rolling a 50 plus ring cigar is not the most challenging cigar on the menu. As long as they keep the material selection standards high (which by reputation they will likely **** up as well), and the same materials are used, I can't see why the CB buyer should be disappointed in the product regardless of where the cigar is rolled. Anyone who has smoked cigars for a period of time knows that good and bad cigars are rolled all over the island. A certain factory does not guarantee a certain level of product satisfaction.

Since some weeks the Behike 54 is rolled also in the Partagas factory.

That is not a secret, even at The Partagas festival Habanos told this to the visitors of the festival.

(see the review by Mitchell Orchant from the Partagas festival)

in the laguito factory are rolling about 40 rollers the Behike in this moment.

The highest production there is the Behike 56.

In Habana it is difficult to find a Behike box in the casas de habanos right now.

regards

PC

[El Presidente]

That is not a secret,

regards

PC

They were never going to be able to keep it hidden.

Why are not the bands stamped at Partagas? Why sent back to El Laguito to be "mixed in".

Why not change every aspect of their marketiing "claims" for Behike? The exclusive El Laguito claim is stll on the HSA website and all associated marketing material.

Misleading conduct at a minimum.

[CanuckSARTech]

I get one call a week from Australians returning from Havana with Behike purchased for 75 USD wanting to sell them.

I get 8-10 e-mails a week from people around the world who have visited Havana, done the same, and wanting to move them through me or on the forum direct.

I get 2-3 e-mails from various known dirty distributors a week wanting to move mastercases of Behike, all sizes and no limit to quantity.

The fake Behike market is alive and well.

So........you have been getting my e-mails okay then??? I'll take your non-response as a maybe, then.

[BonVivant]

The best fresh cigar I have ever smoked. I have smoked plenty from original release to June box code and all sizes. All have been fantastic and consistent. I am sticking to the BHK52 mostly. I hope the success brings some smaller RG's to the line.

Plus one - great and consistent cigar, so far.

To Rob: It was bound to happen, and was predicted and speculated on. First releases = brilliant, later - will see, and hope that it will be as good. Hopefully, the shortcuts will not make the quality suffer.

[Savoy]

interesting honest post by rob....this is something i believed would happen..the theroy that first releases are always the best....thankfully i stocked up on these and it won't be a problem..thax to rob and lisa

[CanuckSARTech]

Rob, question for ya...

This whole issue is another reason, unfortunately, why adherence to obtaining boxes from specific factories and/or factory codes are so high on the list of some of our "wants" when we shop for boxes. Like with the Cohiba lineup, which is now made just about everywhere, there seems to be no true attempt being made by H S.A. to stick to their word and produce certain marcas/blends/cigars where they say they will. They trumpet out these new vitolas with such fanfare and grand promises, but then they (potentially) water-down the product by spreading production far and wide to various, sometimes fully unknown and maybe uncapable even, factories. Like Savoy notably said, another reason why the theory that "first releases are always the best" unfortunately comes to bear again.

I get that there are many capable rollers and various factories, not just at El Laguito or Partagas for example. And, also that certain cigars have to be rolled by a certain level of roller, and that they have to meet those qualifications no matter the factory that they work in. But, there still does tend to be a difference - look at how many have mentioned it when comparing the Trinidad Fundadores that were made at El Laguito from 1998-2003, compared to post-2003 at any number of factories. And, this bait-and-switch by H S.A. to have all of these Behike boxes stamped at El Laguito, no matter the factory that they were actually rolled at, definitely doesn't help any. But....individual factories do definitely seem to have a hit or a miss with very specific marcas and vitolas.

It's been a number of years now since H S.A. has revamped their factory codes, and while past codes were "broken" or revealed in relatively short time, for the most part this recent rendition of their codes remains unlocked. And it seems like with this new factory coding, that the codes roll around - that is to say it seems like there's multiple codes for the same factory, and that the codes change every so many months, etc.

So here's the question (after my lengthy reasoning) - are we fairly close, or are there certain people in the know (aside from H S.A. and select distributors) who are aware of these newer codes for the factories???

I know there's been discussion on here a number of times lately about factory codes, and the forum community does seem to be evenly split between those who desparately want to know, and then others who don't give a care at all (some even playfully chiding others for wanting to know such a little, seemingly insignificant, detail). But, besides the date of the box manufacture, the factory code is the other measure that we have for shopping comparison, to try to obtain another great box potentially.

For example, I've now got some absolutely fabulous Montecristo No. 4's that were made in October 2009, and at "RAS". Now, I have no idea what factory RAS is, but I intend on stocking up on as many of these that I can. I've got a standing order in with you and Lisa for more PSP-specific boxes of these, as they become found. But, knowing what factory this is, when they no doubt convert and roll the factory codes again in another year or so, would be a huge benefit for me with these, to try as I can to maybe get these sticks from the same production group at the factory (while I fully understand that year-to-year crop difference and blends can slightly change, as well as maybe certain rollers leaving a specific factory).

Long post, sorry Rob, but something that keeps popping up in my mind.

[El Presidente]

Codes are about as useful as a rabbits foot at a casino.

When you win you credit the Rabbits foot. When you lose you curse it. Different people at the casino are crediting and cursing the Rabbits foot all at the same time.

codes are tightly held by tabacuba not HSA and are changed as much as weekly (for major prouction runs ie a P2 at partagas). I haven't had an update for some time.

You can get good runs where say TEB BRC MAR 07 are pretty much spot and skewed to HQ. Still 25% below PE standard but much better than average.

However TEB 898 Varnished same year same month may have been woeful.

MEL is another case in point. Skewed to very good. Plenty of crap. All carry the same code.

it comes back to the quality of leaf set aside by the blender for that production run. Very little to do with the factory.

There are plenty of small fabricas outside of havana with 30 - 50 rollers who's work is far better than the major fabricas in havana. They are relatively happy, have real team work and pride.

I haven't helped you at all

[sblevit]

I would be inerested from feedback from members who have purchased Behike from here or LCDH, B&M dealers in Europe etc. . What has there experience been?

I purchased a box of BHK 52 from a certain well-known Swiss Internet retailer with a great reputation that has been around for more than 10 yrs. They did not have any BHK stock when I inquired about them but were able to get a box for me within two weeks and they are now readily available on their site. I paid US$330 for the box. I believe the box I received is the real deal and would be happy to post up some pics for inspection. After I received the box, I put it in my humi for two weeks before trying the first cigar. But the BHK 52 just did not excite me. Here's what I wrote to a friend immediately after smoking

First 1/3: Very smooth start with some medium pepper, turning a little sour (even though it's a BHK it's still a 2010). Construction and draw are perfect and there is plenty of smoke. It tastes like a Cohiba, but more medium than say a CS IV. Not really getting anything special out of this. The burn turned out to be well less than perfect.

Second 1/3: Flavor is starting to pick up a touch. It's becoming like a mix of slight creamy, nutty and vegetal flavors. It's ok here although the flavors are difficult to distinguish. Later, the spice from the first 1/3 ramped up again.

Final 1/3: More spice with some slight creaminess.

Honestly, I would have rather smoked a Trini Robusto T, which has become a fav of mine lately. A great PSD4 blows this out of the water. I don't see how this gets better than an 8.0. Perhaps these still need to sit for a few yrs.

Did I get a fake box? I doubt it. The vendor is very reliable and my box had all the right bells and whistles. But I suppose you never know as the counterfitters get better all the time.