In its early years Cohiba cigars were only a Cuban State gift for visiting Heads of State and diplomatic delegations. Cohiba is now the most prestigious Habanos brand, famous worldwide. When Christopher Columbus arrived in Cuba in 1492 he saw that the Taino Indians, the indigenous inhabitants of Cuba, lighting up bundles of rolled leaves which they called “Cohiba”. They smoked these as a culmination to a ritual event. As noted in Christopher Columbus’s travel diaries, these ceremonies was conducted by a highly respected person called “Behike”.

Habanos pays homage to the Cuban founding Fathers with the release on the new Cohiba Behike line. After many years of work, the Cohiba Behikes are finally going to hit the world markets in 2010. Considered “Cohiba’s best kept secret” , Cohiba Behike will be produced each year with the best Cuban tobacco coming from San Juan y Martínez (D.O. P,  Protected Denomination of Origin) and San Luis (D.O.P) inside the Vuelta Abajo Region (D.O.P)  in extremely limited quantities in the prestigious “El Laguito” factory. Its blend incorporates for the first time the “Medio Tiempo”, a leaf that attributes to the cigar exceptional character and flavor.

Also denominated Fortaleza 4, the Medio Tiempo is a very scarce leaf coming from the two upper leaves of the sun-grown tobacco plant. However, not all these plants produce both. The sufficient availability of Medio Tiempo to be used in regular productions depends on the dedication, care and attention paid to each tobacco plant. Due to the high positioning of these leaves on the plant, the flavor and strength of the Medio Tiempo leaves gives greater intensity.

The new vitolas will be produced each year in extremely limited quantities due to the rarity of the Medio Tiempo tobacco leaf.

The three vitolas of the new Línea Cohiba Behike are:
- BHK 52: 52 ring gauge (20,64 mm) x 119mm in length - Factory name: Laguito No 4.
- BHK 54: 54 ring gauge (21,43 mm) x 144mm in length - Factory name: Laguito No 5.
- BHK 56: 56 ring gauge (22,22 mm) x 166mm in length - Factory name: Laguito No 6.

Each one of the vitolas is presented in an exclusive 10-cigar lacquered box. The Behike bands bear two holograms for security identification for the first time.

Cohiba Behike is the ultimate expression of the taste and aroma of the Habano.