English Estates: Dunhill Bruyere with Bamboo (2103) (2010) Tobacco Pipe

During World War 2, Dunhill began using bamboo to compensate for the shortage of briar. These pieces became known as "Whangees," named after the bamboo canes and umbrellas of the time. The designs caught on, and Dunhill has continued to produce pieces using bamboo ever since, like this "03" Billiard from 2010. In Group 2 size, a petite, firm-heeled bowl sits stoically at the front of a low-slung shank-and-stem arrangement. The abbreviated shank is extended by two stretched knuckles of bamboo, providing a decent bit of length and a dose of warm, organic color to the overall composition. Topped off by a saddle stem of jet-black vulcanite, this piece boasts plenty of eye-catching style, with the bowl wearing the dark, smoky Bruyere finish that accentuates the natural grain orientation of the briar rather handsomely.

The Bruyere was Alfred Dunhill's original finish upon launching his brand of premium pipes and smoking accessories and was the only Dunhill finish from 1910 until 1917. Even after the addition of other finishes, the Bruyere maintained a high level of popularity, becoming synonymous with what is thought of, even today, as the quintessential pipe. To achieve the iconic, ruby hue and saturation, a skilled craftsman painstakingly layers particular stains in a precise manner, then meticulously polishes the pipe to a high luster. The final result is, simply put, timeless.