Irish Estates: Peterson Premier System Smooth (301) (P-Lip) (2015) Tobacco Pipe

The Pot is an inherently muscular shape, the bowl prioritizing breadth over height and often displaying a thick-walled substance in hand. When rendered from Peterson, though, the shape exhibits even more muscularity. The Irish marque's aesthetic is conventionally characterized as stout and hearty, and it's exemplified in Peterson's "301" bent Pot. It's the same shape as the iconic "01" — the shank and transition echoing the robustness of the bowl, while remaining well balanced thanks to the stem's quarter bend — but imbued with Peterson's patented System engineering

Peterson's System pipe is one of the Irish marque's most celebrated and historic innovations, boasting patents dating back to 1890. The System is comprised of three aspects: an army mount, internal condensation reservoir, and the graduated bore P-Lip mouthpiece (though Peterson does offer fishtail versions to accommodate smokers' preferences). Being the only externally visible of the three components, the military mount allows the pipe to be broken down even while hot, reinforcing the shank. The other two parts, the internal reservoir and graduated bore, are found within the pipe itself — both working in tandem to remove moisture from the smoke. Such a construction requires a slightly different process when cleaning a System pipe, and results in a more flavorful, drier smoke. A step up from the System Standard line, the Premier trades the former's nickel mount for one of sterling silver — Peterson's silverwork being a significant source of pride and renown for the Sallynoggin factory. Featuring select-grade briar, the Premier System is presented here in a smooth, auburn-stained finish, showing off the natural grain in a traditional color palette. The System series is a testament to Peterson's influence on the pipe industry at large, and its continued popularity over the past 100-plus years bespeaks the company's reputation for quality.