Dunhill: SPC Two Pipe Set 2021 Shell Briar/Bruyere (6/15) (with Ventage Case) Tobacco Pipe

In 2020, Smokingpipes celebrated its 20th anniversary, a landmark achievement in our history marked by the release of several special-edition pipes from multiple marques and workshops. Among these was Dunhill, the legendary English standard bearer for classic design and one of the most important influences of the traditional pipe-shape chart, fashioning a special two-pipe set to commemorate our anniversary.

The collaboration continues for 2021 with another Smokingpipes release of limited-edition sets. Comprising 31 pairings total, with each duo nestled in their own Ventage case for safe storage, the 2021 edition hearkens to Dunhill's earliest days of pipe making. Two of their most timeless, recognizable profiles, the "02" bent Billiard and the "01" straight Apple, define these sets, each finished in one of three finish combinations: 15 Cumberland and Chestnut, 15 Shell Briar and Bruyere and a singular Root Briar and Ring Grain.

This particular brace of pipes is the Shell Briar and Bruyere combination, delivering two very different textures and hues to appreciate, but each iconically Dunhill. The "3201" straight Apple wears the smooth, glossy stain of the Bruyere here, itself working in concert with the Ventage case and Shell Briar sandblast to bring about the feeling of holding a regal, time-honored, and flawless doublet of Dunhills, with each of these elements being introduced to the English marque's catalog over 100 years ago. Said Apple is absolutely arrow-straight, with a sense of poised refinement about it that is elevated by both its lithe saddle stem and the textured band of silver around its shank end. The bowl here is plump and fits excellently in the hand, as is iconic for the shape, sitting proudly upon a sweeping heel and features a wide transition that provides ample room to drape a thumb. In group 3 size it provides a complete package of attractive stylistic cues in a compact, easily manageable size, all while remaining large enough to hold a respectable amount of tobacco.

The "3102" bent Billiard here is possessed of a sinuous, languid S-curve that runs from button to rim, making the set quite dynamic, not just in variety of shapes, but in the dichotomy it brings through its fluid curvature. This contrast of elements is heightened by its pairing to a tapered stem, giving the impression of a continuous expansion through its entire build, opposing the more upright structure of the Apple. The bowl, however, features a less rounded design than its twin, with sides that are inflated just enough to provide an excellent space for the hand, though with a transition wide enough for thumb resting as well. Its inky stain and sandblast give it a rugged yet refined quality when paired with its own silver shank end band.