Dunhill: Bruyere (3233) (2019) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's "33" is the English marque's take on the classic bent Brandy, and it's a fairly uncommon shape, though not unseen by any stretch of the imagination. It's a shape marked by a plump, wide heel that tapers toward a taut rim, but it differs from typical renditions of the shape by incorporating a wrapping ridgeline around the base of the bowl. This shaping cue brings to mind the Volcano shape but without the same dramatic taper to the rim. The shank-and-stem arrangement here consists of a gentle S-curve that promotes a comfortable smoking posture and lends balance to the bowl. This particular rendition is dressed in the gorgeous Bruyere smooth finish, highlighting the natural grain orientation of the briar rather brilliantly.

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.