Dunhill: Bruyere (2108) (2019) Tobacco Pipe

While Dunhill's muscular, yet graceful "08" bent Bulldog/Rhodesian isn't the rarest of shapes, it's not the most common in a Group 2 size. Its renditions are also seen with one of two different shanks — either of the diamond variety and one that's rounded. Dunhill's numeric naming system doesn't account for that distinction, but as you can see here, we see the latter, making for a lovely, smooth-lined Rhodesian finished in the smoky, ruby tones of the Bruyere finish. While this piece is stamped "2108" — typically denoting a tapered stem — this pipe is actually fitted to a saddle variety: a rare anomaly.

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.