Dunhill: Amber Flame Belge (DR) (One Flame) Tobacco Pipe

The Belge is not a shape that's often seen from Dunhill, with the English marque producing the shape exclusively as a part of their Quaint series, though this piece falls outside of that line, being a member of their rare Amber Flame collection. The stummel here is quite petite, with a trim, tapering shank that meets a lengthy shank which continues that taper through to the button and extends the reach of this piece to nearly six inches. Up front, the bowl takes on a gentle forward cant as it rests on its rounded heel, subtly flaring to a high-set waistline before taking on an arcing taper to the rim. A wide transition and the bowl's rounded walls lend a comfortable feel in hand, while the light weight and overall proportions of a Group 1 or 2 sized pipe offer easy clenching despite the straight shank and stem. As a part of the Amber Flame line, this piece necessitates perfect briar much like the Root Briar series, and has been dressed in a warm auburn stain that reveals exceptional grain.

One of Dunhill's more recent finishes, the Amber Root was introduced in 1995. Like the Root Briar, it showcases a smooth stain, accentuating the briar's natural grain in traditional style. Typically auburn-hued, the Amber Root is often a touch darker in color than that of the Root Briar, pairing handsomely with the jet-black stem for an aesthetic that combines the grain definition of the Root Briar finish with the darker, smokier tones of the Bruyere. The Amber Flame designates those pipes dressed in this finish that display superlative grain and, much like the Dead Root, have a secondary grading system: Each pipe is graded with flames which increase in quantity as the quality of the grain revealed becomes even more brilliant.