Dunhill: Bruyere (2303) (2018) Tobacco Pipe

It's fascinating how much slightly altering a pipe's proportions can affect the overall composition. In the case of this Billiard from Dunhill, the stummel is the English marque's slender, Group 2-sized version of the "03," but it's been fitted to a slightly elongated, tapered stem — as indicated by the second "3" in the four-digit stamp. Compared to Dunhill's "1" tapered stem and "2" saddle stem, the "3" is a longer rendition, adding sleekness and refinement to this pipe. Such elegance is tastefully matched, then, by the timeless Bruyere finish.

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.