Dunhill: Ruby Bark (4103) (2022) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's "03" shape is one of the most iconic renditions of the Billiard produced by any marque, showcasing the timeless nature of the White Spot's shape chart. However, the "03" doesn't only define the Billiard, but also a deeply bent and uniquely constructed Cavalier: the profile seen here. The bowl itself is the classic Billiard bowl, with a supple bit of rounding at its walls and a gentle taper to its chamfered rim, its aft wall paired to an extremely short shank. Said shank features a metal tenon that pushes into a metal cylinder which is fitted with a threaded cap at the bottom that's hollowed to allow moisture to condense and be removed mid-smoke. The cylindrical body tapers toward its top and it's then married to a smartly curved, tapering stem of jet-black vulcanite, creating an overall stance that's well-suited for jaw-hanging. Dressing this piece is the crisp, vibrantly stained sandblast of the Ruby Bark series, the briar contrasting the jet-black tones across the body and stem.

Dunhill's Ruby Bark finish is one that's gone through a fairly extensive evolution since its inception in 1972. It began as the Redbark and has always remained a red-stained sandblast, but the color was brightened a few years after its introduction before Dunhill returned to the original, darker hue in 1976. Eventually, though, the Redbark was discontinued in 1987. After a hiatus of several decades, the same ruby-stained sandblast was reimagined in the form of today's Ruby Bark finish, adding to the rich aesthetic crisp accents of sterling silver for a colorful presentation that still retains a high level of formality.