Peterson: Pipe of the Year 2023 Rusticated P-Lip (585/1100) Tobacco Pipe

The Pipe of the Year series stands as Peterson of Dublin's most premium limited-edition release, and it's been an annual tradition for the Irish marque since 1997. Many iterations of the series revive shapes from Peterson shape charts of days gone by, serving as a look into the storied past of the brand and connecting collectors to the brand's rich tapestry of tradition. The limited production of these pipes and their unique historic connection make these pipes quite desirable to collectors, and 2023's release is no exception. 2023 marks the 125th anniversary of Charles Peterson's patent for the iconic graduated bore P-Lip mouthpiece, one of the three features that would later come to define the Peterson System pipe.

Paying tribute to this innovation is the "X160" bent Billiard. Though not fully a System pipe, the "X160" does feature the same graduated bore and P-Lip button, keeping moisture from rising up the stem and directing smoke onto the palette. Debuting on shape charts as early as 1906, the "X160" is a wonderfully sinuous rendition of the bent Billiard, elevated by the timeless subtlety of its contours and embodying a Danish-style charm. Compared to other takes on the bent Billiard, the "X160" boasts a bowl which is significantly more supple and even Egg-like in silhouette, with a supple waist and arcing taper toward the rim. A wide transition gives way to a lithe, curling shank that tapers to meet a broad, domed fitment of silver, showcasing the talent of Peterson's renowned silversmiths and acting as a durable military mount for its jet-black vulcanite stem. It's available across a variety of handsome finishes, with each piece serialized out of the total 1,100 crafted, and this particular Pipe of the Year is dressed in a dark, craggy rustication, creating plenty of texture and a rugged charm.