I know I may be beating the proverbial dead horse with this inflated collection of words, so I thank you in advance for bearing with me.
I've read the debates: Are Dunhill pipes really worth their premium price tag? Of course, having never experienced a Dunhill first hand, I've always participated in these conversations as only an observer. For my individual taste, the classic Dunhill shapes seem rather subdued (especially when taken into combined consideration with their average cost). That is, until I recently spied a rather attractive sandblasted estate pipe. I was actually surprised to see the iconic white dot on its stem; because, in my opinion, I wouldn't call this particular pipe's shape classic or traditional.
The good acquaintance that was showing me the piece out from behind the glass, agreed; saying, "I know! When I first saw it, I thought it was an Italian maker. Normally I find Dunhill's shapes just so damn... ... ... British!"
"Oh, baby," my wife even commented, "that's a Bear pipe!"
The pipe was a [1986] Dunhill Shell #5102 BS... and sitting next to the Shell Brier was another [unsmoked] estate Dunhill billiard: a more traditional ― and petite ― [2000] Bruyere #3101.
The acquaintance, familiar through our previous conversations that I'd never been attracted to any specific Dunhill shape (minus some limited Christmas offerings) and thus having never had the privileged of smoking one, grinned and said, "You know what? You guys have always been really good to us over the years..." He then went on to make quite the generous gesture: offering us both Dunhills at the initial price that the tobacco shop had purchased them for from the original owner (in shop trade value); virtually offering to gift us the pair of briers.
As I walked out of the shop, belated Christmas presents in hand, I couldn't thank him enough for the lavish exchange.
"It's my pleasure," he responded, "and now you can see if Dunhills are really worth it."
So, later that evening, as I gently tamped the embers of a familiar flake, and took inaugural sips from the small Dunhill, my opinions weren't being swayed by the infamously hefty price tag.
The first thing that stood out about the pipe was its balance. It perched between my clenched teeth with minimal effort, giving the illusion of near weightlessness; the draw was also close to perfect, virtually smoking itself; and, though a group 3 chamber is a bit small for my personal taste, it smoked my folded flake for several hours... doing so cool and dry through the entirety.
Yes, it's a good pipe; however, I wouldn't call it extraordinary; and I still preferred my Ardor Sherlock Holmes XIV... but then, this morning, I decided to try the #5102 BS.
This pipe's size and shape are more to my preference, and the tobacco I'm enjoying in it, smokes wonderfully. Even for its larger size, it shares all the same qualities of its more petite cousin, but just seems to produce a better quality smoke, with a richer flavor. In fact, my only slight personal cavil is Dunhill's use of Vulcanite stems.
And though this statement may be premature: I will admit, this particular pipe might come to rival my beloved Ardor; and I may, in the distant future, seek out a similarly shaped Dunhill (preferably from the same year) or perhaps try their interpretation on the poker.
I don't see myself owning a fleet of Dunhills, but procuring a seven day set over the next decade may be a personal goal.
So ― yes ― much like tobacco, taste in pipes are highly subjective; and, while there may be some Dunhill duds out in the market place, I'm personally quite fond on this #5102 BS. Perhaps my local brick & mortar, knowing well my personal taste and preferences, decided this generous investment would serve them several fold in the future.
Would anyone care to share their expierences or opinions (good, bad, or ugly) with specific Dunhill shapes?
I've read the debates: Are Dunhill pipes really worth their premium price tag? Of course, having never experienced a Dunhill first hand, I've always participated in these conversations as only an observer. For my individual taste, the classic Dunhill shapes seem rather subdued (especially when taken into combined consideration with their average cost). That is, until I recently spied a rather attractive sandblasted estate pipe. I was actually surprised to see the iconic white dot on its stem; because, in my opinion, I wouldn't call this particular pipe's shape classic or traditional.
The good acquaintance that was showing me the piece out from behind the glass, agreed; saying, "I know! When I first saw it, I thought it was an Italian maker. Normally I find Dunhill's shapes just so damn... ... ... British!"
"Oh, baby," my wife even commented, "that's a Bear pipe!"
The pipe was a [1986] Dunhill Shell #5102 BS... and sitting next to the Shell Brier was another [unsmoked] estate Dunhill billiard: a more traditional ― and petite ― [2000] Bruyere #3101.
The acquaintance, familiar through our previous conversations that I'd never been attracted to any specific Dunhill shape (minus some limited Christmas offerings) and thus having never had the privileged of smoking one, grinned and said, "You know what? You guys have always been really good to us over the years..." He then went on to make quite the generous gesture: offering us both Dunhills at the initial price that the tobacco shop had purchased them for from the original owner (in shop trade value); virtually offering to gift us the pair of briers.
As I walked out of the shop, belated Christmas presents in hand, I couldn't thank him enough for the lavish exchange.
"It's my pleasure," he responded, "and now you can see if Dunhills are really worth it."
So, later that evening, as I gently tamped the embers of a familiar flake, and took inaugural sips from the small Dunhill, my opinions weren't being swayed by the infamously hefty price tag.
The first thing that stood out about the pipe was its balance. It perched between my clenched teeth with minimal effort, giving the illusion of near weightlessness; the draw was also close to perfect, virtually smoking itself; and, though a group 3 chamber is a bit small for my personal taste, it smoked my folded flake for several hours... doing so cool and dry through the entirety.
Yes, it's a good pipe; however, I wouldn't call it extraordinary; and I still preferred my Ardor Sherlock Holmes XIV... but then, this morning, I decided to try the #5102 BS.
This pipe's size and shape are more to my preference, and the tobacco I'm enjoying in it, smokes wonderfully. Even for its larger size, it shares all the same qualities of its more petite cousin, but just seems to produce a better quality smoke, with a richer flavor. In fact, my only slight personal cavil is Dunhill's use of Vulcanite stems.
And though this statement may be premature: I will admit, this particular pipe might come to rival my beloved Ardor; and I may, in the distant future, seek out a similarly shaped Dunhill (preferably from the same year) or perhaps try their interpretation on the poker.
I don't see myself owning a fleet of Dunhills, but procuring a seven day set over the next decade may be a personal goal.
So ― yes ― much like tobacco, taste in pipes are highly subjective; and, while there may be some Dunhill duds out in the market place, I'm personally quite fond on this #5102 BS. Perhaps my local brick & mortar, knowing well my personal taste and preferences, decided this generous investment would serve them several fold in the future.
Would anyone care to share their expierences or opinions (good, bad, or ugly) with specific Dunhill shapes?
.gif)
:
