Dunhill Pipes: A Review of a Legendary Brand

How does one do justice to a legendary brand that’s stood the test of time for over a century? And one with a Royal warrant to boot? Very carefully, I’d say!

Dunhill pipes are some of the world’s most highly sought-after and respected. They are known for their exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and beauty. Dunhill pipes are made from the finest briar wood and are hand-finished. They are also known for their innovative designs and features.

In the pipe-smoking world, the name Dunhill resonates like no other. For over a century, Dunhill’s unwavering commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and innovation has made Dunhill pipes the hallmark of pipe enthusiasts worldwide. Come on a journey to discover why Dunhill pipes are so sought-after by enthusiasts worldwide.

The Legacy of Alfred Dunhill

Born in 1872, Alfred Dunhill inherited a harness business from his father, but his passion lay elsewhere. In 1907, he transformed the family shop at 85 Duke Street, London, into a tobacco shop catering to the discerning tastes of pipe smokers.

Alfred Dunhill was not content selling pipes and tobacco. He aimed for excellence in every aspect of the pipe smoking experience. This pursuit of perfection led to the development of Dunhill pipes. Today, they are considered the finest quality smoking instruments available by many.

Starting in 1893, Dunhill established a business specializing in motoring accessories and, later, in 1902, inaugurated a shop in Mayfair. In 1904, he developed a unique pipe tailored for motorists. The year 1907 saw Alfred opening his tobacconist shop in St James’s, offering custom tobacco blends. Dunhill opened stores in New York and Paris during the 1920s as part of his expansion. His global aspirations contributed to shaping the modern luxury goods market. Alfred Dunhill retired from his business endeavors in 1929 and married his mistress in 1945, following the passing of his wife. Alfred passed away on January 2, 1959.

A Brief History of Dunhill Pipes

Dunhill started his entrepreneurial journey as a tobacconist. But he soon expanded his business to include many luxury goods, including pipes. His pipes gained a reputation for their unwavering quality and craftsmanship standards.

In 1921, Dunhill was awarded a Royal Warrant by Edward, Prince of Wales to supply the British royal family with tobacco products. With his Royal Warrant in hand, Dunhill’s reputation was cemented as a leading producer of luxury goods.

Dunhill pipes continued to be highly popular throughout the 20th century. Some of the greatest, most influential, and most famous people worldwide smoked Dunhill pipes. Prince Edward VII, Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, and Clark Gable enjoyed smoking a Dunhill pipe.

The Dunhill Difference

Dunhill pipes are made from the finest briar wood. Their pipes are also hand-finished to perfection.

Dunhill pipes is also known for its innovative designs and features. For example, Dunhill was among the first companies to introduce the ringed pipe bowl. The rings help to prevent cracks and enhance the smoking experience.

Why Are Dunhill Pipes So Special?

The longevity, coupled with a cool smoking experience, received widespread acclaim. Dunhill’s introduction of the trademark White Spot in 1912 added to these pipe’s widespread acclaim. Only the finest briar is used to craft a pipe, and it goes through 90 processes over several months to ensure the highest quality.

Despite the continuous scrutiny and quality checks throughout the production process, the ultimate examination before a pipe hits the market is conducted by a sole artisan. This underscores the scarcity of top-tier briar required to meet the exacting standards of a Dunhill “White Spot” pipe.

These stringent criteria guarantee that each pipe delivers a flawless smoking experience right from the beginning. When a Dunhill pipe is properly maintained, it retains its initial sweetness throughout its lifetime. The briarwood used is impeccable. There is no room for errors, voids, imperfections, or blemishes. About 5 of every 100 rough briar pieces that enter the factory leave as a genuine Dunhill creation.

Why do pipe smokers so prize Dunhill pipes?

• Quality: Dunhill pipes are made from the finest briar wood, carefully selected and cured for several years. This ensures that each pipe is durable, smoke-friendly, and produces a cool, flavorful smoke.
• Craftsmanship: Dunhill pipes are handcrafted by skilled artisans using traditional methods. This attention to detail results in pipes that are not only beautiful but also perfectly balanced and functional.
• Design: Dunhill pipes are known for their classic, timeless designs. The company offers various shapes and sizes, so a Dunhill pipe suits every taste.
• History: Dunhill pipes have been enjoyed by some of the most famous people in history. Dunhill counts names like Winston Churchill, Clark Gable, Albert Einstein, and King Edward VII among its fans. This rich heritage adds to the appeal of Dunhill pipes for many collectors.

Unique Materials and Finishes

At the heart of every Dunhill pipe is the choice of materials. Dunhill exclusively uses the highest quality briar wood, carefully selected and aged perfectly. Briar wood’s exceptional heat resistance and its natural resistance to moisture make it the ideal choice for crafting pipes. You don’t need to be convinced about briar’s unique properties. We’ve covered how to smoke a briar pipe, but Dunhill takes it a step further with distinctive finishes to suit every taste: smooth and rough finishes allow everyone to hold and smoke a pipe they can enjoy for many years.

Smooth Finishes

Dunhill pipes are offered in the classic polished smooth finish and a rough, sandblasted finish. Let’s see what each has to offer.

• Bruyere: Dunhill’s original 1910 finish, characterized by an unparalleled smoothness to the touch, surpasses any other available finish. The deep, lustrous burgundy hue gradually mellows into a satin-like radiance as the pipe is enjoyed. Over time, the exquisite grain will emerge and create a feast for the eyes.
• Root Briar: Debuted in 1930, this pipe boasts a gently gleaming, golden-polished bowl that impeccably showcases its flawless wood grain. It is exclusively fashioned from the most fitting briarwood, featuring exquisite patterns.
• Amber Root: The bowls chosen for this relatively recent finish seem handpicked for their exceptionally captivating grain patterns, predominantly favoring Straight or Flame Grain designs.
• Chestnut Briar: A luxurious, dark walnut hue adorned with the distinctive Cumberland mouthpiece was unveiled in 1983, serving as a tribute to the closure of the Cumberland Road warehouse. This finish mirrors the stain and stem material of the Cumberland, albeit on a polished bowl. Similar to the Bruyere finish, the texture is velvety to the touch and will gracefully lighten over time to reveal the typically cross-grain pattern on the top and bottom, accompanied by birdseye grain on the sides of the bowl.
• Dress: An elegant high-gloss black finish adorned with a sterling silver band and a black mouthpiece.

Rough And Sandblasted Finishes

During the sandblasting process, the soft wood from the surface is removed. Weeding out fragile bowls that can’t withstand this procedure leaves remarkably resilient and lightweight ones behind. The shell briar bowls typically have slightly thinner walls than their smooth counterparts, requiring more attention in developing the carbon layer.

• Shell Briar: The black sandblast finish reveals a deep relief grain, although it’s only suitable for specific grain patterns. Dunhill introduced the “Shell Briar” finish back in 1917 as their inaugural sandblasted style. Over time, the availability of quality briar has influenced the depth of the sandblasting. The pipes feature a deep sandblasted finish, which has become the most favored. To facilitate stamping on a sandblasted pipe, it’s necessary to smooth and level the base of the stem. Interestingly, this unintended consequence is that most sandblasted pipes, including the bent ones, can stand independently.
• Tanshell: 1953 saw the introduction of a light tan sandblasted bowl, and as it’s smoked, the color deepens into a splendid, rich golden-brown hue. A black mouthpiece complements this elegant piece.
• Red Bark: In 1973, Dunhill made a remarkable addition to the collection: a sandblasted bowl stained in a luxurious, deep burgundy color, perfectly paired with a black mouthpiece.
• Cumberland: In 1980, Dunhill introduced this exquisite finish, which truly captivates with its rich, polished, oxblood-colored stain that imparts a radiant quality to the deep sandblasted briar. Coinciding with this introduction, a new mouthpiece material was developed, featuring a brown marbled color called “Cumberland” to harmonize with the briar’s hue.
• County: Dunhill’s latest finish boasts a contemporary, lighter, deep tan color that harmonizes splendidly with the Cumberland mouthpiece. Additional buffing is applied to attain this distinctive “washed” appearance, resulting in a satin-smooth texture for these sandblasted pipes. The contrast between the dark valleys and the light ridges makes it effortless to admire the grain.

Craftsmanship: Unrivaled Expertise

Dunhill pipes are not just products; they are artisanal masterpieces. Skilled artisans handly shape each pipe painstakingly, ensuring every detail meets Dunhill’s exacting standards. The result is a pipe that smokes exceptionally well from the get-go and retains this throughout its lifetime.

Vulcanite Stems for Comfort

Every Dunhill pipe features a mouthpiece meticulously crafted by hand from a solid rod of “Vulcanite,” which is Dunhill’s proprietary name for a rubber compound. This durable material offers a comfortable experience for those who hold their pipe with their teeth. Moreover, it won’t impart any undesirable flavors to the smoke. You can choose classic black or the distinctive marbled brown called Cumberland for your mouthpiece.

A Mark of Quality

You’ll quickly glance at a Dunhill pipe and notice the iconic white spot on the stem. This small but significant feature signifies the exceptional quality and attention to detail that goes into every Dunhill creation. The white spot has been a hallmark of Dunhill pipes for generations, making them easily recognizable among collectors and enthusiasts.

Initially, Dunhill introduced the white spot to show the stem’s right side and avoid confusion. The Dunhill “White Spot” pipe was the pioneer in offering a guarantee. That tiny white spot remains an emblem of excellence and elegance, and the promise remains as steadfast as ever.

Dunhill Pipe Shapes

Dunhill caters to everyone’s taste and offers a wide range of pipe shapes to cater to diverse preferences. From classic shapes like the Billiard and Bulldog to more unique designs like the Oom Paul and Prince of Wales, there’s something for everyone’s taste.

Whether you prefer a bold and robust shape or a more elegant and refined one, there’s a Dunhill pipe perfect for you. Here are some of the most popular shapes:

1. Apple: With its rounded bowl and short stem, the Apple shape is ideal for enjoying shorter tobaccos.
2. Billiard: A timeless, versatile shape suitable for novice and seasoned smokers.
3. Bulldog: This stout, compact shape boasts a deep bowl and is renowned for delivering a cool and dry smoking experience.
4. Pot: Recognizable by its round, deep bowl, the Pot shape enhances the flavors of full-bodied tobaccos.
5. Prince: An elegant, slender shape featuring a gracefully curved stem, renowned for providing a refined smoking session.

There are far too many shapes, sizes, and styles to mention in this post. We highly recommend reading this guide to help you find the perfect Dunhill pipe. Alternatively, visit your trusted local tobacconist and ask for their advice and recommendations. Remember, Dunhill pipes are not cheap but worth every penny!

Limited Edition Pipes

For those who seek the extraordinary, Dunhill offers limited-edition pipes, too. These pipes are crafted with the utmost care and precision as with all their offerings. Often, they will feature unique finishes and intricate details. Owning a Dunhill limited edition pipe is a testament to your love of pipe smoking and a symbol of your appreciation for the finest quality smoking instruments.

Conclusion

Each Dunhill pipe represents the pinnacle of smoking excellence, from the carefully selected briar wood to the handcrafted details and the iconic white spot.

For pipe smokers who demand the best, Dunhill pipes are the ultimate choice. They offer a smoking instrument, a piece of history, and a symbol of sophistication. With a Dunhill pipe in hand, you’re enjoying tobacco and savoring a tradition of over a century.

So, whether you’re an experienced pipe collector or a novice pipe smoker, consider adding a Dunhill to your pipe collection. Make your pipe smoking experience exceptional with Dunhill, defining the highest quality smoking instruments. Happy Smoking!