Pipe smoking is the oldest known form of smoking in the world, and with millennia of history and centuries of heritage, it is perhaps not shocking that it is not always easy to find the perfect pipe for you.
As expert connoisseurs and guides to the refined world of pipes and cigars, we are often asked which pipe is the best in the world, or whether a certain manufacturer makes the best pipes around, and the answer is often rather more complex.
One of the best explanations of why this is comes from author Malcolm Gladwell, quoting psychophysicist Howard Moskowitz, who said that there is no singular perfect product but instead a plurality of perfect products. Everyone has a different vision of the best.
However, there are some pipes and pipe brands that go above and beyond.
To explore which is the best pipe for you, here is a brief guide to the factors that make some pipes better than others, what you should look for in a pipe yourself and some of the best pipes from the best manufacturers in the world to give you inspiration.
One of the most beautiful aspects of pipe smoking as opposed to cigarettes is the inherent handcrafted nature of high-quality tobacco pipes.
We are naturally drawn towards the makers of beautiful objects, and pipes are often elegant if not outright beautiful, just to the artful nature in which they are constructed and built to maximise the delight of the smoking experience.
Because the best pipes are handcrafted by artisans, there is a premium on experience and expertise. This is why many of the most beloved marques in pipe smoking, such as Salvinelli, have centuries of heritage behind them.
The best pipes, therefore, take full advantage of that heritage, experience and beautiful craftsmanship, but marry it to more advanced knowledge cultivated throughout the decades for what makes the perfect pipe for smoking.
What you will notice immediately, however, is that briar appears to be the material of choice for the most high-end pipe manufacturers out there, so if it’s a luxury product you’re after, briar would be a most excellent choice to make.
Favoured by the likes of Salvinelli and Dunhill, briar root is taken from the tree heath, native to the Mediterranean. Briar pipes are considered the gold standard of all pipes on the market – and here’s why:
The root is very dense and resistant to burning, so it’s very capable of withstanding high temperatures seen inside pipes.
Briar is preferred over other woods because it doesn’t influence the flavour or aroma of the tobacco, so the true nature of the blend shines through.
Briar is effective at absorbing and retaining water, soaking up any moisture and condensation that arises while smoking, helping to ensure a dry experience for aficionados.
There are countless factors which go into choosing a tobacco pipe, and almost all of them are as much a matter of personal preference and opinion. In many cases, there is no truly definitive correct answer.
The discussion of whether Peterson or Salvinelli pipes are the best ever made, for example, has been spiritedly discussed in gentlemen’s clubs for generations, with still no clear consensus by this point.
However, there are three major factors that will always be vital when choosing a high-quality pipe for yourself:
Whilst there are specific forms of pipe, there are different house styles and stylistic flourishes. Artisan crafts inherently lead to people creating pipes in specific ways and with specific materials.
Ultimately, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so the golden rule when it comes to aesthetics is to choose a pipe that speaks to you.
If you like how it looks and feels, that matters far more than choosing a highly reviewed pipe that feels unwieldy to you, or you do not feel it suits you when you smoke it.
With high-quality pipes such as the ones from the three manufacturers we will explore below, you thankfully avoid the biggest red flags that signify a poorly made pipe:
- Poorly aligned parts, which create turbulence in your tobacco draw and create a louder, wetter smoke than some find desirable.
- Putty fills, which can cause a pipe (particularly a briar pipe) to look mottled over time.
- Metal filter inserts which can create condensation within the pipe itself.
- A heavy, poor-quality varnish or seal, which has the risk of bubbling or flaking over time.
With centuries of artisan excellence, the best makers of pipes in the world tend to avoid issues like this, which can spoil your enjoyment.
However, there are other factors that can shape whether a pipe is mechanically and technically right for you:
- The grain has almost no effect on the quality of the pipe to smoke, but a more uniform grain tends to be more highly prized due to the unpredictable nature of brier.
- An ideal pipe should feel remarkably light given its size and quality. A lighter pipe tends to be better to smoke over a long period, as it is easier to hold in your mouth. However, there is no accounting for taste, and huge pipes exist for a reason.
- Sandpits and other irregularities in the grain do little to affect the smoking action of a pipe, but the fewer there are, the better.
- Everything should fit together well, there should be no obvious marks or uneven finishes, and the pipe should generally look like it was lovingly made for you. Anything you notice that seems odd or messy can be a red flag.
- The draft hole should be in the centre of the bowl at its base and aligned perfectly to the stem’s airhole.
Any pipe we sell will be inspected carefully with a focus on immaculate quality, but these elements are worth exploring whenever you go shopping.
Speaking of shopping, here are three of the best brands in the world and some highlights from their collection.
One of the first manufacturers to focus purely on smoking tools and pipes, Savinelli has over 150 years of prestige and elegance in the pipe world, specialising in turning brier into the pipe material of choice.
Often a go-to brand of choice for beginners and experienced smokers alike, Savinelli has something for everyone, whether they prefer heritage or modern refinement.
An incredibly stylish and innovatively designed pipe, the Ottagano takes a different approach to maximising the beauty of Mediterranean briar with its octagonal bowl shape.
The pure epitome of Savinelli’s balance of elegance and craftsmanship, the Minerva Lisca uses a smooth finish to emphasise the beauty of the briar that makes Savinelli pipes as amazing as they are.
Possibly the most authentic and heritage-driven pipemakers in the world, Peterson pipes have largely retained the same authentic design, the elegant Peterson System for ensuring a drier, cooler smoke, and a focus on premium materials to make the best possible pipe.
The Peterson 2024 Pipe of the Year is a perfect encapsulation of everything the Irish pipemakers get so right, from its beautiful sandblasted finish, the P-Lip mouthpiece draws smoke to the roof of the mouth rather than the tongue, and the beautiful balance of its design.
The Great Detective was famous for his love of pipes, and this Baker Street special is perhaps the greatest celebration of his love of tobacco from a legendary pipemaker who would have been a contemporary.
Compared to even the heritage of Peterson and the elegance of Savinelli, Dunhill Pipes and their characteristic white spot have become the hallmark of some of the most exquisite, expensive and luxurious pipes money can buy.
An astonishingly fine limited edition pipe with a gold bulldog windshield, the Bulldog series is a celebration of the best of British elegance, refinement and craftsmanship.
Made for the 450th anniversary of the world’s greatest playwright, this Bent Dublin is engraved with his signature and perfectly captures the influence and prestige of William Shakespeare.
