Northern Briars Bruyere Premier (4) Smooth Panel Shank Billiard (Estate)

It would be fair to say that for Ian Walker, the English artisan behind Northern Briars, pipe-making runs in the family. His grandfather, George Walker, was a foreman at the historic Duncan Briars factory, while his father Peter Walker, was a tobacconist and pipe repairman. Ian would end up following in his grandfather’s and his father’s footsteps, first becoming the UK’s most trusted repairman and, following some encouragement and instruction from Bill Taylor of Ashton, later becoming one of its most celebrated living artisans.

Ian Walker’s “Premier” designation is used for pipes that are a cut above the typical, high-end pipes that leave his workshop. Both the Bruyere (the flagship smooth series of Northern Briars) and the Rox Cut (rusticated) can be bumped up to a Premier grade if the briar is good enough, and in both cases this is further expressed by a more natural finish than would otherwise be the case. For the Bruyere Premier, this takes the form of a light brown top-coat, as seen here on this large, panel shank billiard rendition. Walker is also known to add extra, decorative elements to his works—typically finer, more subtle ones, as is the English way—with this pipe featuring a cumberland accent near its shank end, complemented by a hand-cut mouthpiece of the same material.

The condition is good. Some darkening and slight scratches on the rim, minor handling marks, and chamber slightly over-reamed. This pipe comes with its original sleeve.

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.77 / 19.55mm

Bowl Depth: 1.67″ / 42.41mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 60g