Peterson 2003 Pipe of the Year Smooth Brandy Estate Briar Pipe, Irish Estates

Description

Peterson pipes generally need no introduction, but just in case you’re unfamiliar: in 1876, a Latvian named Charles Peterson immigrated to Ireland and was hired making pipes in a workshop owned by Frederick and George Kapp. After rising through the ranks to become head craftsman, Peterson bought into the Kapp’s business, which was renamed, Kapp & Peterson (K&P). During this time, Peterson himself applied for several patents for pipe designs, including the world-famous Peterson’s System. Since then, Peterson has become one of the most recognizable names in pipe smoking and continues to produce high quality pipes from their headquarters in Dublin.

Since 1997, Peterson has released an annual, limited edition “Pipe of the Year,” with these pipes typically being novel designs, or reissues of shapes that have long since been discontinued. For the 2003 release, seen here, Peterson fans were treated to the former: a brand new shape, which later became the elusive B20. One might consider it a brandy, or at the very least a stout billiard, with the 2003 Pipe of the Year rendition featuring twin bands of sterling silver and a faux spigot mount. The 2003 rendition is also notable for having some of the best grain in the Pipe of the Year series, at least in my experience, with this one being positively lit up by bird’s-eye patterns.

The condition is very good. Some wear to the inner rim and a couple of very light scratches on the bowl.

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.77 / 19.55mm

Bowl Depth: 1.72″ / 43.68mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 54g