Deluxe Classic Terracotta (B5) P-Lip

Peterson's "B" series of pipes originated around 1998 and presents rather unique shapes within the Irish marque's portfolio. A number of these designs began as special collections, with overflowing stock given a "B" designation until being exhausted, while others have since become standards of Peterson's shape chart. The "B5" is one such standard, and like most other "B" pieces, it combines elements of other shapes for a unique, hybrid form. It shares much in common with the classic bent Bulldog — a diamond shank and characteristic beadline, below which the bowl tapers toward the heel — however, the bowl's silhouette resembles an Acorn, with the waistline high-set and the rim slightly rounded compared to the Bulldog's usually crisp taper. A subtle bend is lent to the stem, and when combined with the angled transition, it balances out the robust proportions of the stummel, typical of Peterson's signature muscular shaping cues.

As the oldest continuously operating pipe factory in the world, Peterson often draws on its historic tradition to perfectly balance modern innovation with traditionalism, and the Deluxe Classic line embodies that approach, offering a series of pipes inspired by vintage aesthetics from historic Peterson catalogs. The Deluxe Classic range showcases extra-wide bands of sterling silver, and such a style is reminiscent of early-20th-century pipe design and indicative of Peterson's renowned metalwork, calling to mind patent-era Peterson pipes and creating a look that's classically Peterson in the same vein as many of their Pipe of the Year releases. Unlike those yearly editions, though, the Deluxe Classic series brings this retro motif to Peterson's regular-production lineup, limited only by the line's standards for briar quality. The luxurious silver accents combine beautifully with stummels selected specifically for their superior grain, with this example dressed in the smooth Terracotta finish — a rich, ruby-tinged stain that evokes the look of vintage pipes from the early 1900s. The Deluxe Classic series is one of Peterson's high-grade lines, composed entirely of non-System shapes but with many still featuring the patented P-Lip mouthpiece, lauded for distributing smoke evenly across the palate.