Peterson Pipes Dracula Collection: Red & Black Irish Wood Briar Pipe (15)

For a few years I've been using a semi-cheap bent billiard briar that cost me around sixty bucks (I think it was a reject pipe). It was a good pipe, but unfortunately, the stem snapped off. I was heartbroken, but I had a couple others to work with (mostly my trusty Missouri Meerschaum corn cob and Nording Compass). Yet I kept missing my traditional briar pipe, so I started looking for a replacement. Choice paralysis gripped me for a week or two due to the sheer number of retailers and options, until I said, "screw it" and bought the Dracula Bent Billiard (65). A few days later it arrived, and to put it bluntly, I was disappointed. Disappointed and considering returning it. This pipe is much smaller and daintier than the broken briar it was replacing, and the bend in the stem was much too extreme for my liking. Clenching the pipe, the bowl hung down around my chin. Even though it was surprisingly light and easy to clench, I didnt want a bowl that low. Not my style. I planned on throwing it in a drawer and never using it- especially since I repaired the pipe it was supposed to replace. Well, a week or so goes by before I figure, to hell with it. I'm going to light it up and see what's what. I didn't dry the tobacco (Briar Fox for it's first smoke), I didn't even crumble it properly before haphazardly stuffing a bowl and lighting it. Oh my. I get it now. Despite having my mind made up that I didn't like this pipe, and despite my poor packing of the bowl, this thing smoked beautifully. The draw was wonderful, it didn't get hot- and I was billowing this thing (remember, I didn't care about break-in because I wasn't going to use this more than a couple of times in it's life). No tongue bite, and it didn't gurgle. But the thing that most surprised me was the thing I most disliked about it. That extreme bend in the stem kept wafting a faint amount of smoke in my face, and I had the most pleasant aroma right under my nose through the whole bowl. Not enough to cause irritation, but enough to really take in the wonderful smell. What is going on? I really disliked this pipe, but now I can't wait to use it again! What a rollercoaster. I'm still not a fan of the shape, but I certainly cant complain about it's performance! This is going to be a regular for me, just maybe not the one I leave the house with. Anyway, that's enough rambling. It's a good pipe. No, it's a fantastic pipe, and I'm happy it's in the collection. Attached is a photo of how it clenches, and the size of it compared to my now-repaired briar.

Very happy with this Dracula! Nice quality.

Quality pipe with a nice draw.

Absolute Craftsmanship

Blah,blaaah i vant to smoke this pipe! I'm getting back into pipe smoking after a 30+plus Year hiatus and wanted to treat myself to a genuine peterson was looking for days when I saw this one it was love at first sight! My goodness what a handsome pipe and a great smoker too so glad I ordered this one I really am. I remember my dad and I having complete non talking conversations over our pipes evenings at the cabin he's gone now so a bowl of prince Albert really gives those fond memories of that winter the last of being a kid before I had to leave to go out in the world. priceless

I already own 30-some pipes but this is my new favorite and the best smoker of the lot.

Good solid pipe. Nice stem very durable feeling. Use this one regularly

Very impressive pipe Peterson has great quality pipes

Superbe quality thank you