Dunhill - Unmatched

Dunhill Pipes – Made in England, or Perhaps Not?

Let’s start by clearing up a myth. There’s a rather far-fetched theory circulating that the Alfred Dunhill's The White Spot manufactory doesn't even exist. Proponents of this "conspiracy theory" claim that Dunhill pipes are made elsewhere – depending on the version, it could be France, Italy, Poland, Albania, China, or Spain. It could even be on the Moon, although we’ve yet to hear that version ourselves.

However, at Cigarworld, we of course take our educational mission seriously and investigated the matter personally. We visited Dunhill, not in China or Poland, but actually in London, and the staff at Dunhill weren’t actors – they were actually making real pipes.

A Bavarian in London

Surprisingly, this very British institution is run by a German. Kalmon Hener, originally from Munich, can’t hide his accent, though his well-groomed appearance in a Glencheck jacket could easily pass for English. He’s also very particular about ensuring that the staff at Dunhill Pipes stick to their tea breaks, adhering fully to British customs.

Kalmon Hener is highly knowledgeable and an enthusiastic collector himself. As a Bavarian on the island, he’s an important constant in the company. After all, relations between the Kingdom and the continent are a bit tricky right now – we’re all familiar with the ongoing Brexit situation. Goods no longer come directly to us, but take a detour through a warehouse in France, where the tedious customs bureaucracy is processed. It’s inconvenient – and takes time. Unfortunately, spontaneity has been lost; ordering pipes in a rush from London like we used to in the EU days is no longer an option.

The White Spot: As Tradition-Driven as Ever

Now, let’s turn to a more pleasant topic: the pipes. As we know, Dunhill pipes are world-class, made with the highest British attention. Style knows no age, and this holds true even for the machines in the manufactory, which appear wonderfully old-fashioned. Many of them are well over forty years old, but that by no means suggests that Dunhill is outdated. On the contrary, the London-based company relies almost exclusively on traditional craftsmanship in woodwork.

When it comes to selecting their materials, however, they are extremely selective. As one would expect from a luxury goods company, only the finest woods are used. And this has been a challenge for Dunhill recently, as good bruyère wood is in short supply.

An Impressive Range

Given this scarcity, it’s surprising how wide the range is. Certain trends also make a return at regular intervals. Currently, customers are increasingly requesting smaller models, especially if they’re sandblasted. Dunhill can no longer ignore the demand for pipes with a 9mm filter, though they offer far fewer shapes in this category, which is related to the construction. About two-thirds of Dunhill pipes are straight, with only a third being bent. This is unusual; most competitors likely have the opposite distribution.

By the way, Dunhill doesn’t just produce under its own name. Pipes from Charatan and Parker are also made here. While they don’t quite reach the level of the parent brand, they still offer top-quality products.

A Look into the Archive

For pipe enthusiasts, the term legend is not an exaggeration when we talk about Dunhill. It’s similar to the famous Swiss watches or luxury cars with the iconic hood ornament. And so, a visit to the archive is a journey through over a century of pipe culture. The first example of every Limited Edition is always kept, and Dunhill even buys historical pipes of special value to document its own “history.” We wish this company another century of success!