Charles Rattrays Monarch Black 15 Briar Pipe

• Overall Length: 128mm
• Overall Height: 95mm
• Bowl Height: 57mm
• Bowl Diameter: 43mm
• Bore: 21mm
• Weight: 76g
• Filter: 9mm
• Cloth pipe bag included

The Charles Rattray’s Monarch Black 15 is a delightfully curved bent Calabash, draped in a dignified matte black finish that lends it both mystery and refinement. While the calabash shape is often associated with dramatic swoops and Sherlock Holmes, the 15 keeps things trim and practical — just enough bend to be comfortable, just enough bowl to be serious.

The matte black finish brings out the quiet geometry of the pipe, soft to the eye and pleasant in the hand. There’s no gloss here, just a velvety surface that lets the bright yellow acrylic stem take centre stage. That contrast — yellow on black with a nickel mount in between — gives the piece a visual snap without veering into flashiness.

The bowl is deep enough for a contemplative smoke, yet the overall profile remains compact — perfect for slipping into a breast pocket or drawing from a pouch on a long walk. And with the 9mm filter option, you’ve the choice of a cooler, cleaner smoke without fiddling with inserts or adapters.

The Calabash, historically crafted from the dried gourd and made famous by Victorian-era sleuths, was once the domain of theatrical gentlemen and parlour philosophers. These days, Rattray’s offers the same grace in briar, shaped with care and produced in Germany under their enduring Scottish heritage.

Like the best of the Monarch range, the 15 is meant to be smoked often and admired daily. For those who appreciate tradition but favour clean, modern finishes, it’s a handsome union of old and new.