Briar Patch - Pipe Gallery

The Briar Patch carries the finest pipes available today from England, Italy, Denmark, France, Japan and the United States. If you receive a pipe from us that is not up to your expectations, you can return it within 10 days for a full credit, less shipping, toward another pipe or for refund. Returned pipes must not have been smoked and must be received in salable condition.

In the early 1980’s, Salvatore Amorelli began his pipe-making career. Apprenticed by three younger carvers, Amorelli set up his workshop in Caltanissetta, a small village in central Sicily. Noted for his creativity, Amorelli has carved unique pipes for former President Bill Clinton, and Pope John-Paul II.

Amorelli uses either a Sicilian, Calabrian, or Aeolian Island briar, hand selected, and open-air seasoned for at least 5 years. The trademark logo of an Amorelli pipe is the 18 carat gold finger, inlaid halfway on the briar, and halfway on the stem. These align to show the bit’s correct position. The quality of the briar and grain is indicated by a 1 through 5 rating system stamped on the bottom of each pipe.

Current production is about 4000 pipes per year, in one of six lines. These lines are Busbee, Frac, Nail, Ghibli, the Lyra and Fish Tail, describing the aesthetic style of the pipe, not the quality. Each pipe is named after a region or landmark in Sicily (i.e. Cefalu, Monreale, Agrigento…). These pipes are well recognized for their cool, beautiful smoke, while maintaining a surprisingly low price.