Recent Events There have been many important developments at Savinelli during the past 50 years that are key to its recent success. Here are a few of the most significant. The 1960's The Corallo Finish During the sixties, the Corallo pipes were designed and put into production. These pipes, made with the same process today, are worked on with a special finish called "Corallo-Capri" that renders them particularly light and pleasing to smoke. It is a secret process, still carefully guarded, the pipes being made by only specially trained artisans in a hidden part of the factory-workshop.   The Autograph Pipe This creation of this line has a particular story that exemplifies the creativity and good-heartedness of Achille Savinelli Jr. One of Achille's best and oldest artisans fell ill and was not longer able to work all day in the factory. Achille was obviously distraught and concerned about the man's welfare, and so he set up a system so that the artisan was able to work at home. Achille then sent him briar blocks, the shapes undefined, to carve pipes at home. The artisan didn't dare carve against the grain of the wood since they were blocks of a particular high quality, and was afraid of ruining the wood. So Achille worked with him to design the pipes according to the natural shape of the briar, and together they came up with some of the best pipes ever made. Thus was born the Autograph: pipes made from free, natural shapes and each one unique and singular in every way. The 1970's 100th Year Anniversary The pipe created to mark Savinelli's first centennial was a momentous event. Achille wanted a new product designed specifically with Savinelli's most ardent clients in mind. The result was six exclusive shapes that even today have never been reproduced. They have become true collector's items, impossible to find and cherished by their owners, who have the dubious honour of having to resist smoking them. 1978: The Balsa System In 1978 Savinelli's Research and Development team patented its new Dry System Filter, adding another dimension to the many pleasures of smoking a Savinelli pipe. The Savinelli Balsa System is a filtering system using the natural attributes of balsa wood. It absorbs both moisture and impurities from smoke without the addition of chemical elements, insuring a clean pipe shank. This patented filtering system has been tested both by the EURATOM Research Center of Ispra and by the CHEMICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY Inc. Research Center (USA) with the same results: "..the filter has the ability to absorb 77% of the nicotine and 91% of the tar contained in tobacco without altering the flavour of same". The pipe can be smoked with or without the filter, making it unique in its field. The 1980's 1981: The Mister G Pipe This pipe, designed by Giancarlo Savinelli, has proved to be an extremely popular pipe and is available in various series in the Savinelli pipe collection. The Mister G in no small way revolutionized pipe design all over the world, in a very simple yet whimsical way. Until that time, the only type of material used as a pipe ring was sterling silver. The Mister G was the first example of a pipe made with a brass or briar ring. Needless to say, it has since been copied endlessly as proof of its popularity. Imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, indeed. The 1990's Savinelli Cigars In 1992, forays were made into the world of cigars in order to find which one was most to Giancarlo Savinelli's liking. The Fuente family of the Dominican Republic produced some excellent brands, and since there was already a long history of friendship between the two families, it was only natural for us to ask them to make our cigar. After a one and a half-year wait, we were ready to create the ELR. Working together with the Fuentes, we began our blending and mixing, keeping in mind which were the best raw materials. The wrapper was a very important part of the finished product and the selection of as many as eight different Connecticut wrappers we considered. We decided to use the very top grade Connecticut wrapper that would be available not only the first but also for future years of production, making the cigar's flavour consistent year in year out. The blending started and many attempts were made. There were eight blends tried and tested but blend no° 9 proved to be the exact balance that we were looking for; a blend with great taste and full body. The first difficulty that we encountered was not whether or not the cigar would sell, but choosing which distributors to supply to, as the ELR was immediately much in demand. At that time, it was the only cigar that Fuente was making for another company. Our first rating in Cigar Aficionado was an incredible 91. The cigar today enjoys the same consistency and quality as it did upon our first release. The 120 Years Pipe Created by Giancarlo in 1996, the 120 Years Pipe is particularly innovative for two reasons. The design of the bowl is a highly original seven-sided dome, following the curves of specially selected briar. The briar inlay on the mouthpiece, contrasting with the black ring and ebonite mouthpiece, is another design achievement. It has been seen in the mouths of famous actors and politicians and has enjoyed a truly broad appeal. This elegant and classic design is definitely an important footnote in the history of the pipe. Today At Via Orifice no°2, the Savinelli store is still in the same place and is the same size as it's always been; the commercial and administrative headquarters are less than a block away in Via Dogana no°3, and employs 15 people, including an Export Manager, a Commercial Manager and a Financial Manager. The factory-workshop is situated in the small town of Molina di Barasso, near Lake Varese, and employs approximately 35 artisans. Savinelli also has a sister company in the U.S., Savinelli Pipes Inc., and a world-wide distribution network, which can be found by clicking on the Distributors button below. A Final Word In the production of a fine pipe, the quality of the raw materials is only a part of the equation; constant quality and buying control, a correct ageing process of the wood and good company morale are all crucial factors as well. At Savinelli the briar is aged naturally, not forced by injection of chemicals or other process that would stress the structure of the wood. The ageing often takes at least 2-3 years, sometimes more. Besides the briar quality, close attention to detail, technical knowledge, creativity and manual ability are all equally important. It is a significant note that 90% of the workmanship is still done by hand. Savinelli's line consists of more than 80 basic shapes that, combined with the different finishes and lines, results in an incredible number of potential pipes; definitely the most vast assortment available on the market today. Combined with its sister company and distributors, Savinelli can offers more than 800 items to clients all over the world. Our family heritage of dedication to quality and excellence remains part of our core as we see Savinelli into its second century. We intend to continue to strive to produce the highest quality products and to provide them to our loyal customers, present and future, to whom we are most grateful.