Castello Collection 4K XL Smooth Canadian Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Founded in 1947 by Carlo Scotti, Castello quickly became known for producing some of the finest smoking pipes in the world. Over the years, the people involved in making Castello pipes has changed – such as Luigi Radice and Sergio Ascorti, who developed their skills in the Cantu workshop before leaving to start Caminetto, or the handing of the reigns of the company to Francisco ‘Kino’ Coppo after Scotti’s passing – but the superlative quality of Castello pipes has not. It is not without reason that Castello is known as ‘the Italian Dunhill.’

I have noted before that Italian pipe makers appear to have an especial affinity for extra long, long shank shapes, so much so that it could be considered a national institution, just like pebble-dash rusticated finishes. If you’re familiar with the output of workshops and artisans such as Brebbia, Mastro de Paja, Ser Jacopo, Don Carlos, or Claudio Cavicchi (or indeed many of the names that I have neither space nor time to mention), there’s a strong chance you’ll have seen at least one, extra long rendition of a Canadian, for example, or a Lovat. This Castello is very much in that vein. While the number of “k”s on a smooth Castello typically denote grades within its respective series, in contrast to sandblasted and rusticated Castellos, where this number denotes size, this Castello from the Collection might well have fulfilled the requirements in both cases. Attaining a full four-out-of-four “k”s, it’s a finely grained, larger than average piece, and is sure to satisfy those who like their pipes both big and beautiful. On a separate note, judging by the “k” grading system and lack of a date code, I’d estimate this Castello to have been made between 1982 and 1987.

The condition is fair. Chamber slightly over-reamed, some slight finish discoloration, and a few scratches and scrapes around the bowl.

 

Details:

Length: 7.0″ / 177.8mm

Bowl Width: 1.00 / 25.4mm

Bowl Depth: 1.94″ / 49.27mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 46g