Castello “Castello” 4K Smooth Nosewarmer 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.’

Though most Castello pipes are not stamped with a shape number, they are often recognizable, and this one most certainly is. In fact, it’s one of the few Castello shapes that not only has a number (at least, within Castello’s workshop production system), but also a name. That name is the Brucianaso, a very fitting one since it is Italian for “nose burner.” Of course, in the Anglophone world, we use the slightly less dramatic term “nosewarmer,” but the sense is much the same. The Brucianaso is the stubbiest design in Castello’s typical output, with this one coming in at just around 4 and a half inches. The pipe is a “Castello” grade, the make’s signature blonde smooth finish, with a sub-grade of a full 4 out of a possible 4 “k”s for its excellent straight grain. Interestingly, this Brucianaso rendition is a little different to most others, incorporating extra contours around the bowl, in an almost “stony” manner.

The condition is very good. Some rim darkening and chamber slightly over-reamed, though nothing major. The pipe comes with its original box and sleeve.

Details:

Length: 4.5″ / 114.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.87 / 22.09mm

Bowl Depth: 1.48″ / 37.59mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 48g