Castello (2023) “Castello” GG Smooth Lovat (Estate)

In the world of pipes, Italy is famous for its workshops—institutions that operate at a smaller scale to factories, but in which expert artisans work tirelessly to create pipes entirely by hand. Founded in 1947 by Carlo Scotti, Castello is one of the oldest and most renowned of these workshops, and Castello pipes are often spoken of as Italy’s answer to England’s famous Dunhill pipes. Known for its equally high-grade smooth, sandblasted, and rusticated finishes, Castello’s legacy is felt not only in the continued success of the make itself, but also in the various, similarly high-end workshops founded by former Castello craftsmen, such as Caminetto, Radice, and Ascorti.

One of my favorite developments in Castello’s recent history has been a branching out, by the workshop, into new finishes and other design elements, such as accents and mouthpiece materials. The way Castello has pursued this has, for the most part, not been to establish wholly new lines, but to incorporate novel aesthetics into already established ones. Contrast finishes, for example, have become a notable addition to Castello’s portfolio, and while they aren’t nearly as common as Castello’s light smooth designs, their periodic appearance is always welcome.

This “Castello” grade, for example, wears a deep, golden contrast stain that has its natural flame grain patterns whirl around the bowl in a manner even more evocative of their namesake. I’d assume that the finish in question was chosen for this pipe because of the especially good briar used to make it, and which allowed for an oversized, unusually long take on the classic Lovat shape.

The condition is good. Some inner rim charring and minor handling marks.

Details:

Length: 6.6″ / 167.6mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.66″ / 42.16mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 46g