Castello “Castello” G Smooth Bulldog Straight Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

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.

Like many Italian workshops of its generation, Castello uses the “G” designation for the first rung of its oversize pipes. As such, this shape 54—normally one of their squat bulldog shapes—is even stouter than its more typical iterations. The pipe wears Castello’s signature “Castello” finish, a virgin blonde stain in the Italian mold, allowing for a clear expression of its excellent grain patterns.

The condition is great. Minor inner rim darkening and slight handling marks.

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.87 / 22.09mm

Bowl Depth: 1.77″ / 44.95mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 66g