Rattray’s Fachen 109 Sandblasted Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, Unsmoked, 9mm

Description

The House of Rattray was originally a tobacconist, opening in Perth, Scotland, in 1903, under the oversight of Charles Rattray. House of Rattray soon became a blending house (whose blends are still sold to this day under the Rattray’s name) and a purveyor of Rattray-brand pipes, made for the tobacconist by established English pipe makers. Over the years, the name changed hands, with contemporary Rattray’s pipes and tobaccos being produced under the umbrella of German’s Kopp company (formerly Kolhase & Kopp). Pipes from this period of manufacture were sourced from major European makers, such as Chacom and Butz-Choquin in France and Brebbia and L’anatra in Italy.

You may be looking at this pipe and wondering if it isn’t a little monstrous, in a manner not unlike the Eldritch Pipes of Chris Kelly. While Rattray’s has collaborated with Eldritch Pipes in the past, the origins of this one’s design are a little further to the north. Coming out of Scottish folklore, the Fachen is an ancient, ogrish creature in Gaelic mythology, said to reside in the West Highlands. One common theme in depictions of the Fachen is an association with pestilence and poor harvests. I’d say this rather gnarly design from Rattray’s captures that spirit quite well.

This pipe is completely unsmoked, with an original bowl coating. It is chambered to allow for the use of 9mm filters if desired.

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.85 / 21.59mm

Bowl Depth: 1.40″ / 35.56mm

Weight: 1.3oz / 38g