Castello Natural Vergin G Bent Billiard 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.’

Like Dunhill’s Tanshell and Savinelli’s Punto Oro Corallo, the Natural Vergin line from Castello is one that uses superior briar and a very minimal, natural stain. As a result, over time and as they’re smoked, these pipes develop a warm, brown-sugar patina, almost like meerschaum. The key difference with the Castello version is that it features the same basic rustication as the workshop’s renowned Sea Rock Briar and Old Sea Rock finishes, sans their respective stains. This particular Natural Vergin is rendered in Castello’s shape 66 bent billiard, a distinctly stout, diamond shank reinterpretation of the traditional staple.

The condition is great. Some very minor wear to the rim.

 

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.85 / 21.59mm

Bowl Depth: 1.77″ / 44.95mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 68g