La Biota Stack Nosewarmer Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

A graduate of Italy’s prestigious Academia della Pipa, Michele Sottocasa has been making pipes for over a decade under the la Biota name. Prior to becoming a pipe-maker, Sottocasa trained and worked as a designer and art director, and la Biota pipes continue this drive towards a distinct aesthetic vision. The name, ‘la Biota,’ originally derives from ecology, and symbolizes the deep connection between humans and nature – a connection well represented by the hand-made tobacco pipe.

This particular la Biota is a pocket-friendly nosewarmer, but one whose stack bowl will nevertheless ensure a long, relaxing smoke. I imagine it would be perfect for trails in the great outdoors – and at a mere 40 grams, it would be a comfortable clencher all the while. As for the design, Sottocasa has chosen to dress this pipe in a quintessentially Italian rustication and a naked briar stain, in a manner not unlike Savinelli’s Punto Oro Corallo or Castello’s Natural Vergin finishes. Unlike Savinelli and Castello, however, this pipe is accented with a shank ring cut from genuine horn.

The condition is excellent. There’s some very slight finish fading on the rim, but nothing else I note.

 

Details:

Length: 4.2″ / 106.6mm

Bowl Width: 0.77 / 19.55mm

Bowl Depth: 1.8″ / 45.72mm

Weight: 1.3oz / 38g