Volkan Calypso Sandblasted Brandy Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

Description

Introducing the Volkan make requires a brief detour into Italian pipe history. Jean-Marie Alberto Paronelli, born in 1914, was one of the ‘fathers’ of Italian artisan pipe-making, a renown he achieved through pipes made under his own name, through designs he contributed to major Italian makes, and through his distribution of other artisan makes, such as the Clairmont pipes made by Tommaso Spanu. When he was old enough, Jean-Marie’s son, Antonio Paronelli, also took on making Paronelli pipes; when Antonio’s son Ariberto came of age, he too took on the Paronelli pipe-making name. But Ariberto wasn’t the only son of Antonio to become a pipe-maker, so his other son, Alberto, created Volkan pipes as a sister make to Paronelli.

There’s a lot to like about this brandy from Alberto Paronelli. It features the kind of lightly yet expertly applied sandblasting common to Italian makes, especially Castello and Il Ceppo, with a great deal of care having been paid to expressing the natural ring grain of the briar. The pipe is also a sitter, which is uncommon for brandy shapes, but it adds an extra layer of functionality to the design. The amber-hued ferrule is another nice touch.

The condition is excellent. Very lightly smoked.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.75 / 19.05mm

Bowl Depth: 1.50″ / 38.10mm

Weight: 2.0oz / 58g