Castello "Castello" RTDA 2007 Houston (08/20) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Every year, Castello creates a highly limited edition series pipe for the annual IPCPR (formerly RTDA) tobacconist's show. Within my recollection, the total produced has never varied from 20, the grades drawn from tend to be either the Trademark or Castello, and (to Castello's infinite credit) the underlying concepts and executions involved in the creation of each series are as marvelous as they are varied. We became Castello retailers too late in the game to have had a shot at this one. Pity, that. For this is one of the most impressive creations that I have ever encountered from the venerable Cantu firm. Numbered 08/20, and sporting a mass of well over 200 grams (think Ardor Giant territory), this "pipe & stand, as one" features both an uncannily perfect spiraling of the bowl, as well as a grain that I would normally associate with a lower Collection Grade. This once-in-a-lifetime Castello collectible is unsmoked, and comes with its original glove and presentation box. If you find yourself impressed based on the photos, I can assure you that impact is negligible, compared to sitting on your desk.

--Bear Graves