English Estates: Ashton Old Church Poker (XXX) (2017) Tobacco Pipe

William "Bill" Ashton-Taylor began working for Dunhill in 1959 at 15 years old, manning one of the legendary English marque's lathes after a lengthy apprenticeship. During his time at the White Spot, Bill absorbed a wealth of knowledge, coming into his own as a craftsman and marking the start of a lengthy career. After feeling the need to start his own company, Bill left Dunhill and founded Ashton pipes in 1983, going into business for himself and holding his work to extremely strict standards of quality that have earned the Ashton name an excellent reputation.

Bill passed away in 2009, entrusting Ashton's production to Jimmy Craig, his longtime protégé and apprentice. Craig has since maintained the stringent standards of his predecessor, creating pieces with timeless appeal and classic charm. Among England’s foremost workshops, Ashton's success and prestige are thanks in no small part to Craig's craftsmanship and expressive finishes, often pairing stummels to vibrant stems of colorful vulcanite or resin. Whether it’s dressed in a craggy rustication, a crisp sandblast, or a rich, smooth finish, each Ashton pipe promises a high-quality smoke and no shortage of style, with many accented by Craig's elegant silverwork.