Irish Estates: Peterson Christmas 2023 Sandblasted (106) (Fishtail) Tobacco Pipe

Peterson features several straight Billiards on their shape chart, such as the "06," "X105," and "106," and each vary slightly in regards to overall size and relative proportions, catering to smokers' preferences in chamber size, weight, and length. The "106," seen here, is one of the Irish marque's larger renditions — a touch taller and longer than both the "06" and "X105." It also exemplifies Peterson's hearty sense of proportions through the shank and transition, perfect for those who enjoy substantial briars and muscular iterations of classic shapes.

Peterson's Christmas Pipes have been an annual tradition since 2009, the Irish marque dressing a selection of their iconic shapes in appropriately festive fashion. In recent years, Peterson has accented this series with copper, though for 2023, they showcase the skill of their silversmiths by accenting the pipes with broad bands of intricately etched silver. These silver bands feature inset beadlines around the Peterson logo and provide a wealth of contrast against the stummel's finish. In addition to the fine display of silverwork, these pipes exhibit Peterson's talent in the blasting cabinet by dressing the stummel in a craggy sandblast that's been stained a deep, rich red: evocative of some of the earliest sandblasts to appear in the pipe world. What results is a finish that is utterly timeless, reminiscent of pipes crafted in the early 20th century and embodying an elegant character that's endlessly charming.