Ashton: Sovereign Dublin (XXX) Tobacco Pipe

The Sovereign finish is one which Ashton reserves only for those pipes which display the finest grain the workshop has to offer, making it only appropriate that this straight Dublin has been dressed with the superlative finish. Said stain, in this case, isn't actually a stain, but a smooth, waxed, natural finish that unveils dense striations of flame grain wrapping around the bowl and through the flanks of the shank. This shape is especially well suited to displaying this grain, with the bowl flaring gently from its firm heel and taking on a slight forward cant as it grows upward, the curves of its walls promising a comfortable feel in hand. The wide transition leaves plenty of room for the draping of a digit, and the thick shank that pushes out from it reinforces the muscularity of the tall, broad-rimmed bowl. A jet-black tapered stem keeps the aft looking rather sleek and adds a handsome bit of contrast to the light hues of the stummel.