Castello: Old America 2020 Collection Occhio di Pernice Hawkbill (Big Line) (02.18) Tobacco Pipe

While the annual International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) show, now called the Premium Cigar Association show, was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, Castello still crafted a limited-edition line for the year. Dubbed the Old America series, the shape Castello chose to represent the special line is a bold, massive Hawkbill that effortlessly fills the palm with its substantial proportions and aligns with their beloved "84" design. The Hawkbill is one of the most iconic shapes in all of pipe making and is a design Castello helped make famous, with the curved droop of the shank-and-stem combination accentuating the plumpness and implied forward momentum of the bowl.

Presented in a variety of finishes, this particular example is quite notable as it earned Castello's esteemed Occhio di Pernice designation, an appellation reserved for pipes that display exemplary birdseye. The cross-cut pattern on this piece is beautifully showcased by a light, honey-blonde stain that ably illuminates the subtleties of the briar's grain.

Further distinguishing this stellar piece is that it's also a part of the Italian workshop's Big Line. Though Castello ages all of their briar for several years, the briar used to make Big Line pipes is cured for 12 years. That extra-aged briar was put to good use for this piece and while Castello pipes are frequently heralded for their excellent smoking properties, I can only imagine how well this distinctive piece will perform. At the base of the abbreviated, tapered stem you'll find Castello's older logo — an eye-catching rhinestone, which the Italian workshop still occasionally features on new pipes. Only 18 pieces were made for the Old America series, with this particular piece serialized as number 2. Whether you're a devoted Castello collector or appreciate superlative, Italian-made smoking instruments, this is a composition that demands consideration.