Castello: Old America 2020 Trademark Hawkbill (Big Line) (09.18) Tobacco Pipe

The Hawkbill is widely regarded as an Italian design, in part because of the popularity of Castello's iconic "84" rendition. Here, that beloved shape is presented in the Italian workshop's Old America 2020 series and boasts massive proportions. Traditionally, Castello has released a limited-edition series in honor of the PCA (previously IPCPR) trade show in Las Vegas; however, this year's expo was unfortunately cancelled in light of COVID-19 restrictions. To replace 2020's release, the Italian workshop crafted 18 Hawkbill designs in a line dubbed "Old America," retaining allusions to the Las Vegas show. Like the workshop's previous PCA pipes, these Hawkbills are exceptionally large and are serialized out of the total 18, with this one stamped as number 9. It's dressed in a dual finish, featuring rustication about the voluptuous bowl while the shank and rim wear a smooth, auburn stain. Further elevating this limited series, each Old America 2020 pipe was crafted from briar that Castello has aged for over 12 years — even longer than the workshop usually cures its briar — as designated by this piece's "Big Line" stamp. This is a beautiful representation of Castello's beloved shaping and finishing style, writ large and offered in a exclusive, highly collectible series.