Castello: Old America 2022 Collection Fiammata Freehand (01.20) Tobacco Pipe

Originally released in 2020, Castello's Old America series is a limited-edition run of pipes whose first iteration was 18 oversized Hawkbills. This release took the place of their annual series for the PCA trade show, formerly the IPCPR show, in Las Vegas, as the onset of COVID-19 made in-person meetings impossible. For 2022, the pipe selected was a massive straight Billiard which was presented across a variety of finishes, including several pieces that showcased fluting channels across the surface of the stummel. This 2022 series entry, however, is an extremely unique Freehand piece that stands out as the sole example like it across all 20 pipes made for 2022's release.

When I describe this pipe as massive, that is no understatement, as it reaches nearly 7 inches long and holds a bowl of over three and a half inches tall, all while boasting an incredible thickness throughout. The shank and stem comprise a consistent taper from the wide transition to the button, the underside kept flat while the top rises fairly high, creating a half-oval shape that keeps things slightly more interesting through the aft side. The heel here is also flattened, before flaring out to a ridge which encircles the edge of the flare and outlines the transition, marking an almost immediate taper to the lower part of the bowl, a small shelf of briar lifting out of the tapered area with a quavering outline that adds further detail and intrigue to the composition. From here, the bowl rises with a gentle flare to a mid-set waist before tapering to the plateau-crowned rim, overlooking a cavernous chamber that boasts over three inches of depth and over an inch of breadth, the thick walls ensuring a comfortable, lengthy smoke. Numbered one out of 20.