Peterson: Christmas 2023 Sandblasted (XL02) Fishtail Tobacco Pipe

The "XL02" is, in essence, a fuller-bodied approach to the beloved "03" bent Apple, with added muscularity to the shank and transition. The visual weight of the shank relative to that of the bowl is a hallmark of Peterson's approach to shaping and distinguishes it from what we consider the classic English design of pipemaking. It's a great example of the marque's signature aesthetic — the stout shank and voluptuous bowl blending well with the slender angle of the stem and tight transition.

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.