Peterson: Christmas 2023 Sandblasted (X220) Fishtail Tobacco Pipe

The "X220" bent Billiard features some of Peterson's classic shaping cues, such as a thick shank and hearty proportions, but it substitutes a bowl that tapers subtly toward the rim in place of one marked by the Irish marque's conventionally upright and tubular aesthetic. It's a considerably robust, full-bodied take on the timeless form and is among the largest of Peterson's bent Billiard renditions. That said, while the bold shaping results in a handful of briar, such boldness and substance is balanced out by a generously bent shank-and-stem combination.

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.