Peterson: Churchwarden Smooth Prince Fishtail Tobacco Pipe

Similar to Peterson's "406," this is a definitive take on the classic Prince shape. The bowl is squat and plump, with perhaps some extra heft to its base, per Peterson's signature shaping style. Tthe shank and transition, though, are decidedly trimmer, catering more to traditional Anglo-French proportions than the robust, muscular aesthetic seen throughout the Irish marque's portfolio — similar to the design cues employed in Peterson's Specialty Tankard, Barrel, Calabash, and Belgique designs.

Peterson first introduced Churchwarden pipes in 1945, the long, willowy profiles inherently forgoing the muscular aesthetic that has come to define the Irish marque's approach to pipe design. Such length is much more suited to extended, relaxing smoking sessions, however, the stem allowing for minimal movement while smoking in an armchair. It's for this reason that Churchwardens are often preferred while reading, the Germans going so far as to translate "Churchwarden" as Lesepfeife, which literally means "reading pipe." Slender and lightweight, Peterson's Churchwardens may not be convenient pocket pipes, but they more than make up for it in the comfortable smoking posture they promote — with this particular one dressed in a conservative, auburn stain, similar to the smooth, traditional finish of Peterson's Aran line, and accented with a regal nickel band.