Peterson: Donegal Rocky (268) Fishtail Tobacco Pipe

Though it's not a shape you readily see everyday, Peterson does a fine job of pulling off a lovely Zulu interpretation with their "268" offering. With its subtle bend, forward canted Dublin bowl, and gentle transition, the classic form exudes grace and poise. It's an under-represented shape chart standard that — while traditionally seen from English, French, and Irish marques — seems to have an inherent Danish influence, due, in part, to the lack of hard lines, substituted for a languid bend and easy-curling transition.

Named after County Donegal in northwest Ireland, Peterson's Donegal Rocky series offers one of the Irish firm's most distinctive and immediately recognizable finishes. Much like the mountainous region it's inspired by, the rustication style of the Donegal Rocky line is incredibly craggy and provides plenty of stimulating texture, transforming any pipe that wears it into a rugged workhorse smoker. Peterson's first rusticated finish, the Donegal Rocky dates back to 1945, and is presented here with a bright nickel band offering a touch of refinement against the dark, red-tinged stain of the stummel.