Rua Spigot (CP) (701) P-Lip Tobacco Pipe

In Peterson's 1945 catalog, the Irish marque introduced four Speciality shapes: the Barrel, Tankard, Calabash, and Belgique. The line trades Peterson's conventional shaping cues for a slender, petite disposition, a stark contrast to the robust, muscular aesthetic that dominates the Irish firm's portfolio. These are the smallest, most lightweight designs Peterson has to offer, and they've been popular favorites over the past 70+ years, with many pipe smokers devoting them to flake tobaccos. Originally, the Tankard, presented here, forwent a usual, numbered shape designation, but in 2021, the svelte and streamlined take on the sure-sitting Poker became known as the "701" on Peterson's shape chart.

Inspired by the madra rua, "red fox," of traditional Irish tales, Peterson's Rua finish is a crimson-and-black, contrast-stained sandblast. Not only is it the first of its kind from the Irish marque, it's also among the first from any pipe factory, with contrast stains almost exclusively seen across handmade artisan pipes. A contrast finish incorporates two different stain colors, and the labor-intensive, time-consuming process involves staining a pipe one color, sanding down or sandblasting the stummel, and then applying the second stain, with adequate time spent in between to allow each stain to fully settle into the briar. The result is a rich, two-toned motif that simultaneously reveals the briar's grain while also providing an intriguing, dramatic contrast between the two separate stains. Moreover, this Rua Spigot pipe is elevated by the Charles Peterson Collection designation: Indicated by a "CP" stamp, Charles Peterson Collection pipes are special, small-run releases that highlight innovation in design and technique to honor Charles Peterson's pioneering spirit and influence on pipe making at large. These Rua Spigot pipes capture an unparalleled aesthetic across the marque's portfolio, bespeaking a deep commitment to quality craftsmanship. They're amplified further by sterling silver spigot mounts, combining traditional Peterson shaping and silverwork with modern finishing techniques to enhance the marque's historic pipe-making legacy.