Castello: Pipes from Italy
Italian pipes were known before and after World War II as reliable smoking instruments of classic design. Additionally, many workshops in northern Italy supplied pre-turned pipe bowls, mouthpieces, and other materials to renowned pipe manufacturers worldwide. However, Italian pipes lacked prestige. They were not considered high-end products, and aside from Savinelli, most pipe enthusiasts were unaware of Italian brands.
Castello Pipes: Craftsmanship in Perfection
This changed in 1947 when Carlo Scotti founded the company Castello. From then on, pipes were produced in the Lombard town of Cantù, near Como, with the aid of machinery. From the very beginning, they were significantly different from all other pipes of that time. Castello was the first pipe manufacturer in the world to use acrylic mouthpieces. Moreover, Carlo Scotti introduced the artistic and deep rustication, now a hallmark of Italian pipes.
The pipes were initially popular only among Italian aficionados. But then, the renowned American retailer Wally Frank stumbled upon Carlo Scotti’s workshop. Frank had a significant influence on the brand, steering the design of the pipes towards a distinctive style. While early Castello pipes closely followed Dunhill shapes, over time, an independent design emerged. Castello pipes gradually became coveted collector’s items. By the late 1970s, over 8,000 pipes were being produced annually.
Exclusively Handmade
In 1969, Scotti's son-in-law Franco Coppo joined the company. He not only revamped the grading system but also transitioned the production entirely to handcrafted methods.
Franco Coppo still leads the company today, while a team of ten employees continues to craft pipes and pipe tampers exclusively by hand.
Aged at Least 10 Years: Castello Briarwood Pipes
Nowadays, no pipe book seems complete without praising Castello’s outstanding quality. Many collectors consider Castello to be the only true competitor to Dunhill. This reputation is well-earned. The briarwood used for Castello pipes is aged for at least ten years before being crafted into pipes. Great care is also given to the crafting of the mouthpieces, which are hand-carved from acrylic plates. All Castello pipes are free of putty.
