Castello: Pipes from Italy
Italian pipes were considered reliable smoking instruments in a classic style before World War II and in the years that followed. At the time, numerous workshops in northern Italy supplied renowned pipe manufacturers worldwide with pre-turned pipe bowls, stems, and other materials. However, the reputation of Italian pipes was rather modest. Except for a few exceptions like the brand Savinelli, they were known only to a small group of enthusiasts.
Castello Pipes: Perfect Craftsmanship
This changed in 1947 when Carlo Scotti founded the Castello brand. In Cantù, Lombardy, near Como, he began producing pipes with the help of machinery. From the start, Castello’s products stood out from other pipes. They were the first pipes worldwide to feature an acrylic stem. Additionally, Carlo Scotti introduced artistic and deeply textured rustication, which has since become a hallmark of Italian pipes.
Initially, the pipes were popular mainly in Italy. But everything changed when the well-known American retailer Wally Frank discovered Carlo Scotti's workshop. Frank played a crucial role in the brand's development, ensuring that the pipes gained a unique style. While early Castello pipes were heavily influenced by the classic shapes of Dunhill, they evolved over time into a distinctive design. The pipes became increasingly sought after and eventually turned into prized collectibles. By the late 1970s, the workshop was producing over 8,000 pipes annually.
Handcrafting at Every Stage
In 1969, Carlo Scotti’s son-in-law Franco Coppo joined the company. He revised the grading system and transitioned production entirely to pure handcrafting.
To this day, Franco Coppo continues to lead the company, supported by a team of ten employees. Together, they craft pipes and pipe tampers with the utmost precision by hand.
Briarwood: Aged for 10 Years
No pipe book today is complete without recognizing the outstanding quality of Castello. Some collectors even regard Castello as the only true rival to Dunhill. This is primarily due to its exceptional craftsmanship. The briarwood used is aged for at least ten years before being crafted into a pipe. The stems, too, are of the highest quality, handmade from acrylic plates. Every Castello pipe is guaranteed to be free of putty.
