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They’re here – the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day pipes! Actually, they’ve been around for quite a while. I don’t hear from him anymore, but one of Conor Palmer’s initiatives at Peterson has been to get the annual collectibles like the St. Pat, the Christmas, and the Limited Edition – Pipe of the Year out much earlier than has been the case in the past. When I talked to Tony Whelan at the factory a few weeks ago, he said they’d finished up with the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day pipes quite awhile ago. For those who follow IPCPR news, Conor had them on display last June at the show.

Shape 01 (all pipe photos courtesy Tobaccopipes.com)

In any event, they’ve only been rolling out on the internet in the past few weeks, and in a serendipitous conversation with Renia Carsillo of Tobaccopipes.com (where the pipes are already available), she offered me the use of their amazing photographs of the new series of twelve pipes.

Shape XL02 (Yup, Benedict Cumberbatch’s)

This year there’s a special treat, the “Tank L” or Large Tank or whatever you want to call the poker shape that was released as part of the Mark Twain 2010 set. I like this version’s slightly-bent mouthpiece better than the original’s straight.

Shape Tank L

If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you’ll remember me saying that Peterson’s special collection shapes trickle down over time from their original release to the annual collectible lines before they disappear. This is always an exciting time if there are favorite shapes, because once the raw material is gone, the shape will normally disappear from the catalog. I picked up really nice renditions of the B35 Kaffir from the 2009 Antique Collection in its 2013 smooth and 2014 rusticated Christmas releases.

Shape 05

This year’s St. Patrick’s Day pipe features a new dark amber with brown contrast matte stain that makes the grain really pop. From a look inside the mortise, it appears the pipes were dip-stained, which should make for a much tastier break-in period. The shank’s trim band is nickel with orange acrylic, the first time this has been done since the beautiful tri-color from the original issue in 1998. The stem—huzzah!—is vulcanite for a very comfortable change, with a hot foil P.

Shape 68

Interestingly, and maybe the harbinger of things to come, while the series is laser-stamped ST. PATRICK’S DAY over a smaller 2016, there is no shape number stamp and no PETERSON’S or PETERSON’S OF DUBLIN stamp. I know they haven’t put shape numbers on the high-grade Craftsman line, but I’m surprised to find the omission here.

As usual, the St. Patrick’s Day comes in a collectible sleeve. Hold onto that ephemera, Peterson collectors!

Shape 105

Shape 106

Shape 221

Shape 408

Shape 606

Shape 999

Shape B10

I think the trick with any Peterson shape is to find it with a grain pattern or finish that will keep you picking it up and smoking it. When I was looking for one of the new St. Patrick’s Day Tank Ls I had a really unpleasant conversation with an extremely well-known east coast retailer / e-tailer when I asked him (over the phone) to help me pick out one with good birdseye or straightish grain.  After he got done with his Peterson slugs, I almost asked him why he sells the marque if he detests it so much. Then I remembered there’s always going to be Peteophobics out there to slam Peterson, for as long as long as I’ve been smoking one, which is amazingly unjustified once you have an understanding of what Peterson is offering and how they make it, or even the slightest inclination to compare like-to-like.

My advice is to call, email or set up a chat with Renia Carsillo or anyone at Tobaccopipes.com. They’ve got several in each shape and will be happy to make photos of the available pipes in the shape you’re looking for.

Price: about $100.00