as a pipemaker, but it continues the Danish carver's limited edition Pipe of the Year series. For 2019's defining shape, Poul has crafted a muscular, robust take on the classic Cherrywood. It sits stably on flat surfaces with the bowl exhibiting a strong degree of forward cant thanks to the angled base underneath. A series of eight panels surround the bowl, complementing the crisp rustication that covers the stummel to deliver a pipe that offers no shortage of intriguing texture to enjoy in hand. The broad, gently inflated rim has been left smooth to provide a hint of contrast, displaying pin pricks of birdseye underneath a smoky, walnut contrast stain. It's then all topped off with a gorgeous band of sterling silver, contrasting brilliantly against the stummel's glossy, jet-black stain.