Ashton Rodate

William “Ashton” Taylor worked for Dunhill for twenty-five years, having started his apprenticeship as a pipe maker there at the age of fifteen. In 1983, he took the plunge and set up his own business, and since then his pipes have found admirers all over the world. Billy, as his friends call him, has retained the classic style he learnt at Dunhill. At first, he had no stock of seasoned, well-dried briar. He therefore had to find another solution to remove the tannin from the ‘young’ wood. To this end, the bowls of his pipes are now hardened in boiling oil, which gives them excellent performance and prevents the bitter taste typical of fresh briar. The mouthpieces are made from a blend he invented (Ashtonite), which makes them pleasant to hold in the mouth, softer than methacrylate, but without the unpleasant effect of discolouration. The most popular finish is the “Pebble Grain” in red and black, sandblasted twice, which gives a beautiful feel to the touch, unique in its kind. William Taylor passed away in 2009 and Ashton continues its story with Jimmy Craig, formerly a craftsman and collaborator of Taylor’s, following the principles and traditions that have made Ashton great and appreciated all over the world.