Ashton

William "Ashton" Taylor began his career in pipe making at the tender age of 15 when he completed an apprenticeship with the renowned Dunhill Company in London. There he learned the secrets of pipe making from the masters at Dunhill over the years. In the 80's he finally founded his own company under the name Ashton.

Ashton pipes are characterized by their classic, English and elegant style. Not only are they beautiful on the outside, but they are also of high quality on the inside. A special treatment of the briar wood, known as oil curing, gives Ashton pipes a particularly good taste. The stems are made of a unique material that combines the pleasant softness of ebonite with the easy-care of acrylic. This material has come to be known as "Ashtonite" by smokers over time.

Both the oil curing and the Ashtonite are still well-kept secrets from the Ashton company. William Taylor passed Ashton's traditions, techniques and skills on to Jimmy Craig. Even after William's death in 2009, Ashton's production continued seamlessly. The Ashton brand thus remains a symbol for first-class pipes and the continuation of a long tradition in pipe making.