I've had new Petes lately and there's no stain in the shank. Bowl only.Peterson dip stains their pipes, often leaving stain in the shank, or at least they used to, and I always felt their stain to be of lesser quality to begin with. I haven’t bought one in years, so maybe things have changed, but stain can smell. I’m taking a wild stab, but it would be my guess.
I usually wipe it out but forgot to just this wknd with a new one and I didn't even taste it.