English Estates: Dunhill Shell Briar (5120) (2017) Tobacco Pipe

Offered here is Dunhill's sturdy "20" Cherrywood. Essentially a Poker with a touch of bend, the Cherrywood boasts solid sitting capabilities but with the weight distribution of a bent pipe — not to mention that the slight downward turn, combined with the inflated rim, softens the profile a touch compared with the stoic, stout-walled, Group 5 bowl up front. The stummel here is dressed in the iconic Shell Briar sandblast, revealing handsome striations of both flame gain and growth rings across the bowl, while the smooth rim adds a touch of contrast.

The Shell Briar's addition to the Dunhill catalog was a pivotal moment in pipesmoking history. Before 1917, pipes with sandblasted finishes had never been made, and Alfred Dunhill's innovative mind created arguably the most popular finish for pipes today when he unveiled the Shell Briar. With its dark, reserved color palette and delightful texture, it's no surprise that it's still wildly popular over a century later.