English Estates: Dunhill Shell Briar (4135) (2018) Tobacco Pipe

This "35" Zulu offering from Dunhill has everything desired in a dress pipe. Featured in a moderate Group 4 size, it's large enough to draw the attention of admiring onlookers, yet not too bulky to be ostentatious or uncomfortable between the teeth. The lithe curve of the shape also lends itself well to clenching — as you're likely to have a drink in hand at whatever formal party you may be attending — as well as imbues the piece with an air of graceful poise. Lastly, it's dressed in a dark sandblast, accented only by a jet black mount, sure to fit in at any black tie event.

The Shell Briar's addition to the Dunhill catalog was a pivotal moment in pipe-smoking 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.