English Estates: Dunhill Shell Briar (5112) (2002) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's "12" shape has always been an aptly sized Stack; however, it's been rendered a variety of ways, several of which could be considered on the more atypical side. On occasion, when seen in a standard length, the "12" can feature a "windshield" construction at the bowl's fore, but in the versions where the rim has not been cut away, it's sometimes paired to a Churchwarden stem. In the Group 5-sized piece we have here, though, tradition has been followed in all areas, from bowl shape to stem length, making for a striking piece in its standard design. This piece from 1993 is presented in the marque's signature Shell sandblast, providing an abundance of crisp texture in hand.

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.