English Estates: Dunhill Ring Grain (6101) (2000) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's largest standard size designation, Group 6, presents a bowl and chamber that's on par with most house pipes, here represented in the English marque's "01" straight Apple. As a Group 6, it features an additional sense of robustness in hand and a steady, Brandy-like taper toward the rim, its proportions kept consistent throughout with the thick, round shank continuing the bowl's heartiness. It's a rare occurrence when we receive the "01" in such a large group size and is ideal for any Dunhill collector or those who prefer classic shapes that offer a substantial feel in hand. And thanks to the crisp texture brought out by the Shell Briar sandblast, you'll want this pipe in your hands frequently.

Having earned the English marque's prestigious Ring Grain designation, this Dunhill piece wears a particularly choice iteration of the Shell Briar sandblast — displaying stunning waves of ring grain across the stummel. 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.