Dunhill: Shell Briar Zodiac 'Year of the Tiger 2022' (4114) (162/218) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's Zodiac series has been running since 2011, with each iteration celebrating a member of the Chinese Zodiac, with this 2022 edition being the tiger, the third in the sequence. Representing the tiger here is this "14" bent Dublin, a sinuous and timeless profile with a sweeping curvature about it that urges the bowl forward and poises this piece for comfortable smoking. The shank is trim and neatly upturned, giving the stummel a tightly knit transition, though its robust Group 4 size ensures that there is enough room to drape a thumb. At the shank end, we see a broad band of silver which is engraved with the profile of the majestic feline this pipe is named after, contrasting beautifully with the jet-black sandblast of the Shell Briar sandblast, creating a Dress-like aesthetic that is sure to impress.

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.