Dunhill: Shell Briar (4233) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

The "33" is Dunhill's take on the classic bent Brandy shape. While most of the English marque's standard shapes remain quite consistent in design, the "33" can vary slightly in its bowl's taper and the heel being either rounded or flattened. This particular example is the most common — the flattened heel offering a Volcano-like dispositon but with notable rounding near the edge for a unique in-between version of the Brandy and Volcano. Presented here in Group 4 size, the bowl is substantial in hand and generous of chamber, and it's dressed in The White Spot's timeless Shell Briar sandblast.

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.