Dunhill: Ring Grain with Silver (4111) (2022) Tobacco Pipe

Rendered in slightly more robust Group 4 size, this "11" Lovat from Dunhill pairs the rather muscular, gently tapered and bevel-rimmed bowl with a more slender shank and abbreviated saddle stem. A fine Sitter thanks to its flattened underside, its certainly an elegant presentation. It's part of a special release from the English marque, pairing the dark Shell Briar sandblast with a bright silver accent and cumberland stem rather than the more traditional dark mouthpiece. Moreover, the smooth ruby rim pairs quite handsomely with the tones of the mouthpiece, while the finish shows off some choice grain.

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.