Dunhill: Ring Grain (2101) (2020) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's classically English approach to pipe making is on full display in this archetypal Apple. It's pert, plump bowl rests on a rounded heel at the fore of a perfectly balanced round shank and tapered vulcanite stem. The supple curves of the bowl lend this lighter, Group 2-sized "01" shape a reassuring presence in hand, while remaining light enough to clench with ease. Dressed in Dunhill's crisp Shell Briar sandblast, the stummel offers plenty of texture for the fingers to explore.

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.