Dunhill: Ring Grain (5112) (2022) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's "12" shape has always been an aptly sized Stack; however, it's been rendered a variety of ways, several of which could be considered on the more atypical side. On occasion, when seen in a standard length, the "12" can feature a "windshield" construction at the bowl's fore, but in the versions where the rim has not been cut away, it's sometimes paired to a Churchwarden stem. In the case of this piece, though, tradition has been followed in all areas, from bowl shape to stem length, making for a striking iteration of the standard Stack.

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.