Dunhill: Ring Grain (4124) (2019) Tobacco Pipe

Even within the same Group size, Dunhill's "24" Foursquare shape can vary in its proportions, the shank and transition differing in their stoutness across iterations. This particular Group 4 piece exudes an especially muscular disposition — the shank marked by bold firmness to draw focus to its paneled shaping. The bowl is likewise paneled, offering the shape's appealing in-hand feel, and it sits upright. There's no wonder why this design has remained a favorite desk pipe for decades, and Dunhill's rendition here is an archetypal rendition. Dressed in the Shell Briar sandblast, its distinctive growth rings have earned it the esteemed "Ring Grain" stamping.

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.