Dunhill: Shell Briar (4127) (2023) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's "27" Acorn shape is one of the brand's most uncommon profiles, though it's one the White Spot crafts with ease, and it's one seen in both bent and straight configurations within the same shape number. This particular example is of the latter variety, with a wide transition giving way to a compressed, ovoid shank and a sleekly tapering stem of black vulcanite. This combination keeps the pipe looking muscular from the smoker's perspective, while the silhouette keeps much of the visual weight focused on the bowl. This bowl flares gently to a high-set waist that denotes a subtle taper to the flat rim, offering a comfortable presence in hand and concealing an appreciable chamber. Dressed in the inky sandblast of the Shell Briar finish, the palette here is serious, and the stummel showcases handsome grain.

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.