Dunhill: Ring Grain (4109) (2023) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's renditions of classic shapes are always true to form, as their commitment to tradition begins with their founding in 1907. The Canadian is a shape ripe for renditions by the English marque and this particular pipe is a wonderful example. Presented in Group 4 size, this "09" Canadian is a rugged, straightforward piece that offers a practical smoking experience with a distinguished rustic aesthetic. The Shell Briar finish dresses the long, ovoid shank and tall, straight bowl with a handsome, inky sandblast, one that reveals handsome grain throughout: grain good enough to have earned this pipe the vaunted Ring Grain designation.

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.