Dunhill: Shell Briar (3106) (2020) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's "06" embodies the archetype of the Pot shape in the traditional pipe chart canon. Classically inclined throughout, it's a vertically compressed rendition, with a broad tobacco chamber, thick chamber walls, and, in this example, a robust stretch of shank and stem that keeps the aft in harmonious proportion with the fore. This Group 3 is a handy size, with the aforementioned shank and stem contributing to a well-balanced profile that keeps the feel in hand hearty, but maintains a reasonably light weight. It's seen here dressed in the marque's Shell Briar finish, the stummel covered in a rugged texture and inky stain.

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.