Yeah, like most said, it depends... Overall I prefer smooth “flame” grain in bright colours and contrast, at least for the look. But sandblast and rusticated can also be very nice too, depends on the pipe. I think it’s easier for the makers to produce sandblast, rusticated, in most cases.
I love well-executed deep blasts, but only less than 10% of my pipes are blasts. I have 3 rusticated pipes, one of which is a Castello sea rock from the '70s. I just love handling that pipe because of the fabulous rustication.
I have some very beautiful artisan made smooth pipes, with gorgeous grain that I love, and I have some blasts with some gorgeous grain and textures that I love. AND, I have some rusticated pipes that are shoved into the back of a drawer because I would not be caught dead smoking those abominations in public. Yeh, I know... I'll see myself out the back door.
I preferred rusticated, which are more utilitarian. They feel better in the hand, stays cooler, or at least it seems that way, and conceals imperfections, scratches, etc., better. My smooth pipes are more show than go, but sure do look purdy ?