Dunhill: Root Briar Billiard (DR****) (2020) Tobacco Pipe

It's extremely rare to see Dunhill's Dead Root stamp, as it's reserved for Root Briar-finished pipes that showcase exceptionally noteworthy grain. It's even rarer to find a Dead Root stamp with more than one star, but this particular Billiard boasts four, denoting the truly extraordinary grain on display here. Intermingling flicks of straight and flame grain ascend from the heel of the bowl and terminate at the broad rim, which itself is awash in whorls of dazzling birdseye. Dressed in the warm, sunny hues of the Root Briar finish, this piece is a handsome bit of English craftsmanship, one that should certainly be on any Dunhill collector's radar.

Dunhill's "DR" designation on certain Root Briars signifies a special class of pipes: Dead Root. Like all Root Briars, these pieces maintain flawless briar, but with especially choice grain on display. Before the Root Briar line's introduction in 1931, "DR" was stamped on Bruyere pipes that showed handsome grain, but Dunhill wanted a more grain-defining finish, leading to the creation of the Root Briar. Starting in 1979, The White Spot extended the grade further — replacing the letter grading system with stars, increasing in prestige from one to seven. A Dead Root pipe represents the best of Dunhill's standard selection, yet remains quite rare compared to the English marque's overall lineup.