Dunhill: Root Briar Bent Billiard (DR*) (2022) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's Dead Root designation is reserved for Root Briar-finished pipes that display exceptionally noteworthy grain patterns and are extremely rare compared to the marque's normal fare, making them highly collectible and desirable. This bent Billiard from the legendary marque is certainly deserving of that distinction and the prestigious star stamp it received since there's no shortage of breathtaking grain here. Streaks of vertical grain dance around the bowl while birdseye populates the rim and heel, visible growth rings rippling across the surface of the left flank. Deeply bent, with a high-kicking shank and well bent stem, this pipe displays a wealth of verticality and promises excellent jaw-hanging.

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.