Dunhill: Root Briar Bent Bulldog (DR***) (2023) Tobacco Pipe

One of Dunhill's most prestigious lines, the Root Briar series boasts smooth finishes and typically impressive grain. Even rarer, though, are those given a Dead Root designation, as this bent Bulldog has, denoting exceptionally excellent grain patterns. It's not difficult to see why; below the beadlines just above the transition, flame grain sweeps around the bowl while the entire rim above the beadlines boasts a forest of birdseye. Even rarer than a Dead Root designation is the three-star grade of this piece, making it among the rarest and most refined of Dunhill's offerings.

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.