Root Briar Pot (DR***) (2019) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's Dead Root designation is reserved for Root Briar pipes that exhibit truly exceptional grain, far surpassing the marque's usual — already high — standards. Such pieces are exceedingly rare, making them especially coveted among collectors. This Pot is every bit worthy of that distinction and of the prestigious star stamps it bears. Striking swaths of flame grain wrap elegantly around the bowl's tall frame, while dense birdseye enlivens the rim and underside. The bowl sits stoically at the fore of the composition, while the shank end features a mount of black vulcanite that flares out elegantly to strike a pleasing balance with the bowl's robust proportions. Moreover, the jet-black of the mount and stem make for a sleek uniformity out back that handsomely complements the warm stain of the Root Briar finish.

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.