Bite? Sour? Question from a new pipe smoker and a bad taste.

[Mister Moo]

You're not the only one (even if your pipe is clean). I am totally not anti-drugstore burley but one day it started giving me an on-and-off ashes kind of taste; I quit smoking it a year or two back. Carter Hall was less problem and Prince Albert was the worst. Yo - loved by millions, just not me anymore.

Change burley brands.

[Alligator Gar]

Could be tar buildup. Moisten a cleaner in alcohol (I use reagent grade isopropyl) and run it through. Take the pipe apart, double the cleaner and twist it into the shank and stem. If it comes out black, run dry ones until they come out clean. Put back together and allow to dry. Pipe will smoke sweet again.