Hey Sparky,
Keep in mind it takes a few bowls to get a good char in a cob but then it settles down to where you taste the tobacco and not the cob.I myself like Captain Black original,but you would need to let it dry about twenty minutes.It is kind of a gooper.When you tamp go around the edges and let the tamper do the work,don't press down.The weight of the tamper should be plenty to keep the ember down.When you draw on the pipe keep it small light puffs,you will be able to taste the flavors without a steam jet burning your tongue.