Pipe ghosting, should i be too worried??

The beautiful thing about cobs is they don't ghost, or at least not very well. Smoke whatever you want in the cob, you'll be fine.
When it comes to ghosting (briers) this is a personal preference if you ask me. I think with enough time you'll start detecting the ghosted tobacco in your pipe as you gain more and more experience. If it isn't going to bother you then go for it.
Otherwise, if you want to really enjoy the subtleties of your blends try to build up a small collection of pipes to avoid mixing blends.

Welcome to the forums jules, you've come to the right place to explore your new hobby!

As you'll soon discover from spending a little time on the forums, there's really no way to stop yourself from amassing quantities of pipes and tobaccos now. :wink: So consider that in the equation.

As for ghosting, a lot depends on your smoking style. As jaxz says cobs don't ghost considerably--they "breathe" a lot more than a briar pipe, and in the worst case scenario are easily replaced.

There are a number of threads and articles on the site regarding ghosting of briars and dedicating pipes to particular tobaccos, genres, or not at all, and you'll see that it's largely a matter of personal preference; there's really no one right answer. I will however take a guess that you're asking in regards to developing your sense of taste about smoking the pipe, in which case I would recommend that you do dedicate to genres, at least to begin with, in order to allow your head and your taste buds to grow accustomed to the experience. Genre dedication is reserving a pipe for a particular type of tobacco--one for heavily cased aromatics, one for english mixtures, one for heavy cigar flavors, etc. This way you'll minimize the intrusion on any flavors from tobacco to tobacco. Also get in the habit of a daily cleaning for any pipe you smoke--not an overhaul, just a quick run of a pipe cleaner through the stem and a wipe of the bowl. In time your personal style will evolve around what feels and tastes right to you.

While I have never smoked Clan...I can testify to your good taste in Scotch as Oban is one fine whiskey!

Hi Julesholling. I am also in the UK. Clan is not a very nice tobacco. ( I am being polite here ) Of course, that's only my opinion...
If you're new to pipe smoking then might I suggest Erinmore Mixture? It's got a mild/medium strength and has a good flavour so it wont blow your head off. In myopinion, and excellent starter blend. Most Tesco's stock this blend, and for an OTC it's not bad.
P.S. Don't buy the Erinmore flake , as it's a different beast entirely, and perhaps a tad too strong to begin with.

Welcome to the forums Jules. Cobs are very forgiving. Briars on the other hand can be fussy. I have never tried Clan but have yet to hear any good reviews of it. I agree on the Erinmore Mixture. It is nice and fairly light. I prefer the flake myself but I have smoked a pipe for over 40 years and also like the G&H black twist a lot.

The way I look at everything related to pipe smoking can be summed up in two sentences: Don't worry, load up and light a bowl of a good baccy. Nothing matters beyond doing that.

Arthur, you are a mean old man! Suggesting black twist to a new pipe smoker indeed. Three puffs and he won't be able to find his backside with his hands in his hip pockets. :lol:

Ya, right... Black Twist would kick my butt too! :twisted:

Well I like it a lot!LOL! :twisted: