Regarding an abrupt absence of taste + Getting the most out of aromatics

Gentlemen,
Background:

I am relatively new to pipe smoking but have done an immense amount of research on the subject and have been experimenting with very positive results. Friends are very surprised that I've recently taken up the hobby as they've said I look very practiced and natural in my methods (keep up on tamping, limited relights, breath smoking method, etc.) - so I must be doing something right.
I own several pipes and aromatic tobaccos at the moment but have only experimented with two of each. I am partial to Missouri Meerschaum pipes (cheap I know) simply because I have a deep seated fear of breaking the pipe stem on a higher end pipe and having to toss it because replacement stems seem to be extremely difficult to find (especially for estate pipes). The MM stems are cheap and easily ordered from a variety of places so those are what I smoke. I use a hardwood Diplomat and an Ozark Mountain Mini. My pipes are smoked only a couple times a week with only one bowl a sitting so they are definitely being rested.
Problem:

I find it very frustrating that I can't replicate that first bowl of an unsmoked pipe. I notice that every bowl after the first has greatly diminished flavor. With the Sutliff Frosty Mint it was like a rush of delicious cold air (I'm a huge mint fan) and the taste of maybe a peppermint patty or Altoids. With the Russ Monthly Snowdrift the taste was very much like delicious hot cocoa. I've tried cleaning my pipes (whisky, pipe cleaners, reaming, etc.) and have experimented with clearing my palate (ice water + crackers, piece of chocolate, lemon water, garlic stuffed olives, etc.) but I just can't seem to get back the great flavors of that first unsmoked bowl in each pipe. Any suggestions?
Ponderings/Potential solutions?

*Ordered moisture buttons from 4noggins and an airtight glass jar. Maybe a little hydration will do the tobacco some good.

*Ordered a Dr. Tung tongue scraper and some TheraBreath oral rinse to hopefully aid in cleansing the palate. (Was referred to Biotene but the formula has changed and has a bad reputation now)

*Ordered a Zippo pipe lighter. Maybe more consistent heat, improved flame direction, etc. over a regular Bic or Clipper would help?

*Wondering how dryness affects aromatics. My tobacco is stored in the plastic baggies they came in.

*Wondering if I should be preparing the aromatic in some way? Mixing it before packing a bowl, etc.

*Wondering if there is a particular packing method to get the most out of an aromatic?

Gentlemen,
Thank you for replying and for your words of welcome. You've given some great tips and I really appreciate it. :clap:
I wanted to point out that I'm actually using Missouri Meerschaum's hardwood pipes and not their famous cobs (it was another durability concern, haha). I started with a mini Ozark Mountain and I've since upgraded to a hardwood Diplomat which I prefer.
Thank you for the tobacco recommendations. :twisted: I've seen the names "Frog Morton" and "Dunhill Elizabethan Mixture" recommended before with good results. I chose aromatics because I was concerned about, well, the smell. I figured that English blends would be much smokier and in-turn less pleasant for those around me. I'm a discreet smoker and I like that people can't really smell the aromatics on me (or at least not very much). I've read that Lane 1Q is the most popular aromatic in the U.S. and so I've picked up an ounce of that as well as some Lane BCA for sampling. Maybe getting more of a rotation in tobaccos will be helpful.
I'm waiting on my shipment with the air tight jars and the moisture buttons (among other pipe related stuff) and I can only thank you gentlemen for confirming the necessity of my order. I thought it was interesting that the flavors added to the tobacco are simply gone once their gone. In any case, I certainly won't give up. ::