What blends have you been smoking? It could be an additive that irritates you, like a flavoring or PG. In any event, straight Virginias should work -- assuming that Burley leaf per se is the culprit.
That sounds like the ideal combination. I think even pressed meerschaum with the leather cover, or meerschaum lined briars would be fine. My choice for tobacco outdoors would be folded flake, to slow the burn rate in the wind.