I agree it's definitely a nicotine thing right now! Like I said it's only been a week. I'm sure I'll slow down with time but until I get there it sure would be nice to taste something. I bought the Mac baren seven seas variety pack and they all smell nice but I literally taste nothing.
Yes, well done to you.
When one switches from cigs to a pipe, one goes through a withdrawal period from some of the 300+ added chemicals as well as from the nicotine.
Over ten years ago I switched from 40-a-day after many failed quit attempts.
At first I smoked blends with mild to medium nic levels but now mainly smoke blends with mild Vit N.
Psychologically it was a compromise where I figured that a puff on a pipe was better than nothing.
The pipe still is a placebo. I tend to have several puffs before putting the pipe down so I don't smoke a bowl from start to finish like many/most pipe smokers.
You're going through an adjustment period atm so just persevere. Give it time and your enjoyment will increase with time and experience.
I'm so glad that I switched not only because pipe tobacco tastes way better than cigarettes but because I no longer crave.
Try pipes with smaller bowls [Like a Dr Grabow Duke for e.g.] They don't get as hot as larger bowls when you're puffing fast.