I heard somewhere that sometimes you have to take new cartos and "blow them out" with some clear alcohol (vodka, etc) to wash the coil and other junk in there. Air dry or carefully dry burn to dry, fill and puff a few times without inhaling to break it in. I'm new too, and my Vivi Nova was tasting pretty rank until I blew it out and short puffed it. After about 15 puffs it began to taste better.