I started not that long ago myself on standard atomizers, but have quickly moved on to drippers and tank RBA's with mech mods etc as I enjoy the tinkering parts as much as the vaping!
I was quite a heavy smoker and started on 24mg, which I found was horrid, then to 18mg which was still too harsh for me, and have now settled on 10-12mg as it still gives me a good hit, smooth flavour and without the harshness (im really not a big fan of excessive throat hit either, I smoked mellow rolling tobacco which may go someway in explaining it).
Give RY4 or similar a go, its got the smoky flavour of tobacco, but with a touch of smooth sweetness from vanilla/caramel. I pretty much stick to this type of juice as I don't like the fruity stuff and its close to smoking but with added pleasant flavour.