But I haven't.
And silica wicks taste like excrement to me.

The cotton wicks, TO ME, taste like the eliquid instead of excrement.
I also use the Kanger SOCC cotton coils as opposed to the MT32 silica wicks. TO ME, taste difference is notable (aka better).
You have to try for yourself. NO ONE can tell you which one "tastes better". Taste is entirely subjective.

. No use in cheating yourself out of a possibly better vape.
Your call.