The nasty taste goes away a lot faster if you pull the silicone plug out, give it a gentle tilt to each side to wet the wicks, put the top on and
vape for a bit without the plug. Seems like for me, the silicone plug inhibits some of the initial saturation of the coil. Once you vape a bit without the plug and the taste goes away, put the plug back on and you're good to go.