Hi. I can really sympathise with your predicament. I have been a smoker for over 40 years, for the last 20 I have used Golden Virginia rollups and was a heavy smoker. 4 years ago I had a heart attack, so needed to reconsider my smoking habits. I tried the devices advertised in the press that are designed to look like cigarettes, make great promises, but fail to deliver on performance. I went back to tobacco after a very short trial. I have again taken up the gauntlet of vaping after more research on the devices available, I was not aware that these very technical e-cigs were available until recently. Given my previous failure, I did not want to spend too much money on something that could end up in the bin after a few days, I opted for an EGO-CE4 KIT at £20. It is simple to use and does what it says on the tin. Given that I was a heavy smoker, I have opted to start with a high nicotine liquid (24%), like yourself, I ordered a flavour that I thought I would be familiar with, but as you have found, it tastes nothing like the original. I have only been vaping for a few days now, but have to say, I am hooked and will not be using tobacco ever again, that said, for the first few days I did wake up craving a rollup and doubting that the e-cig would hit the spot. But the first draw on my e-cig got me over that. I am using my e-cig more than I would normally smoke at the moment, I think this is helping me to adjust to a different taste. As for the sore throat, even as a smoker, if I had a brand of tobacco other than what I was used to, I always had a bad throat. As I am vaping more than I would normally smoke, I am also keeping a glass of water with me to help with the dry throat. I did not expect this vaping experience to work for me, given my previous failure and also my negative mind set towards it. I loved my rollups! But after only a few days and with trying to accept change, it has worked for me fine style. Why not try a completely different flavour, you still get the nicotine hit you crave, or perhaps upping the nicotine level may help. I doubt a lower nicotine content that the 24% I am currently using would have worked for me and I would have been having rollups inbetween vaping, which is a bit pointless. I really hope you stick with it, just try to overcome the obstacles that your mind presents to you. I know this is rhetoric, but, if after 40 years as a confirmed smoker, I can change the habit after just a few days, I am sure anyone can, even without the need for too much willpower (because when it came to giving up smoking, I had none!) Good luck and don't give up or give in. You will succeed.
The PG used in vapes is KIND of the same as the one used in smoke machines, but a hell of a lot safer. 
Stay away from PG based juices and you shouldnt get too much of a chemically taste.
