I think it's more likely the "great taste" is down to it being an addictive substance. If smoking animal dung got you high, people would probably rationalise about it tasting great as well.
Industrial manufacturers add tons to improve the taste like honey, licorice, probably stuff to negate the bad smell, like menthol.
I'm convinced this contributes to the primary pathway because it's a primary instinct and this thought allows for a better comparison to alcohol - drink, dehydrate, drink more, repeat ad nauseam.