if your in a rush for beer to drink then you are better force carbing but if your not and can wait 2 weeks then its best to 'set and forget' for 2 weeks
'Force carbonating' is a great way of producing foam fire extinguishers.
I would always let the beer and gas come to an equilibrium over time . . .doesn't mean that you can't sample the beer for QC purposes
Does FC affect the taste, I have found that it can produce a carbonic 'bite' similar to a fizzy drink like Coke or Pepsi . . . given time this 'bit' passes.