Hmm..now I have to decide if I want to move LOL I didn't even notice it was taiga HAH!The torches you start with are chiseled, and yes they are suppose to not give off heat. To get a torch that will keep you warm you will need to make normal ones. I also recommend moving around the first day till you find someplace that is not super cold to live, the game often starts you in a cold taiga biome.
On another note,
The quest Firepower, doesn't register when you craft the ab-9.
The quest Headshot says Unnamed quest right before the actual quest text.