I've actually had a couple of lower end Tats (Tattoo and Fausto) and both were flawless construction.
The Tattoo was a so-so stick (good for deer camp around the campfire). I really enjoyed the Fausto though. Good full bodied maduro. I liked it a lot.

The 10th was the first $10 Tat I've had and as luck would have it, it was the one that I couldn't smoke.
No worries though. It is a hand made product. There is bound to be a bad one here and there.