Inconsistency is an issue for a lot of the manufacturers these days. Cbid and CI have special deals with AJ so you see a lot of his cigars around here. I like most of AJ's offerings and his blending "taste" in general, but I just know there are going to be times where a particular "stick" ( and I will use that controversial term here on-purpose) is a stinker.
Great constancy is one of the things I like about the OMB3, Pepin Blues, all Aging Rooms, RP Sun Grown Maduros, LGC Series R and of course Padrons and AFs. Never had a a poorly made or "off taste" one of any of those. Most of those cigars are, of course, generally a lot more expensive than the ones talking about in this thread (Except for The OMB3 on the super-duper-every-now-and-then deal, which is why that deal is so great).
Now a days if you get around a $3 price point, you seem -with most brands- to have to live with inconstancy ranging from he occasional clunker to the whole order being a crap-shoot. Perhaps got lucky with the gifted AB Tempests . All tasted very nice -very close to as described in the glowing 90+ reviews - and only one had a burn issue and that was outside in a strong breeze.
So while I won't be surfing the web to seek them out, if I see a good deal that sends a few my way for $3 a smoke, I would not hesitate to pull the trigger even though from several reviews and the posts here that others have had issues at times with them.
Now to high-jack my own thread, what is YOUR most consistent inexpensive to moderately-priced cigar? You know, ones that you are likely to find a deal on that you never worry about ordering because you can count on them?