you think I got a bad stick? oliva serie V

OK the size was belicoso, I angle cut it with a double blade guillotine cutter, pre draw was firm but I figured it would open up after it was lit. Lit it and first impression was meh. I figured "well it will pick up here in a minute" after the first third I was pretty upset with my $7 dog rocket. draw was really firm, my cheeks would actually go concave when trying to take a decent draw. overall the flavor picked up in the middle of the stick but not much, I really was not impressed by this stick at all. Do you think I just got a bad stick? or are these just over rated?