I'm surprised to see such a lack of satisfaction with the HE - especially with the price. I find it to be a very enjoyable, non-offensive cigar (in the sense that I thought it had a little bit of everything to draw to all palates), and I think the price is actually pretty solid. Considering I can get them for $9 in NJ, that's a pretty solid deal.
With all of that said, I LOVED the Lancero (its my highest rated cigar of 2014 so far - which means nothing other than its my favorite new cigar of 2014 that I've smoked), found the Tienda Exclusiva to be on par, and the Norteno to be a slight step below, IMO.