Some people leave behind heirlooms. Others, legacies. My grandmother, Valtona Cowan Johnson—affectionately known as Valerie—left behind a legacy rooted in strength, sacrifice, and unwavering love. A child of 13 and mother of 6, she embodied the true essence of a Proverbs 31 woman: virtuous, wise, and industrious, with a heart anchored in faith.

She lived life as a single mother with the kind of resilience that makes legends. Though life gave her challenges, she never let them define her. She did what it took to survive and provide. The lights in her home never went out. There was always a warm meal on the table. Somehow, with all she carried, she still made time—time to show up, to support, and to speak life into her children and grandchildren.

Family was her heartbeat. She remained involved in our lives, encouraging every dream we dared to speak aloud. She taught us the power of words, the importance of hard work, and the strength of a woman who knows who she is and whom she belongs to.

My grandmother was creative and crafty, always finding ways to make something beautiful out of the simple. That spark of creativity lives on in me. It’s one of the many gifts she passed down—gifts I now carry into everything I build.

To honor her memory and everything she stood for, I created a cigar that embodies her spirit. Bold in presence. Sweet in essence. The VC.

VC stands for Valtona Cowan—but it also stands for Valor. A perfect reflection of the woman whose strength built generations. When you see the VC cigar on a shelf, know that it tells a story. It represents a woman who dared to redefine her family’s path, a woman who loved deeply, gave freely, and never stopped fighting for her children.

She is my inspiration. She is the reason I am committed to redefining a family legacy—one rooted in faith, strength, and the courage to build something lasting.

This cigar is more than a smoke. It’s a tribute. A legacy. A reminder that the stories of our elders still live, breathe, and inspire us to this day.

To Valerie. To Valor. To legacy.