Tobacco Queen of the Week: Monique Jones — Building Community Through Cigars
For Monique Jones, better known throughout the cigar community as CigarBarTech, cigars have always been about more than what is inside the humidor. They are about the conversations, friendships, and shared experiences that happen when people sit down and light a cigar together.
A Certified Cigar Sommelier, Founder and CEO of MoJo Consulting and Training LLC, and Event Co-Chair for Women of PCA, Monique has built her career around education, hospitality, and creating stronger connections within the premium cigar community.
Her journey into the cigar world began in Baltimore, where she was working in nightlife promotion. It was there that she first became interested in the atmosphere surrounding cigars—the conversations, the camaraderie, and the way people from different backgrounds could connect over a shared experience.
Long before she fell in love with cigars themselves, she fell in love with the community around them.
From Curiosity to Education
As Monique became more involved in the world of premium cigars, her curiosity quickly grew.
She wanted to understand what made one cigar different from another: where the tobacco came from, how different leaves influenced flavor, how cigars were blended, and how generations of craftsmanship shaped the finished product.
That curiosity eventually developed into a passion for cigar education.
Today, as a Certified Cigar Sommelier and through her work with MoJo Consulting and Training, Monique uses her knowledge and experience to help others better understand and appreciate premium cigars.
For her, education should never make cigars feel intimidating. Instead, it should give people the confidence to explore, ask questions, discover what they enjoy, and develop their own appreciation for the craft.
Cigars as a Common Language
At the heart of Monique's relationship with cigars is one word: community.
Throughout her journey, she has shared cigars with people from nearly every walk of life. Different careers, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together around the same table.
Once the cigars are lit, many of those differences begin to disappear.
A conversation might begin with tobacco, a particular blend, or a favorite cigar, but it can quickly turn into a discussion about business, family, travel, culture, or life. For Monique, those moments represent one of the most meaningful aspects of cigar culture.
In a world that often feels increasingly fast-paced, she also sees cigars as an invitation to slow down.
Smoking a premium cigar takes time. It encourages people to put aside distractions, be present, and appreciate both the cigar and the people sharing the experience with them.
Creating More Space for Women in Cigars
One of the most rewarding parts of Monique's journey has been helping more women discover their place within the premium cigar industry.
Through her leadership as Event Co-Chair for Women of PCA, as well as her work in consulting, training, and mentorship, she has become part of a growing movement of women shaping the future of cigar culture.
Monique encourages both new and experienced cigar smokers to remain curious. Ask questions. Try different blends. Learn about different tobacco-growing regions. Most importantly, enjoy the process without feeling intimidated by how much there is to learn.
She believes the cigar community becomes stronger when it welcomes different voices, perspectives, and experiences—and when experienced members of the industry are willing to share their knowledge with the next generation of enthusiasts.
The Perfect Cigar Moment
When Monique has the opportunity to simply relax and enjoy a cigar for herself, she tends to reach for medium-bodied cigars with balance and complexity.
One of her current favorites is the Nicahabana Nica Behike.
Her pairings depend on the moment. A smoked tequila Old Fashioned or bourbon might accompany an evening cigar, while coffee or a café con leche can be the perfect complement at other times.
But the setting matters just as much as what is in the glass.
For Monique, an ideal cigar moment comes at sunset, with a great cigar, good company, and a meaningful conversation.
It is a simple combination, but one that perfectly reflects what has kept her passionate about cigar culture throughout her journey.
Tobacco Queen of the Week
Through education, hospitality, mentorship, and her work with Women of PCA, Monique Jones continues to help make the premium cigar community more knowledgeable, welcoming, and connected.
Her story is also a reminder of what makes cigar culture special. The cigar may bring people to the table, but it is the conversations, relationships, and experiences created around that table that keep them coming back.
We are proud to recognize Monique Jones (@CigarBarTech) as our Tobacco Queen of the Week and thank her for sharing her story and for her continued dedication to educating, inspiring, and strengthening the premium cigar community.