Palma Cigars

Palma Cigars is a distinctive boutique cigar manufacturer and smoking lounge located in downtown Denver, Colorado, representing one of the few remaining artisanal cigar operations in the American West. Clay Carlton is the reason this Cigar paradise exists. As the Owner of Palma, all credit goes to him. His vision has evolved this space from a small Cigar Shop to a trendy, eclectic must-see in Denver! This tradition becomes all the more special in Denver at Palma Cigars, where we have a unique collection of cigars, hand-rolled by the state's only cigar roller. We are the only cigar manufacturers in the state of Colorado. The brand combines traditional Cuban rolling techniques with premium Dominican tobacco to create distinctive handcrafted cigars that embody both authenticity and innovation. At Palma, we get it right because we're not just in the business - we're in the lifestyle of all things good.

Background

The Denver native who opened his first barbershop in Winter Park 38 years ago today is a master cigar-roller and proprietor not just of Palma Cigars but of Bar Las Palmas Wine Bar, the most unique shop in the Ballpark neighborhood, offering cigars, wine, haircuts and lots of character to the area. "I started as a young barber," Carlton says of that first shop in Winter Park, "and because I wanted it to be a men's shop, I started to sell premium cigars in it," Carlton recalls. After more than twenty years of offering his customers what everyone else was selling, he thought it was time to start selling his own cigars. But first, he had to learn how to make them. "I took a leave of absence from my stores -- at that time I had six through the mountains -- and I went to study in a factory under a Cuban master roller for about over a year," Carlton says. Our owner, Clay Carlton, honed his skills by apprenticing under a Cuban master roller. He's brought his talents back to Colorado, and you can experience his expertise in our lounge and enjoy a glass of scotch while you do. This dedication to mastering the traditional art of cigar making established the foundation for what would become Colorado's premier handcrafted cigar brand.

History

In 2005, Carlton opened Palma Cigars & Wine Bar in downtown Denver. Established in 1985. Palma Cigars has been in the cigar business for more than 25 years, so we know how to make quality cigars. When Colorado's smoking ban went into effect that same year, Carlton's place was one of the few that was grandfathered in. "I just got lucky," he says. The brand has evolved from Carlton's original barbershop concept into a unique destination that combines traditional cigar manufacturing with a sophisticated smoking lounge experience. When Carlton is not rolling cigars or giving a customer in the vintage chair a clean shave, he is working on new products to help fund his foundation, Cigars to the Troops, founded in 2005. "It started out with me sending a couple cigars to Iraq and now it took on its own life," Carlton says.

Reputation

We take our reputation as a private label very seriously. Our reputation is your benefit. Carlton says he's the only master cigar-roller in a five-state radius, and that has given him opportunities to explore things he never thought of. People come [to Denver] and find us. That's huge. And that's put a lot of value on my store." He says patrons sometimes discover his place by researching cigar bars online, and then stop in after being at the convention center all day, unwinding with a cigar and a cocktail, while finishing up work on a laptop computer. The brand has gained recognition for its authentic craftsmanship and unique position as Colorado's sole cigar manufacturer, attracting both local enthusiasts and tourists seeking a genuine artisanal experience. The Denver Broncos recently bought a thousand of them in order to celebrate the Pro Football Hall of Fame inclusion of their late owner Pat Bowlen and retired cornerback Champ Bailey.