The Best Las Vegas Whisk(e)y Bars
Whisky was invented in Scotland, and quickly moved to Ireland, where they added an “e’’. The rest of the world has been divided ever since, with America using “whiskey” for its bourbon and rye, while Canada and Japan, rounding out the top five producers, follow the Scots.
The good news is that no matter how you spell it—or what style is your favorite—you will find plenty of options in Las Vegas, which is home to some of the nation’s best whisk(e)y bars and lists.
On The Casino Floor
Close to the action, Whiskey Down on the floor of the MGM Grand’s vast casino, has more than 50 choices, mostly American, Irish, Canadian and Scotch, including some rarities and choices from MGM’s extensive private cask program. MGM Resorts constantly requisitions one-of-a-kind barrels for its private label program, expressions available no place else. While private labels from big bourbon producers have become commonplace, MGM gets odder one-offs such as Taiwan’s Kavalan, older Macallan releases, and even offerings from independent bottlers like Gordon & MacPhail. There’s live music every night except Monday, and on Whiskey Wednesdays, rotating discounted tasting flights. It’s also a good place for last call, until 1-2AM.
The A Lists
Steak and whiskey are a classic pairing, and no city on earth can rival the collection of top-shelf steakhouses here, many with extensive whiskey lists. So, it shouldn’t be a shock that the biggest list in town is not in a specialty bar, but rather at Emeril’s Delmonico, one of several high-end steakhouses in The Venetian. Delmonico has around 800 labels from roughly a dozen countries, including hard to find producers (Israel, India, Denmark). When it comes to old Scotch, there are many over 30 years, well beyond what most fancy restaurants offer. They also get some interesting private single casks, often with three or more available, including a recent Weller Full Proof bourbon.
Carversteak in Resorts World is one of the city’s newest high-profile steakhouses, with a spirits program to match. Themed dining rooms include a whiskey room lined with collectible bottles, but no matter where you sit, you can enjoy the signature Carversteak Old Fashioned with both local Nevada Frey Ranch rye and Bacardi rum or one of over 200 whiskies, with more than 15 countries represented.
There are two Vegas steakhouses with whiskies in their very names. Scotch 80 Prime at the Palms has several million dollars’ worth of whiskies, a huge collection of around 500- bottles, including nearly three dozen from ultra-collectible Macallan’s Fine and Rare vintage collection. But the real specialty is customized food and whiskey dinner pairings. Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina at the Four Seasons has several private cask selections and around 150 labels including “Rare & Vintage” selections, such as several coveted Pappy Van Winkle bourbons.
A Close Shave
Yes you can actually get a shave or trim at the Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails in the Cosmopolitan, but the real fun goes on behind the barbers chairs in the speakeasy-like hidden interior, where live music, craft cocktails and an impressive whiskey list reside. There are signature whiskey cocktails using Japanese, Irish, and American spirits, while the menu has more than four dozen domestic whiskies, including local Nevada producers such as Frey Ranch, plus many global choices. Scottish offering include oddities such as several Compass box selections and 30-year-old Macallan Double Cask, alongside hard to find Japanese favorites Yamazaki 18 and Tame 10-year.
Going Downtown
One of the city’s most unusual whiskey bars, Oak & Ivy, is in the downtown Container Park, an open-air complex made from re-purposed shipping containers, a combination public park, playground, retail, food and he craft cocktail space. Bartenders at the tiny spot take their job seriously, wielding blowtorches and eclectic made-from-scratch mixers. In addition to signature craft cocktails, they have in-house barrel-aged Old Fashioneds, weekday Happy Hour with a slate of specialty highballs, and a vast assortment of whiskies, including boutique local offerings hard to find even in Nevada.
Bringing Prohibition Back
One of the city’s top cultural attractions is also a whiskey bar of sorts. The downtown Mob Museum features an exhibit called The Road to Prohibition, and to bring the story to life, the museum has its own working distillery, brewery and speakeasy, The Underground. A 25-minute self-guided tour of pot still distillation includes a tasting of Museum Moonshine (corn whiskey), or you can just belly up to the bar in the Speakeasy (once you find the secret entrance). Here, in addition to the house-made corn whiskey and house brewed beers, you can try a whiskey cocktail or tasting flight, such as a sampling of American bourbons or Whiskies of the World, representing the US, Ireland, Scotland and Japan.
At The Source
There are several local whiskey producers, but Las Vegas Distillery in Henderson was the first in Nevada and offers a 45-minute guide distillery tour including cocktail tasting. They also have a modern tasting room where you can try their house-made bourbon or American single malt, the newest spirit category recently approved by the Federal Government. They also serve in-house barrel aged whiskey cocktails, including a signature Old Fashioned, and “regular” craft cocktails, plus an extensive food menu.