By Bob Barnes
Whiskey has long been on the rise and in the U.S. is the top-selling spirit category for on-premises consumption. Here are our Prime Picks of where to find a well-rounded and voluminous selection of the popular brown spirit. All also offer exclusive one-of-a-kind pours you’ll find nowhere else created from custom wood barrels aged with carefully selected barrel staves.
Delmonico Steakhouse
This Emeril Lagasse steakhouse in The Venetian is elegant and luxurious both in cuisine and atmosphere. It boasts one of the top meat selections globally, which is matched with its whiskey selection, possibly the largest in Las Vegas. Entering the restaurant, you’ll encounter the front bar, where the alcohol arsenal is situated in its full glory. The menu is so extensive, it is listed in the 47-page Whisky Book.
# of Expressions: 800
Rare Gems: The Macallan 25 yr Bottled by Signatory, Glendronach 29 yr 1992 Oloroso Cask and Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel
Exclusive/Available Only Here: Emeril’s Weller Full Proof Bourbon, Emeril’s Rare Character Rye Whiskey Finished with Brazilian Amburana Wood and Emeril’s Westward Single Malt Whiskey
Ask For: Lead Bartender Erik Kluever
Carversteak
This luxury steakhouse at Resorts World has made a name for itself for its dedication to fine cuts of beef and stellar whiskey selection. One of Carversteak’s two private dining rooms is the Whiskey Room, where there are private tastings and some of its rarest bottles are stored in attractive cabinets. The collection is one of the city’s largest in terms of rare, one-off creations. A unique amenity is Timeless Treasures, a leather trunk containing rare and limited-production spirits paired with a water specially formulated to blend with premium spirits.
# of Expressions: 240
Rare Gems: Banff 37 yr Cask Strength, Bunnahabhain 43 yr 1975 Vintage Matured in Refill Sherry Butt Cask and Craigellachie 33 yr
Exclusive/Available Only Here: Carversteak Maker’s Mark 46 Private Selection Single Barrel
Ask For: Carver Road Hospitality Vice President of Beverage & Hospitality Culture and Master Mixologist Francesco Lafranconi
Double Helix Wine & Whiskey Lounge
Located at Town Square, large whiskey barrels at the entrance give a clue to what awaits inside. Here you’ll find the largest selection off the Strip, with nearly 500 unique labels spanning a variety of regions from around the world. Some of the whiskies are so rare, they are not kept at the bar but are locked away (you’ll have to ask for them). An excellent perk is the Custom Flight: Choose any number of whiskies on the menu for half pours at half price.
# of Expressions: 480
Rare Gems: Kentucky Owl Rye Bayou Mardi Gras XO Casks, The Macallan 25 yr Sherry Oak and WhistlePig The Boss Hog VIII
Exclusive/Available Nowhere Else: Elijah Craig Private Barrel Uncut and Sonoma Cherrywood Straight Rye Single Barrel
Ask For: Manager Quentin Reyes
Oak & Ivy
This craft whiskey bar in the Downtown Container Park just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Like everything else in the park, the bar is made from upcycled shipping containers, which makes for an intimate, cozy feel. The décor suggests an opulence from years long ago, and a rooftop patio provides overflow space and room for special events. Be sure to ask for the Unicorn list of hard-tofind bottles and check out the Battle Born Flight (all made in Nevada).
# of Expressions: 102
Rare Gems: Pappy Van Winkle series, Noah’s Mill and Brook Hill Rare Character
Exclusive/Available Nowhere Else: Weller Full Proof Wheated Bourbon
Ask For: Lead Bartender Wesley Pride and Bar Manager Russell Dow
Scotch 80 Prime
The name of this steakhouse at Palms Casino Resort suggests the numbers of scotch it carries, but it is instead named for an old Las Vegas neighborhood. But that doesn’t mean whiskey isn’t at the forefront. Although the selection isn’t as vast as when the restaurant opened under different ownership, it is a respectful amount and steadily increasing. The lion’s share are whiskies from Scotland. Flights to consider: Bourbon Trail, Scotch Explorer and Secret Flavors of Japan.
# of Expressions: 83
Rare Gems: Pappy Van Winkle 15 yr, 20 yr and 23 yr, Royal Salute 62 Gun Salute and Kujira 20 yr
Exclusive/Available Nowhere Else: Elijah Craig Palms Single Barrel Bourbon (also available in other Palms restaurants)
Ask For: Director of Beverage Nicole Canfield
