For you whiskey/bourbon newbies, all bourbons are whiskies, but not all whiskies are bourbons. Whiskey can be made all over the world, but American whiskey is known as bourbon and must be exclusively made in the U.S. Regardless of the guidelines, it’s been apparent for decades that the whole world loves whiskey—so much so that there’s a day dedicated to the brown spirit, World Whiskey Day, on May 17. In honor of the occasion, we suggest some of the best spots on the Las Vegas Strip to imbibe whiskies from around the world.
Instead of booking a reservation in the restaurant, sidle up to the bar of Nobu Las Vegas at Caesars Palace and check out its impressive Japanese whiskey collection, one of the largest in the city. Choose from a collection of more than 100 different labels including bottles no longer available for purchase or some of the most rare and coveted bottles, including the Karuizawa 1984 Map Series or Karuizawa 1999 Noh 13 Year Old Mask Series, both pouring for more than $1,000 per ounce. More reasonably priced whiskies in Nobu’s collection include popular brands like Hibiki, Yamazaki and Hakushu. And for a special way to celebrate, order the whiskey cappuccino, created with all made-in-house ingredients. The four-layered dessert stacks a coffee custard base, then chocolate coffee crumble and then milk-flavored ice cream, all topped with an Iwai Japanese whiskey-flavored foam.
Photo by: Jose Salinas Media
Travel from Japan to Scotland when you stop into Eight Lounge at Resorts World Las Vegas. The popular cigar and cocktail lounge is one of the only spots outside of Scotland that offers the entire collection of the coveted House of Hazelwood. For $2,500, guests can try a flight of the entire whiskey collection that includes eight different expressions. If that’s a little too spicy for your wallet, each expression can also be ordered on its own, starting at $325 and going up to $1,200 per pour. Eight Lounge has also amassed a huge collection of bourbons from around the country and created a bevy of specialty cocktails that use the brown spirit, including its house Old-Fashioned, where the guest chooses the whiskey.
Next up is Ireland, where whiskey seems to be celebrated every day, and you can peruse one of the largest collections of Irish whiskies outside of the Emerald Isle when you pay a visit to Rí Rá Irish Pub at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place. The décor includes actual pieces brought over from Ireland, including the Shop Bar near the entrance. The Shop Bar was dismantled and re-created inside Rí Rá with all the original pieces and woodwork from Foley’s Bar in Timoleague, West Cork. As you take in the authentic atmosphere, choose from 400 bottles of Irish, American and Scottish whiskies, with one of the biggest Irish whiskey collections in the country (around 140 labels including names like Gelston’s, Old Bushmills, Pearse Lyons and Tipperary).
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The collection of whiskies at Delmonico Steakhouse at The Venetian is so large one might feel intimated on how to start. Don’t fret—Delmonico’s bartenders are schooled in the spirit and can take each guest on a whiskey journey, bringing you to a destination you’ll thoroughly enjoy. The restaurant’s collection truly is massive, with more than 800 labels from 15 different countries. Popular and standout brands include the Pappy Van Winkle brand with Pappy 15 Year bourbon, Pappy 12 Year bourbon and Pappy Family Reserve 13 Year rye, and the barrel-aged 1792 full-proof bourbon, and Delmonico’s restaurateur Emeril Lagasse’s own barrel-aged Emeril’s Westward whiskey.
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