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| - The last time the gf and I sampled Vesper Bar's craft cocktails was almost exactly a year a go to the day, and we came away impressed then with its quality and execution. So, one year later, we found ourselves again at the Cosmopolitan and the Vesper Bar having cocktails. I appreciate any bar for being do anything consistently well over an extended period of time. Needless to say, I really, really appreciate Vesper for being able to maintain, if not actually improve on, its high level of quality, execution, and customer service over the year since our last visit.
One thing that changed substantially was the cocktail list. I embrace change and we made it a point to sample quite a bit off of it and to pick out some of their notable drinks from the current list. The Mulberry ($14) made with Baker's Bourbon, Nonino "Quintessentia" Amaro, Benedictine, whiskey barrel-aged bitters, and creole bitters was a bourbon-lover's dream. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/6GzwaQeb3brmyBucng_WPg?userid=le3Xn9Mheb1hNxWurF7RSw#CR_qp1tOWxLAGjbSd3QTrQ Boozy, yet smooth and complex, it was quite good. The Hendertucky ($12) concocted with Las Vegas Distillery Rumskey, Aperol, Hum, lime juice, blueberry preserve, and egg white was perhaps the most unique but definitely the most original Vesper offering. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/6GzwaQeb3brmyBucng_WPg?userid=le3Xn9Mheb1hNxWurF7RSw#29oH6myzmZQzp6v4fpgJRw Much like the locally-distilled unholy pairing of rum and whiskey that makes up its base spirit, the Hendertucky is a Frankenstein's monster of disparate ingredients (i.e. bitterness from the Aperol, the cardamom notes from the Hum, citrusy tartness from the lime juice and sweetness from the blueberry preserve) that somehow work in a magical way. However, my personal favorite and what's hands down the best cocktail to be found in the Cosmopolitan and perhaps on the entire Strip is the 12 Year Itch ($4/oz) made with Zaya 12 Year Old Rum, Carpano Antica, and Fernet Branca aged 16 weeks in a Templeton Rye barrel. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/6GzwaQeb3brmyBucng_WPg?userid=le3Xn9Mheb1hNxWurF7RSw#gkKLMDn786KAjPryzrW_sA I was skeptical about barrel-aged cocktails, thinking it was just a gimmick not worth the added cost for a drink. I'm now a believer. The cocktail was amazingly smooth despite it being uncut with any. The sharp, bitter edge from the Fernet was rounded out without muting its herbal notes. With every sip, I was reminded in a very positive way of glass of flat Mexican Coca Cola. Trust me, it was MUCH better than I just made it sound!
All of our visits to the Vesper Bar during our stay were well met by the excellent, friendly bar staff...a special shout out to Jason, who was notably personable and exceedingly talented. The bartenders were remarkably capable of serving up well executed, balanced, and consistently enjoyable drinks regardless of the time of day or night. The Chandelier may be the signature bar of the Cosmopolitan, but the Vesper Bar is where to go for the signature drinks!
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