Head through the Casino and out to the shops at Mandalay Place to find one of the most comfortable liquor outposts in the city.  Ri Ra is our pick for pub extraordinaire'.  Not only does it have that relaxed and familiar feeling, but Ri Ra employs some of the friendliest, most knowledgeable staff in Vegas.  As tempting as their book of 80 scotches might have been, it seemed more appropriate to settle in and let Cyril recommend an Irish malt.  Sipping on a Bushmills 16 year old, alongside a Redbreast 12 year old was just the ticket to enjoy the amity and ambience.  Ri Ra is more neighborhood joint than resort showcase.  It is pleasant and unpretentious with one heck-of-a-whiskey collection. Ri Ra in the Shoppes at Mandalay Place. Open M-F 11:00 a.m.

Board the free tram at Mandalay to its last stop at the Excalibar casino.  From here its just a brief walk to the MGM Grand and Craft Steak.  Tom Colicchio right now is probably the highest profile Chef in America, but his restaurant Craft Steak is on our list for only one reason.  It is one of the swankiest places to enjoy a single malt spirit. This beautifully appointed establishment has a much more than respectable scotch and bourbon menu (200).  It seems that this "Top Chef" has the highest standards for both food and drink throughout his enterprise.  Our only complaint is that we wish their happy hour started just a little earlier.    Craft Steak at the MGM Grand. Lounge opens everyday at 5:30 p.m.

A great steak paired with amazing scotches in a stylish setting. Do you sense a pattern here?  If this suits your fancy, don't leave Vegas without a stop at CUT in the Palazzo Resort and Casino.  Here you'll find a well curated, albeit smaller 50+ selection of single malts in this suave 60 seat lounge attached to Wolfgang Puck's steakhouse restaurant.  What CUT lacks in quantity it makes up in quality, listing more independent bottlers and unusual cask finishes.  Their whisky program is thoughtful and well priced.  Its clear the bar manager really knows her stuff.  CUT in the Palazzo Resort and Casino. Bar opens nightly at 5:00 p.m. 

If you fall into the category of whiskey fanatic, then grab a cab and get yourself over to the Freakin Frog.  This college dive bar practically borders the UNLV campus and is owned by Adam Carmer, a part-time professor of beer and wine in the Hospitality program at UNLV.  Adam practices what he preaches and his beer offerings are impressive, but the upstairs attic holds a real whiskey treasure.  Hidden out of general sight is probably one of the most extensive collections of scotch and other quality whiskies on the planet (600).  What the Freakin Frog lacks in ambience, Adam makes up for in knowledge and sheer passion.  When you visit, call ahead to make sure he is there or you will miss the real experience and education.  Freakin Frog, 4700 S. Maryland Parkway, 702-217-6794.  Open every day at 2:00 p.m.

Andres at the Monte Carlo has just started a series of whisk(e)y tastings called Whiskey Wednesdays.  On the 1st Wednesday of every other month, there will be unlimited samplings of selected spirits in their lounge from 9:00 p.m. til 11:00 p.m.  So get over there, you local aficionados and report back! Tickets are $25.00 with reservation or $35.00 at the door.  A bonus feature is that you can walk over and enjoy a cigar with your dram in their adjacent Cigar & Cognac Lounge.  Their March event will feature Irish whiskies.  Please call for more information on their subsequent future tastings.  Andres at the Monte Carlo.

If we missed a great scotch bar in Las Vegas, please let us know in the comments section below so that we may add it to our growing directory of bars on this website.