On October 1, 2005, the world of the sophisticated drinker changed forever when Adam Carmer finally opened Whisky Attic, a private club specializing in all forms of scotch.
Just scotch. No gin, vodka or any of the other spirits one might find in a club. The Attic is devoted exclusively to the celebration of what the Gaelic called the "Water of Life," and it's been the dream of owner Carmer for a while. "We started planning almost exactly a year ago," he said just after the grand opening, "and it looks exactly like the drawings we made back then."
He is referring not only to the physical design of the room, which takes up the top floor of Carmer's already successful Freakin' Frog, but also to the philosophy behind the inspiration. Carmer wanted a place where people could congregate and feel comfortable, someplace where the club itself could facilitate conversation. In other words, no leather chairs. "That's old school," explains the effusive owner. "The big, overstuffed leather chairs with the deep-set buttons, that's what everyone immediately thinks of when you say 'Private Club,' but those chairs distance people. This is more communal."
And that community includes some of the most powerful people in Vegas, from name hoteliers to prominent politicians, all of whom paid the annual membership fee to be able to partake of the more than 350 brands of whiskey, bourbon and scotch faced out behind the handmade wood bar. "We'll have over 500 different bottles by the end of the year," explains Carmer. To be a completist, though, Adam not only stocks liquor from Scotland, where they produce more than everywhere else in the world, but also from around America and even as far away as Japan. "The Japanese have 33 different whiskies. It's just like distilled beer only there's no hops."
The man is a wealth of knowledge about the product he serves. So much so he even serves on the faculty of the UNLV Hotel department teaching a course in beer and wine. "Education is separation," he says. So while you're enjoying a dram (which is Gaelic for "shot"), feel free to ask the owner anything you want to know about what you're drinking. Of course, if you don't feel like talking, Carmer has taken the liberty of creating a library of over 100 books solely on the topic, all of which are available to anyone in the Attic.
In addition to educational resources, the Attic is also stocked with an ever-growing assortment of board and card games, three dedicated chessboard tables, complimentary wireless access and a big-screen TV with state-of-the-art sound. The unique, exclusive menu will be appearing soon. Since he does nothing halfway, though, Carmer has ensured his menu will include traditional haggis among the Artisan breads, hard meats, and table-finished crème brulee. And this is the everyday fare. Adam is also bringing in master distillers from all over the globe to host tastings and special dinner events. This is the privilege of membership.
Membership also gets your name on a card in the file at your bartender's fingertips. That card contains all the information needed to make your visit perfect. It tells Adam or his protégé Zack Fahey (so far, the only two people pouring the drinks) what drinks you've ordered, how you liked them and if you ever want to drink them again. This is a place where they not only know your name, but give 'em a few visits and they'll be able to anticipate your moods.
It's because of this attention to detail that Carmer has been so successful. The downstairs bar, The Freakin' Frog, started the tradition by offering over 500 different beers, some you can't find anywhere else in a town known for being able to get anything at anytime. Now, with the new venture, Adam is just doing the best job he knows how: "I want to take your experience to a new level."
As he looks around the living-room atmosphere he's created, Carmer states his motto: "We're welcoming all people that like whiskey to come in and enjoy the attic and look into becoming a regular fixture."
The Whisky Attic is open from 6 p.m. until the last dram is drained.