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Quality of alcohol (free while gaming)

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by usmcbaby, Jan 26, 2014.

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  1. usmcbaby

    usmcbaby Tourist

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    I saw a thread or two with info about brands of alcohol dated a few years ago but didn't notice anything recently. It's been almost 5 years since our last visit. What quality of alcohol is being served as complimentary drinks while gaming at the casinos now?

    For example: if I order a vodka tonic will they serve Smirnoff or Grey Goose? If I order a Crown and 7 (my fav) will they serve Crown or Black Velvet?

    Which casinos are serving which brands?

    BTW, not trying to come off as an alcohol snob. Just interested in knowing what I'm being served.
     
  2. ncoday

    ncoday Tourist

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    I always ask for my drinks by name, otherwise I think it is all well brands. For example, instead of vodka Red Bull I ask for a Kettle and Red Bull. I try to ask for brands that are on par with my level of play, at $5 a hand, I am not going to ask for premium liquor, but as my bets go up, I feel that I am paying for it, and am entitled to it.
     
  3. MNVegasgal

    MNVegasgal Low-Roller

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    I drink Crown and Ginger.. Aria, Bellagio and Cosmopolitan, and Venetian all comp it on the floor while playing slots.. Excalibur does not.
     
  4. RiddickBull

    RiddickBull VIP Whale

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    If you just order vodka and tonic, they will give you lower quality liquor. You have to tell them goose and tonic or ciroc and tonic, etc.

    I sometimes drink vodka and redbull. When I order while gaming, I always say goose and redbull. If the drinks are too weak, you can tell them to give you a double shot.

    The higher tier casinos tend to have higher shelf alcohol. (Aria, Wynn, etc.)

    Make sure you take of the CW and they will keep coming.
     
  5. usmcbaby

    usmcbaby Tourist

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    I hear ya unfortunately, some places don't say that they don't serve a specific alcohol. For example: I've been in concert venues, etc. and ask for a Crown and 7. Next thing I know they serve me a generic whiskey and Sprite. I say hey "i ordered a Crown and 7". They then say yeah " we don't have Crown or 7".

    IMO it shouldn't matter if I'm betting $5/hand or $100/hand. I may bet $5/hand and bet 30 hands an hour which should allow me premium drink brands.
     
  6. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    This is why I usually don't say "goose and tonic" on my first drink at that place. I'll usually ask for vodka tonic and then also ask if they have grey goose available.


    Excalibur(haven't been in circus circus in a few years) is the only MLife property that is severely limited on brands. Vodka will be Absolute level or so. Honestly not sure what gin they would have as I only drink sapphire and I'm 99% certain they don't have that. Luxor/NYNY/Monte Carlo I think all have things like goose and sapphire. Patron I have only been able to get at Aria regularly.

    Wynn/Venetian are both pretty well stocked and I haven't had an issue getting many things there. The only notable one I remember is Wynn has bushmills over jameson.

    CET is very hit and miss for me. They put in something where you can pay to upgrade your drink to something like grey goose. I've had times where they wanted me to pay, I've had times where it was no issue. Granted it may have not been goose, but I also know it wasn't some rail vodka.



    All of the CWs have been extremely friendly to me when asking for something specific. If in doubt ask. If you are wanting something that you can go buy for $50 and under a bottle, just ask. It is not a rediculous request and worst case is they say they don't have it and probably will offer an alternative.
     
  7. billyinpg

    billyinpg Low-Roller

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    In our experience it really depends on the property. Higher end props seem to have better liquor on tap and the level of play doesn't matter.

    We don't request certain liquor but for example at Bellagio it's going to be better than an Casino Royale.

    This being said we are NOT Mlife people but they treat us well at Bellagio. Last trip my GF raved about the garlic stuffed olives in her Caesar. The waitress came back to us with our drinks and a glass full of those wonderful garlic stuffed olives.

    For the record we were told it was Grey Goose and I can say it might have been but it defiantly wasn't a well drink.
     
  8. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    Does V/P comp Macallan 12?

    Also what is their standard rum they use if I ask for just a rum and diet?
     
  9. usmcbaby

    usmcbaby Tourist

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    This is what I figured. Thanks for the info.

    I suppose any free alcohol is better than nothing.....right? Um!

    Anyways, the closest local casino we visit is on an Indian reserve and they don't provide any free alcohol. My alcohol consumption there is kept at a minimum when I visit.
     
  10. RiddickBull

    RiddickBull VIP Whale

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    This won't make a difference as long as you don't order the higher end drinks (Johnny Walker Blue Label, Hennessey XO, etc.).

    You should not feel like you shouldn't order premium alcohol playing $5 per hand. You have the right to drink such liquors as long as your are gambling (penny slots or betting yellow chips). The CW does not care as long as you tip.

    Sometimes when I feel like drinking heavily without gambling, I'll play penny slots or VP (or pretend) and order a bunch of drinks (goose and redbull, Patron, Hennessey VS, etc.). Just make sure you go to a higher end casino for better alcohol.
     
  11. airball1996

    airball1996 High-Roller

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    With vodka drinks does it matter anyway? As soon as you mix it with anything, you won't be able to tell the brand anyway. 99% of you wouldn't be able to tell the brand if you were drinking it straight as it is.
     
  12. BarbaryCoast

    BarbaryCoast Tourist

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    My wife likes the higher end vodka (Ketel, Chopin). Here's what we found on our trip over MLK weekend. We typically play at bartop VP.

    Tips are going to play a big role into it. We saw some real Rusty Griswold ordering this past trip and a lack of tipping. "Three of your cheapest beers please." "Can I have a beer?"

    Quad used to comp anything but now is tightening up.
    Flamingo, Harrah's $2 upcharge for premiums.
    Paris, Pho, Mirage, Cosmo, MGM and Caesar's still seem to be comping pretty much anything.
    Had a weird bartender at the Trop who claimed he could get in trouble, but think it was just a tactic for a bigger tip.
    Bellagio watching coin in closely on premium comps.
    Casino Royale is mainly just the gun until you get to know the bartenders. Then Absolut's an option.

    Downtown was probably the most irritating. They'd claim it was a premium and it wasn't. The El Cortez is a big exception though, and they'll keep them coming quickly.
     
  13. Emerald

    Emerald Low-Roller

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    I drink Captain Morgan & Diet and I have no problem getting that at any casino. Capt Morgan not a hi end drink but at least I can always get it.
     
  14. DeMoN2318

    DeMoN2318 The DERS

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    I got Johnny Black comped at MGM last trip

    I had Macallan 12 comped at the bartop at Gold Spike downtown in March 2013
     
  15. usmcbaby

    usmcbaby Tourist

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    Well, I'm a good tipper if the service calls for it. I always start with a friendly/funny greeting and tip large for the first round so hopefully that will get me my Crown and 7 while a throw the dice for a few hours.

    I usually end up playing and drinking more in the hotel/casino where I'm staying, which looks like Rio at the moment. I'll try to get to know the CW's the first night and hopefully they will work similar shifts all 3 days I'm there.
     
  16. joshrocker

    joshrocker VIP Whale

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    This is mostly true. However with cheaper liquor you can get a headache or a worse hangover. I always order something name brand just for that purpose alone. You're right, I probably wouldn't notice a difference in taste after it was mixed and most people are probably in the same camp.
     
  17. Nevada Kid

    Nevada Kid VIP Whale

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    LOL!! Very true... I've run a bar for quite a while and when blind taste people Vodka they're all over the place.
     
  18. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    I can certainly taste a difference between well and better stuff. I'm not sure if I could taste a difference between absolute and grey goose.

    Even that depends on the mixer though. If I were to order a red bull vodka, I wouldn't notice the vodka. I hate the taste of red bull so much, that it drowns out crappy vodka. :) Cranberry might mask anything, the orange juice they use certainly doesn't.
     
  19. Jordan

    Jordan Caveman

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    Actually, while I was at the Flamingo in December, I asked for a Fiji water instead of regular and the CW said there was a $2 charge UNLESS I was diamond...I showed my card and was Fiji water from there on out.

    Same scenario with the goose, I asked for a goose and soda water, show my Diamond TR card and GTG...
     
  20. BayouBengal

    BayouBengal VIP Whale

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    Sometimes I'm in a beer mood but I feel like the options are often limited. They're not my favorites but shouldn't Sierra Nevada, Fat Tire or Sam Adam's be available at most decent casinos? I'm not expecting a full craft beer selection but I'd like something better than a Bud Light or Heineken.
     
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