James S.
Yelp
Let's get one thing perfectly clear: I have lived in Vegas where trick cocktails are cliche, I've lived in Brooklyn where speakeasies with passwords are still a thing, and I've travelled the world and have sampled many many cocktails that claimed to cater to an individual palette.
None have come close in comparison to this PEARL that sits just outside of the rapidly growing culinary and Cocktail Oyster that is Casper, Wyoming.
Amber, Mallory and family have set up a masterwork of a building as well.
From the moment you walk into the charming entry way and enter the French-Parlor style tasting room, you feel warm, intrigued, and welcomed into the amber-lit space that boasts chic decor and well placed lighting and wall accents. The bar is open and inviting and you can clearly see all of the amazing tinctures and bitters created by the artists behind the bar.
On this particular visit, we sat at the bar and immediately began conversation with a gentleman already seated at the bar; a regular named Ryan. He was very sweet and knew SO much about the menu! Instant bar friend, check! After a few moments of chatter, we were greeted by warm hugs from Amber and then from Mallory and the drink- building magic commenced.
I prefer to tell someone who boasts their knowledge of libations to craft me a personalized beverage after I give them a small list of flavors I like in my drinks...
Amber accommodated and happily listened, and immediately began on a cocktail called The Two Horned Rhino- a smoked rum beverage that absolutely blew my mind and expectations right out of the water! The profiles were spot on, and exceeded my expectations. The beverage had a perfect strength and it also managed to grab both the sweet/sour AND the Smoky notes all in one drink without tasting like an ash tray... It was so good that I ordered 2 and was quite tipsy afterward so do be careful... I knew I had ordered the right cocktail when I began pairing specific meals in my recipe memory book with it. Truly wonderful, as were ALL of their winter beverages that we tried.
My partner tried the Vesper which was, in a word, incendiary. The gin that this place distilled is complex, aromatic, layered and fragrantly intoxicating. I could smell it bruising in the shaker as she made it. Subtle. Mellow. Tart. Only hints of juniper which kissed the notes at the end. Bravo.
After an hour of conversation, and tasting of several other amazing drinks, including an Anise Star topped martini that is not in the menu, I had easily deduced that Amber is truly a master Mixologist.
This wasn't difficult to gather, what with the 20 medals modestly hanging off the bottles on the shelvesas solid proof behind our gracious host to help boast my assumptions.
Long story short: GO HERE! If you are a local: cherish this spot. If you are traveling through: Stop here and say hi! Also: THEY GIVE TOURS OF THE DISTILLERY AND ITS AMAZING!
It's also uber LGBT friendly and should be praised for its all-inclusive vibe and welcoming atmosphere. We will be back... many times. 5 Stars! Bravo!