Bellagio bartender Sean Bigley recently went out on the town with Vegas Seven in search of the city’s bourbon barometer. Here are our top finds:

• For a classic-style Manhattan, try Herbs & Rye, where barman Gerardo De La Torre selected Woodford Reserve (a high-rye bourbon in homage to the traditional choice, rye) along with Carpano Antica Formula sweet vermouth and Fee’s Old-Fashioned bitters.
• The Milan to Manhattan at Sage could be likened to a slightly tomboyish young lady. The cocktail combines rough-and-ready Bulleit Bourbon with the more feminine Peychaud’s aromatic cocktail bitters and Carpano Antica. Substitute Basil Hayden bourbon and she slips on a frilly frock. Thank you, barman Aaron Baca, for letting us play.
• The Manhattan with the greatest sense of whimsy was found at Noir Bar, home of Andrew Pollard’s Good Morning Manhattan liquefied breakfast: maple syrup, orange marmalade, sweet vermouth, Michter’s rye whiskey (we cheated on bourbon; it’s that good), chocolate bitters and a bacon-syrup foam with Starbucks coffee liqueur and caramelized cinnamon-sugar. That hangover won’t know what hit it.

Want more? Sean and Lisa Bigley of Melange Beverage Group present a five-course bourbon paired dinner with cigars and live jazz at Elements Kitchen on Monday, Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m. $79 plus tax and tip. Seating is limited. Call 750-2991 for reservations.