It’s Nick Ascenzo’s job to make sure you’re having fun—and a little Jameson. “I worry less about sales and more about people smiling,” said Ascenzo, the Las Vegas Jameson ambassador.
The Miami native has been working in the bar industry since he was 18 and he’s been going places: New Orleans, Cleveland, Orlando, Fla., and eventually Las Vegas, opening Blue Martini as assistant general manager. After about seven years of working in Las Vegas, a dream opportunity came up. “I’m not just saying this,” he said, laughing, “but I always drank Jameson. ... Now I get the opportunity to learn more about it and promote it in a way where I’m proud of it.”
That means educating and trading notes with bartenders and guests around town about Jameson’s Irish whiskey line, including classic Jameson and Black Barrel. Sometimes that includes throwing parties with the Jameson Girls.
“When I’m out, I’m sampling, buying people shots, educating them,” said Ascenzo. “When people see me, I don’t have a name. ‘It’s the Jameson Guy,’ ‘Jameson is here.’ Yeah, I’ve actually been called ‘Jameson’ a couple of times.”
And that’s pretty nearly a perfect situation for the self-described outgoing guy. “That’s kinda who I feel I am. I’m the guy who likes to talk to people rather than sit in the corner and just smile,” Ascenzo said. “If you see me, don’t be afraid to say hello and let’s get some Jameson together!”
Barreled Mule
Barreled Mule
Whiskey’s for winter, right? You might want to rethink that. Todd English P.U.B. at The Shops at Crystals prepares this refreshing Moscow Mule variant with Jameson® Black Barrel whiskey, ginger beer and lime juice, and to distinguish it from its Russian relative, serves it in a Jameson mason jar. The Jameson Black Barrel’s subtle wood spice and vanilla flavors come from being aged in repurposed, double-charred bourbon barrels, and are only enhanced by the ginger beer’s spicy bite.
This Friends With Benefits is powered by Jameson® Irish Whiskey.
Photos shot on location in Todd English P.U.B. at The Shops at Crystals in CityCenter.
