Spirit of the Time

The Zeitgeist Arts Cafe is the kind of place that would make any bourbon lover feel right at home. We happened through on a Monday afternoon when it is oh so conveniently half off whisky pours. On the Great Bourbon website, Zeitgeist is the only listing for Great Bourbon Bars in America in Minnesota. Although there are other great bourbon places in the state, we agree 100% that this is the place to go for Bourbon and Rye when you are in Duluth. They have a selection that would appeal to even the most seasoned whisky drinker.


The Hedonists indulged in tasting three Rye whiskies – High West Mountain Rye 21 yr, Sazerac 18 yr, and Thomas H Handy Barrel Proof. The Sazerac was very assertive with a tangy, bakery aroma. Definitely some sweet notes, very warming and finishes with a spice that lingers on the tongue. The High West 21 and the Thomas H Handy came out on top in our opinion. We enjoyed the Thomas H Handy which we thought had a slightly floral and toasty bread aroma that started with a sweet beginning and blended to a spice and heat at the end of a sip. The High West 21 did not have as strong a warming effect when on the tongue as the others, but it certainly had that same sweet caramel start with a slightly malty middle and pleasantly spicy finish.

After treating ourselves to liquid goodness we indulged in the fresh pretzels and cheese plate. The pretzels here put all other pub pretzels to shame. Fresh out of the oven, three pretzel sticks about the size of an artisan baguette; a crispy outside sprinkled in coarse salt, and a warm chewy center perfect for tearing open for dipping. There were three dipping sauces, but to be honest we enjoyed the stone ground mustard and the jalapeno sauces so much we neglected to note what the third one was. The cheese plate had three local choices, plus a fig spread, olives and super crispy crostini bites to help shuttle the tastiness in salivating mouths.

Here are a few pictures to pique your interest (sorry, no food pics. we were too busy eating to stop and grab the camera)

Our beautiful sampling of rye

1. High West Mountain Rye 21yr, UT

2. Sazerac 18yr, KY

3. Thomas H Handy Barrel Proof, KY

The view of the bar

<--------  A variety of spirits and wine

Rye & Scotch  --------->

<-------- Whisky!!!

The Aviation (look familiar?)

Bombay Dry, Luxardo Maraschino, lemon juice, simple syrup, Crème de Violette

The Aristotle O ------>
Leblon Cachaca, Aperol, lemon juice, agave nectar, Peach bitters, pasteurized egg white

<-------- A Whisky Sour made with egg white, yum!

  Four Roses, lemon juice, simple syrup, pasteurized egg white

Pisco Sour  ------->

Don César Pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, pasteurized egg white

We hope you make a point of stopping by the Zeitgeist Arts Cafe next time you are in Duluth. We will definitely be making this a mandatory stop any time we are in town.

Cheers!