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!

On a Saturday Night

The bartenders at the Dubh Linn all agree that it's about what you enjoy and find pleasurable, not what people think is good by virtue of price or popularity. The staff is educated in the tap selection and fine spirits so they may assist even the most novice of persons in choosing a beverage to quench their thirst. The Dubh Linn is absolutely the place to be a Hedonist and find pleasure in what YOU enjoy and not what others think you should enjoy. To quote the owners, this is a place of "fine spirits, good company, and a comfortable atmosphere you only find in a pub."

We had the pleasure of sampling a variety of Scotch whiskies. We had the Highland Park 12 yr, Laphroaig 10 yr, Cragganmore 12 yr, Bunnahabhain 12 yr, and the Glenlivet Nadurra 16 yr. The sampling ran the gamut of smokey to peaty to stoney and dry. We must say that our two favorites were the Highland Park and the Cragganmore. The Highland was malty and caramel with a tinge of smoke that came at the end of the taste and lingered lightly on the tongue. The Cragganmore had neither peat nor strong smoke and was warming from mouth to tummy. The taste was dry with the most modest whisper of smoke, herbal notes reminding us of fresh cut grass and sweet caramel tones blending together in an overall pleasant scotch.

We also enjoyed the nibbles at the bar. One of the Hedonists prefers the Shepard's Pie over any other offering. The seasoning throughout the dish ties the richness of the lamb and sauce together well with the simple mash topping. A small side of cabbage, carrots and celery share space with a pie that is certainly enough to feed two – if the first person is willing to share. 
The rest of the menu has pub favorites like wings, artichoke dip, a cheese plate, bangers and mash, fish and chips, and a variety of sandwiches and burgers. The staff if affable and quick, so you'll certainly enjoy your time there. If you happen to skip over there on a Friday or Saturday we do suggest slipping into the comedy show. Be warned however that Friday is open mic night so you may be treated to some stellar routines or as we have sometimes found, middle aged men with artificially enthusiastic spouses cheering them on. But – you can certainly fortify your funny bone with one of the tap beers or Scotch whiskies.

The Hedonists agree that a stop over at the Dubh Linn is a must when you are in Duluth.

Get your Derby on!

This Saturday is the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. This is an exciting time for us because there is so much to enjoy - off track betting, parties, fancy hats and of course bourbon! Horse racing is called the "Sport of King's" and we at the Hedonistic Bar may not be aristocrats, but we can certainly drink like we are. We've looked around and dusted off a recipe for a simple Mint Julep.

20 fresh mint leaves
1/4 oz. simple syrup
2 oz. Old Heaven Hill Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Place mint leaves and simple syrup in a julep cup or medium glass. Muddle mint and simple syrup until fragrant. Fill cup half way with crushed ice. Pour bourbon over top and fill cup to the top with more crushed ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a straw cut so that your nose is just above the mint sprig.

Now isn't that pretty? A cup frosted on the sides from the ice and a sprig of mint on top.....mmmm.....tasty........

And while we are talking about Mint Juleps, we need to mention Kentucky Derby inspired nums from the folks at Maker's Mark. We attended a Maker's Mark event a week ago for Maker's Mark Ambassadors. The reps brought up a great idea to use mint chocolate ice cream doused in bourbon as an alternative to the traditional Mint Julep - and we liked it! True, there is nothing that compares to a well crafted Mint Julep but what do you do when you can't get fresh mint or your crushed ice is more like chunky shards because all you did was smash a bag of ice with a hammer? You improvise! This is a quick and easy way to get that cold, minty taste mixed with your bourbon. "Yeah, but there's chocolate chips" you say. And we say - everything's better with a little chocolate *wink*

Cheers!

A Hedonistic Bar Original

Station 8

As most any firefighter knows, where there is smoke, there is usually fire.  That holds true for this cocktail that I created to honor those first responders who work long and hard to protect us all.

2 ounces High West Campfire Whiskey

1 ounce Carpano Antica

¼ ounce Heering cherry liqueur

½ dropper Bittercube Cherry Bark Vanilla bitters

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and stir gently until well chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish by flaming a zest of lemon into the cocktail.

Cheers!