Duluth Whiskey Project Shares Big Update As They Prepare To Open Tasting Room

Whiskey lovers like myself have been closely watching as the team with Duluth Whiskey Project continues to work on their new tasting room as they prepare to open the space to the public.

News popped up last summer that the business would be opening a combination distillery/tasting room in Duluth's Lincoln Park Craft District. While the work isn't quite complete yet, a recent update from the business is a sign the wait won't be too much longer!

Here's a look at the brand and what we know about their new distillery and tasting room.

What is the Duluth Whiskey Project?

The brand has been around since 2018, officially launching a line of handcrafted flavored whiskeys in early 2019.

Launching with their classic flavors like Honey Whiskey, Mint Whiskey, and Cider Whiskey, they've also been producing a line of very "Minnesota"-named vodka called UFFDA! Vodka.

READ MORE: Did you know the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge has stoplights at the top? Here's what they're for

Kevin, the company's founder and distiller, got his start distilling in Duluth with Vikre, eventually spinning off to his own project. In his products, he has been leaning into the high-quality local ingredients of the region to make their products. As he explains on the company's website, the company uses "home-grown riches that make top-shelf whiskey".

As Kevin explained to WDIO late last year, their new space "is kind of the dream come true finally" as they bring their distilling operations and a new tasting venue together.

Where will the new Duluth Whiskey Project tasting room be?

Their new venue will be a first-of-its-kind distillery addition to a growing Lincoln Park Craft District in Duluth that is home to some similarly-structured brewery/taprooms like Bent Paddle, Duluth Cider, Ursa Minor, and Wild State Cider.

In descriptions I've heard and videos I've seen, their tasting room will in some ways mimic the atmosphere of those taprooms, with a bar, TVs, and an opportunity to sample a lot of craft cocktails made with their whiskeys and vodka.

They will be opening in the On The Limit location, at 2224 West Superior Street in Duluth. This puts them right in the middle of the same neighborhood as the other businesses I just mentioned.

What's the big update? When will they open?

Since starting the renovation project late last summer, the Duluth Whiskey Project team has been sharing a number of updates via their social media. In their most recent update in early February, we got a look at a nearly-finished space.

In the update, they show off the lighting, painted ceiling, and beautiful floors in the main tasting room area. Also highlighted are their fireplace, (nearly finished) rustic bar, and one of their private group spaces.

Get our free mobile app

According to the video, what's left to complete is "a lot of the little stuff", saying the project is moving along quite well. Here's the update:

While the team at Duluth Whiskey Project hasn't given an official timeline for when they'll open yet, to me the looks of the progress keeps them roughly on the same timeline they shared with WDIO back in December. They had shared a hope of being able to open perhaps sometime in February or March.

As we get into the middle part of February, my personal guess is it might be a bit of a stretch for them to be ready to fully welcome the public yet this month. March, though? That seems like a safer bet to me!

I think the venue looks beautiful, and I can't wait to check it out! I'll definitely be keeping an eye on when they plan to open and share the news here on our website.

In the meantime, the team at Duluth Whiskey Project is asking excited supporters to join their Founder's Club, which affords club members a 10% lifetime discount, individually numbered Challenge Coin, and access to a preview event before they open to the public.