Two of the Cincinnati-area beverage makers are collaborating to debut DUET American Whiskey, a collaboration between New Riff Distilling and Rhinegeist Brewing. Focused on barley — a primary grain in both whiskey and beer production — this unique whiskey showcases Kentucky’s rich distilling tradition and Cincinnati’s storied brewing heritage.
A brewer before joining New Riff, Master Distiller Brian Sprance welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with the Rhinegeist team on DUET American Whiskey.
“This collaboration wasn’t intended to recreate something that already exists,” Sprance said. “Brewers work with an incredible range of grains, malts, and yeast strains, and with our shared background in brewing, that creative overlap between us and Rhinegeist felt very natural. The result is a whiskey that’s a little unexpected for Kentucky, and a great reflection of what can happen when distillers and brewers who’ve known each other for years come together to create something new.”
Made with an unusual mashbill of 57% malted barley, 37% raw barley and 6% rye, DUET American Whiskey also features an uncommon aging process. The majority of DUET American Whiskey was aged in new American oak barrels, along with select Spanish oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. The final blend was married together in a massive foeder used for beer maturation, then re-barreled into used American oak barrels, allowing the whiskey to symphonize and develop a deeper balance of flavor.
Aged at least 6 years and bottled at 111.2 proof, DUET American Whiskey leads with fresh barley and bright grain on the nose, with notes of green melon, tangerine and orchard fruit alongside deeper dark fruit and leathery sherry. On the palate, traditional grain flavors lead with delicate savory notes, while cracker malt and citrus balance the richness and sherry carries through. Sherry and tangerine dominate on the lingering finish.
“We’re thrilled to add another layer of meaning to Spirit of the Rhine, Rhinegeist’s eponym, when limited quantities of DUET are released across Ohio and Kentucky in concert with our friends across the river at New Riff Distilling,” said Rhinegeist CEO Adam Bankovich. “The project was inspired by the mutual appreciation our teams have for each other, and it is no surprise the past year of collaboration has been so harmonious.”
What’s on the outside of the bottle is as collaborative as what’s inside, thanks to the work of Jared Wagner and Chloe Rethman. Graphic designers for New Riff and Rhinegeist, respectively, the two were married last May after meeting while working at FC Cincinnati.
This release is the latest in New Riff’s catalog of collaborations with beloved local brands. Since its founding, New Riff has strategically partnered with local breweries and food partners on pop-ups in The Aquifer Tasting Room, and in 2025, teamed up with Graeter’s to release Bourbon Ball ice cream made with New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon.
A liquid testament to the delicious, convivial contributions of two Greater Cincinnati favorites, DUET American Whiskey will be available to purchase beginning Friday, April 10, at New Riff’s gift shop and at select retailers in Ohio and Kentucky for $79.99. DUET American Whiskey is also available by the pour in The Aquifer Tasting Room at New Riff and at Rhinegeist’s Tap Room.