Newport, KY — Two beloved Greater Cincinnati-area beverage makers have teamed up to create DUET American Whiskey, a unique collaboration between New Riff Distilling (Newport, KY) and Rhinegeist Brewing (Cincinnati, OH).
Highlighting barley — a key grain in both whiskey and beer — this special-release whiskey blends Kentucky’s distilling heritage with Cincinnati’s rich brewing tradition.
A Natural Collaboration Between Brewers and Distillers
New Riff Master Distiller Brian Sprance, a former brewer himself, partnered with the Rhinegeist team on the project.
“This collaboration wasn’t intended to recreate something that already exists,” said Sprance. “Brewers work with an incredible range of grains, malts, and yeast strains, and with our shared background in brewing, that creative overlap 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.”
Unique Mashbill and Aging Process
DUET American Whiskey features an uncommon mashbill of 57% malted barley, 37% raw barley, and 6% rye.
It undergoes a distinctive aging regimen: the majority rested in new American oak barrels, with select portions in Spanish oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. The final blend was married in a massive foeder previously used for beer maturation at Rhinegeist, then re-barreled into used American oak barrels to harmonize flavors.
Aged at least 6 years and bottled at 111.2 proof (55.6% ABV), DUET offers:
Nose: Fresh barley and bright grain, with notes of green melon, tangerine, orchard fruit, dark fruit, and leathery sherry.
Palate: Traditional grain flavors with delicate savory notes, cracker malt, citrus, and rich sherry influence.
Finish: Lingering sherry and tangerine notes.
Bottle Design and Community Ties
The collaboration extends to the bottle artwork, created by graphic designers Jared Wagner (New Riff) and Chloe Rethman (Rhinegeist), who met while working at FC Cincinnati and were married last May.
“We’re thrilled to add another layer of meaning to Spirit of the Rhine 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.”
Availability
DUET American Whiskey goes on sale Friday, April 10, 2026, for $79.99 per 750ml bottle at New Riff’s gift shop and select retailers in Ohio and Kentucky.
It is also available by the pour in The Aquifer Tasting Room at New Riff Distilling and at Rhinegeist’s Tap Room.
This marks the latest in New Riff’s series of local collaborations, following previous partnerships with Cincinnati brands and Graeter’s ice cream in 2025.
About New Riff Distilling
Fiercely independent and innovative, New Riff Distilling was founded in 2014 in Newport, Kentucky. The distillery uses time-honored sour mash methods and bottled-in-bond standards while creating fresh riffs on tradition. It produces award-winning bourbon, rye, single malt whiskey, and gin. Its flagship Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was named the World’s Best Bourbon at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards. New Riff sources pristine water from a private aquifer well and offers a popular private barrel selection program. Public spaces include the Riff Shop and The Aquifer Tasting Room, featuring cocktails, flights, and rare releases.
About Rhinegeist Brewery
Founded in 2013 in Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, Rhinegeist Brewery (“Spirit of the Rhine”) operates in a pre-Prohibition bottling plant. Ranked as Ohio’s largest craft brewery by volume and 16th largest in the U.S. (2024 Brewers Association report), Rhinegeist crafts beers with spirit and community focus.
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