New Riff Distilling and Rhinegeist Brewing have announced the release of DUET American Whiskey, a collaborative whiskey highlighting the shared use of barley in both distilling and brewing.
The release reflects a partnership between two Greater Cincinnati-based producers, combining Kentucky distilling traditions with Cincinnati’s brewing heritage.
Barley-Focused Mashbill and Unique Aging Process
DUET American Whiskey is produced using a mashbill of 57% malted barley, 37% raw barley, and 6% rye. The whiskey underwent a multi-stage maturation process, with most of the liquid aged in new American oak barrels alongside select Spanish oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. The final blend was married in a large foeder typically used for beer maturation before being re-barreled into used American oak barrels.
Brian Sprance’s Perspective on Collaboration
“This collaboration wasn’t intended to recreate something that already exists,” said Brian Sprance. “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.”
Tasting Notes and Product Specifications
Aged at least six years and bottled at 111.2 proof, DUET American Whiskey is described as featuring fresh barley and bright grain on the nose, with notes of green melon, tangerine, orchard fruit, dark fruit, and leather. The palate presents grain-forward flavors with savory elements, cracker malt, citrus, and sherry influence, while the finish highlights sherry and tangerine characteristics.
Local Collaboration and Release Details
“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 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.”
DUET American Whiskey will be released beginning April 10 at New Riff’s gift shop and select retailers in Ohio and Kentucky, with a suggested retail price of $79.99. It will also be available by the pour at New Riff’s Aquifer Tasting Room and Rhinegeist’s taproom.
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