BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: R. Duke Co. for Gonzo Whiskey Co.
- MASH BILL: 95% Rye | 5% Malted Rye
- AGE: Around 6 years
- YEAR: 2025
- PROOF: 95 (47.5% AVB)
- MSRP: $69
- BUY ONLINE: Gonzo Online Whiskey Shop
STEVE’S NOTES
SHARE WITH: American whiskey lovers, especially those who might be new to rye. This contains many common rye flavor and aroma virtues delivered in a soft and approachable liquid. It’s an easy drinker, and I think those often are overlooked by people in my line of work.
WORTH THE PRICE: It’s a little high for a young rye lacking provenance and complexity, but that’s often the going rate for sourced craft whiskey. I do like this bottle, but were I considering buying it, I’d be more interested at a lower price.
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar. Try before you buy.
OVERALL: A phrase spoken occasionally in the industry is, “If you must source whiskey, source well.” Gonzo whiskey has chosen nicely with this whiskey. This is well made and balanced, a likable neat pour that will serve perfectly in lower ABV cocktails (sub 100 proof; I lean toward 100 proof and up). Some would call it sessionable.
Pardon the interruption: The Fear and Loathing brand story is discussed in my previous review about its wheated bourbon. If interested, click here to read that.
The nose is a pleasant blend of caramel corn, cotton candy, mint and a little burnt orange peel. The palate is bolder with dark caramel, roasted corn, more mint and cherry Lifesaver. Again, quite nice. Nothing to dislike at all.
But I would, however, like more age and proof to create and sustain more complexity. Especially in the spirit of Hunter S. Thompson’s gonzo journalism, I hoped for something a little more rowdy, edgy and unpredictable. But regular whiskey drinkers know that such attributes are closely wed to maturity, which is expensive to create for new brands.
BRAND NOTES
Made with Gonzo Whiskey barrels, distilled and aged using a 95% rye mash bill, Fear & Loathing Rye Whiskey is a complex rye delivering notes of dark fruit, cinnamon, and herbal spice, developing into a full-bodied profile that’s anything but straightforward, with a finish that lingers.
Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.
