Bourbon raised with love and discipline in heavy oak barrels
undisturbed by children or the stress of parenting
Middle Child Mystery
New parents are often told, “Children are like pancakes. You always mess up the first one.” Based on this Pancake Logic, a second or third child would be an improvement, right? The middle child is often a mystery; but then again, so is most of parenting…
The same principles that inspired the previous versions of Fathertime have also guided the creation of our new release, Middle Child Mystery. This endeavor is still just me and Stu tasting barrels and putting together a smooth and delicious bourbon. This batch is just as precious as the previous ones and each bottle is personally signed by me, which was a pain in the ass but totally worth it – much like fatherhood.
Empty Nester (Cask) Strength
As I continue to learn and “do research” on bourbon, I’ve grown to appreciate stronger pours. That’s why I decided to bottle some of Middle Child Mystery at cask strength (~120 proof).
I affectionately refer to this expression as “Empty Nester Strength.” When children finally leave the home, parents enter a unique stage in their journey. While empty nesters are often characterized as being victoriously liberated from parental responsibilities, they sometimes also experience a level of grief. The grip of love and fear that permeates parenting grows a little tighter. And some nights that calls for a stronger bourbon.
Fathertime’s founder/father, Jim Gaffigan
Shipping scheduled for late-May
Precious Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Middle Child Mystery
Hand Selected Spring 2025
46.2% alc. by vol. 92.4 proof 750 ml
60% alc. by vol. 120 proof 750 ml (Empty Nester Strength, estimated proof)
Distilled in Kentucky
Bottled by Fathertime Bourbon, LLC in Bardstown, KY
Firstborn Edition
Spring 2024
Second Child Syndrome
Fall 2024
Second Child Syndrome
Empty Nester Strength
Fall 2024
Twins
Toasted French Oak Finish
Winter 2025
Get these unique square-shaped rocks glasses featuring wise quotes from Jim’s stand-up all about parenthood.
Like every baby, Fathertime bourbon started as just a twinkle in a father’s eye. That eye was mine and like most births it was a whirlwind. Over the last decade my wife Jeannie and I have grown to really “appreciate” an occasional bourbon. I guess having teenagers made us welcome any momentary break from the reality of parenting future adults. If you have children, you know what I mean.
Like many of you reading this, I fell in love with bourbon – the culture, the history, and of course the spirit. And even though I’d been approached by a few big companies, I never seriously considered doing my own “celebrity spirit.” Mainly because I don’t think I’m a celebrity. But also because, even though I was flattered, the idea always felt false. I couldn’t do a tequila, I don’t even drink tequila. Even when I was approached about doing a whiskey, I was still hesitant. I would never want to put something out that I wouldn’t want to drink myself.
After the most recent time I was pitched on a spirits deal, I thought “Why don’t I just try and do something myself? That might make it less cringy and I’d be able to personally guarantee it won’t taste like garbage.” If the whole project fails, at least it will be on me. So I considered it a long shot when I reached out to Stu Pollard, a college friend from Louisville who is an indie film director and also, as it turns out, a fellow bourbon lover. Stu was intrigued by the idea and off we went. And here we are today with Fathertime bourbon.
Stu and Jim in January of 1988 while students at Georgetown University.
I’m (obviously) not a bourbon expert. But I did do my research and I know what I like. I hand picked the bourbon and personally signed every bottle of Fathertime. And no, there isn’t some big spirit company behind this adventure. It’s just me and a buddy from college. We got tons of help from smart bourbon people and we’re proud of what we’ve created. We hope you enjoy drinking it as much as we do.
It’s a gamble but then again so is parenting.
Jim Gaffigan
Is MIDDLE CHILD MYSTERY the next "child" in the Fathertime lineup?
Yes! Like Firstborn Edition and Second Child Syndrome, Middle Child Mystery is the third 750mL bottle in the Fathertime lineup! It is also available in Empty Nester Strength (cask strength).
Will the bourbon arrive in time for Father's Day?
Yes, all pre-orders will arrive in time for Father’s Day. The latest you can order and expect delivery by Father’s Day is June 6th.
What proof is Fathertime bourbon?
The “regular strength” small batch release of Middle Child Mystery is 92.4 proof (46.2% alcohol by volume).
The Empty Nester Strength (cask strength) expression is estimated to be 120 proof (60% alcohol by volume). The final proof for Empty Nester Strength will be determined soon.
What is Empty Nester Strength?
Both variations of Middle Child Mystery start from the same carefully crafted batch. The difference comes down to how much water is added after aging.
The “regular strength” small batch version of Middle Child Mystery is bottled with a traditional amount of water added after aging, bringing the proof down to 92.4 – a smooth, approachable level many bourbon drinkers prefer.
Empty Nester Strength is bottled with no water added—so it’s just how it came out of the barrel. It’s bolder, higher in proof, and packs a bit more punch. As I continue to learn and “do research” on bourbon, I’ve grown to appreciate these stronger pours. That’s why I decided to bottle some of Middle Child Mystery at cask strength (~120 proof).
I affectionately refer to this expression as “Empty Nester Strength.” When children finally leave the home, parents enter a unique stage in their journey. While empty nesters are often characterized as being victoriously liberated from parental responsibilities, they sometimes also experience a level of grief. The grip of love and fear that permeates parenting grows a little tighter. And some nights that calls for a stronger bourbon.
Are these bottles hand-signed by Jim Gaffigan?
I have severe arthritis now, but yes I personally signed each and every bottle.
Can I get Fathertime bourbon where I live?
If you’re age 21 or over, Fathertime’s Middle Child Mystery is available for purchase online for shipment in the following states:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
If you live in Kentucky: A limited number of Second Child Syndrome bottles – both expressions – are currently available for purchase at select Kentucky Kroger Wine & Spirit stores.
If you live in Michigan or Tennessee: We anticipate having Middle Child Mystery bottles on the shelves of selected retailers by early June.
If Fathertime isn’t available in your state and you are interested, contact us here to let us know and we’ll be in touch.
Who is behind Fathertime?
It’s just me, Jim Gaffigan, and my college buddy, filmmaker Stu Pollard. We’ve had tons of help bringing Fathertime to life, but the investment and all decisions were made by us.
What does "precious batch" even mean? The price is making Dad angry?
Fathertime is a “precious batch” bourbon meaning a very limited number of bottles are created. Our bourbon was sourced with the help of several highly regarded master distillers, but I taste and hand-select each barrel that goes into Fathertime. Our label and closure were meticulously designed to make this a bottle you’ll be proud to display on your bar or give as a gift to a loved one. There is no big corporation behind us. Every detail of Fathertime has been curated by me and Stu.
Who are those guys on the bottle?
On the front of this bottle, you will find my grandfather Joseph Patrick Gaffigan, a man I never met but whose sacrifice changed my life. Joseph taught himself to make and sell dentures, breaking a cycle of Gaffigan men working in coal mines that had existed since my family arrived in America in the mid 1800s.
Joseph is the father of my father Michael Ambrose Gaffigan (back label bottom left). Michael was the first in our family to go to college. He pulled our family into the middle class and taught me the value of hard work and responsibility.
On the top of the back label is my maternal grandfather Richard Furlong Mitchell of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Upon arriving in America my mother’s family settled initially in Maine but due to Know Nothings harassment of Irish immigrants they sought safety in “the West” in what is today the state of Iowa.
On the lower right of the back label is a photo of me holding a microphone. And yes, there are more Easter eggs on the label.
What does Fathertime even mean?
This precious batch bourbon is named Fathertime, not after that bearded fella who is the personification of time, nor the special moments a man spends with his children, but for the occasional brief period of peace and reflection every hard-working father earns.
It is my belief that the mother is often the hero of the story. When someone becomes famous, they buy their mom a house. The father is lucky if he gets an invitation for lunch. This bourbon is presented as a tribute or a salve to the unheralded paternal sacrifice of the men who show up and try their best. Fatherhood is the most important job men with children will ever fail at.
Do you offer any Fathertime merchandise?
We don’t recommend drinking Fathertime directly from the bottle but if you have teenagers you may occasionally feel the desire to do so. There are 4 quote tumblers inscribed with parenting lines from Jim Gaffigan. Fathertime Bourbon is dedicated to fathers and all parents. I also understand not all parents drink alcohol but what parent doesn’t enjoy a glass with a quote complaining about parenting.
Does Kelly Clarkson like Fathertime? What about Jimmy Fallon?
Check out our media page to find the answers!
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