Orange zest | Summer fruits | Peach tea | Medicinal undertone

Stewed fruits | Kettle corn | Raspberry jam | Brown sugar | Baking spices on the backend

Raspberry | Honey | Orange rind | Dried apricot | Lingering spice

Fathertime Bourbon is a new company and brand created by comedian Jim Gaffigan in partnership with Stu Pollard, a college friend of Gaffigan’s. Launched in the spring of 2024, the brand sources bourbon from an undisclosed distillery(ies) in Kentucky and bottles it in Bardstown. Each batch is denoted with a name and a story from Gaffigan explaining why it displays the moniker it does.

Gaffigan is planning five releases in the series, with each release representing one of his five children, though they are not personally identified with each release. As Gaffigan states, “while I was thrilled to know a new child was on the way, a fear of uncertainty overtook me like a football team facing fourth and long. Parenting is hard. Raising three kids is exponentially harder. But much like going for it on fourth down, when you make it, there is a feeling of invincibility.” Gaffigan goes on to state, “The same principles that inspired the previous versions of Fathertime have also guided the creation of our new release, Fourth & Long. This endeavor is still just me and Stu tasting barrels and putting together a smooth and delicious bourbon. Each bottle is personally signed by me, which was a pain in the ass but totally worth it - much like fatherhood.”

Tying Gaffigan’s personality and humor into the Fathertime Bourbon brand brings fun messaging and a fun label. The bourbon is good quality, and despite its high proof is, in relative terms, lighter on the palate due largely to its ample fruit notes. On the nose, orange zest, summer fruits, and peach tea are underscored by a slightly medicinal undertone. Stewed fruits, kettle corn, raspberry jam, and brown sugar at the midpoint give way to baking spices as the sip rounds into its finish. Raspberry, honey, orange rind, and dried apricot round it out, along with a lingering spice note.

Fathertime Precious Batch Bourbon Empty Nester Strength “Fourth & Long” is a solid pour and nice sipper. It’s also only the fourth batch release from the blending duo, so despite Gaffigan being an established personality, Fathertime Bourbon is just getting started. It’s refreshing to see a celebrity bourbon brand from a celebrity who not only enjoys the spirit, but is actively involved with its creation at the ground level. Based on this, I’m excited to see what Fathertime Bourbon does next.