[Pre-order] Fathertime Bourbon Empty Nester Strength “Middle Child Mystery” (signed by Jim Gaffigan)

Estimated shipping end of May

Proof: Approx 120 proof

Source: Kentucky Straight Bourbon

About the product: Fathertime is a Kentucky bourbon from comedian Jim Gaffigan. Middle Child Mystery is his third expression, sold as a 750ml bottle and hand-signed by Jim himself.

Jim has grown to appreciate stronger pours, which is why he decided to bottle some of Middle Child Mystery at cask strength (~120 proof), affectionately referring 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.

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? Not if you listen to birth order conspiracies (aka “theories”). According to those, the middle child has "issues" because they don't receive enough attention. Like most parents, Jim would never ignore one of his children. Unless they were asking for a screen. Or money. Or if he was watching football. Well, despite all this birth order nonsense (“theory”), Jim’s middle child somehow earned the right to be his phone's wallpaper image, much to the dismay of the other pancakes. The middle child is often a mystery; but then again, so is most of parenting... which is probably why Jesus invented bourbon.

The same principles that inspired the previous editions of Fathertime have also guided the creation of this new release, Middle Child Mystery. This endeavor is still just Jim and Stu tasting barrels and putting together a smooth and delicious bourbon. This batch is just as precious as the first, and each bottle is personally signed by Jim, which was a pain in the ass but totally worth it – much like fatherhood.

Jim fell in love with bourbon after he and his wife Jeannie learned an occasional drink provided a momentary break from parenting teenagers. If you have children, you understand. To those who humbly accept the paternal responsibility, we raise a glass to you. A father’s joy is earned. 

Want more Fathertime? Here’s the regular strength version.