Jim Gaffigan Unveils His Bourbon-Inspired Comedy Special Live From Old Forester The Bourbon Set
Comedian Jim Gaffigan has launched a new whiskey-themed comedy special titled Live From Old Forester: The Bourbon Set, now available to watch on YouTube. He filmed the special at The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts in Louisville, Kentucky, where the stage was lined with oak barrels to emphasize the bourbon-centric theme.
The idea for this special grew out of Gaffigan’s deep dive into the world of bourbon over the past few years. His exploration eventually led him to develop his own small-batch bourbon brand called Fathertime, created in 2024.
Gaffigan teamed up with long-time college friend Stu Pollard to bring Fathertime Bourbon to life. The bourbon is released in small batches every spring and fall, and it is described as a high-rye Kentucky bourbon with a label featuring Gaffigan’s paternal grandfather.
He says Fathertime was inspired by the concept of giving hardworking fathers a brief moment of peace and reflection. The project merges his interest in whiskey with his comedic takes on parenting.
Discussing the new special, Gaffigan explained that “Stand-up is all self-assignment,” and in this case, he let his passion for bourbon guide him. He even joked that he’s not sure whether bourbon has become a true passion or simply a mid-life crisis, but either way, he’s embraced it.
Because the material is highly niche and aimed directly at bourbon enthusiasts, he decided not to release the special through a major streaming platform. Instead, he preferred putting it out freely on YouTube so it could reach the people who would appreciate it most.
The special was directed by Mike Lavin and produced by Stu Pollard, continuing the long-time collaboration between Gaffigan and Pollard. Executive producers include Jim Gaffigan, Jeannie Gaffigan, and Alex Murray, with production handled by Chimichanga Productions, 3 Nuts Studios, and Lunacy Unlimited.
Gaffigan’s career continues to be one of the most decorated in comedy. He is an eight-time Grammy nominee, a three-time Emmy-winning touring performer, a multi-platinum-selling recording artist, and a two-time New York Times best-selling author. His tours regularly place him among the top ten earning comedians listed by Pollstar.
In winter 2023, he debuted his 11th comedy special The Skinny on Hulu, which became the platform’s first original stand-up special under the Hularious banner. Since its release, clips from The Skinny have accumulated nearly 100 million online views.
Gaffigan is currently performing on his Everything Is Wonderful Tour, continuing his run as one of the most consistent comedians in the industry. He is represented by UTA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Schreck Rose Dapello.
For those who want to explore more about Jim Gaffigan’s work, tour dates, or bourbon ventures, you can visit his official website at
JimGaffigan.com.
