Not available in stores
You'll have fun with this high-quality bourbon t-shirt, which imagines the high jinks of bootlegging and speakeasies, during prohibition in the Roaring 1920s. With its vintage look, your friends and curious strangers might just wonder if you're are wearing a tee from a century ago.
A 100-year old shirt advertising "discreet" speakeasy delivery. Perfect!
Prohibition (1920-1933)
America went dry on January 17, 1920 after the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified a year before. It was the first and only Amendment to the Constitution that limited rights, until it was repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933.
As Nucky Thompson declares in Boardwalk Empire, toasting Congress at the time:
"To those beautiful, ignorant bastards!"
Thus started a highly lucrative business for criminal enterprise. Bars, restaurants, and other establishments turned to bootlegging. Speakeasies were the rage.
The Speakeasy was an illicit location that sold alcoholic beverages, and today there are some hip places replicating the history. Perhaps you had to knock a special code on the front door, hidden down an alley somewhere in the town. They were called a "Speakeasy" because it was best to speak quietly about such establishments.
They could be very profitable. And many broke the barriers of racism and sexism, as all races and women were often welcomed. The "progressive" Temperance Movement had progressed in ways that had not been expected. Meanwhile, the drinks continued to pour throughout speakeasies nationwide.
Quality varied greatly, as one would expect: from smuggled Canadian whisky and Irish whiskey, the six distillers in America that were granted licenses to make medicinal stock, to the questionable bath-tub brew.
The Tall Tale
If someone asks you about this t-shirt, maybe say it was found in the attic of relations from Kentucky or Tennessee . Maybe with tongue firmly in cheek, tell them there is still residue on it from when it was washed in a limestone creek.
Tell them much of the history is a mystery, but the tee itself was contraband, worn in the middle of the night by those who delivered the best of the best, when it wasn't allowed. Ask them to note the quality of the product: the "High quality, charred new oak barrels." "The commitment to 51% corn," all among the requirements of America's whiskey, bourbon.
Tell them your tee was once worn by the Roaring Twenties Minute-men/-women who dashed around town and in the countryside, delivering a different kind of Whiskey Rebellion. Then pour one of your favorite bourbon and enjoy.
This tee pays homage to the myths and legends of bourbon.
The Vintage Look
The shirt has a unique distressed, vintage look; cool, subtle, like washed in a creek. Like maybe it's seen a few things. The fabric remains the highest quality (see below).
The T-shirt
Our tees are the highest quality you will find. 100% combed and ring-spun cotton by Bella Canvas, a USA-based company. Feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. It's comfortable and very flattering for both men and women.
Free Shipping -- Please allow from 7 to 14 days for shipping.
• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester)
• Ash color is 99% combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester
• Heather colors are 52% combed and ring-spun cotton, 48% polyester
• Athletic and Black Heather are 90% combed and ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• Heather Prism colors are 99% combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz (142 g/m2)
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
Size guide
XS | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
Length (inches) | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 36 |
Width (inches) | 16 ½ | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 31 |