Bourbon Row Vintage T-Shirt

Not available in stores

This popular t-shirt pays homage to the famous Whiskey Row, in Louisville, Kentucky. Be sure to pack this tee on your trip.

Astonishingly, Whiskey Row was almost lost to history -- twice! But more on that in a moment.

The row is a block of buildings between 101 to 133 West Main Street, built between the early 1850s to about 1905. The buildings, with cast-iron storefronts, were the offices and warehouses of the bourbon industry.  

Prohibition

Prohibition pummeled the alcohol business; many distilleries were closed, their craft forgotten or lost. Old Forester which was located here on Main Street, was one of the few to stay in business, having been given one of the six licenses to manufacture whiskey for medicinal purposes.

After Prohibition

When the dry years came to an end and federal prohibition was repealed, the companies that had the existing licenses had the leg up, although it would take a while to ramp up production, which had to include the aging process. Whatever was being distilled would take a while before it was ready to sell. Then came the rumblings of another world war and shortages of supplies, including grains.

After World War II

Bourbon got back to being America's whiskey during the fifties and sixties. It was the drink of the man in the grey flannel suit. The TV series Mad Men showed us the ad men with bars in their offices, making their Old Fashioneds. 

The downfall

As the 1960s waned, the new generations didn't want their "father's Oldsmobile."  Vodka, for example, was clear, "light," "hip," easy to mix with just about everything; whatever flavor you wanted. There were brief, ill-advised attempts to market an unaged "light" whiskey, which was as terrible as it sounds, but bourbon was going out of fashion. America's whiskey, pummeled by Prohibition, thrown about by in the war years, was knocked out by the 1970s. 

But everything old becomes new again and we know that bourbon has made an extraordinary comeback.  The 21st century, rediscovered the tasty juice, and it's the proverbial Oldsmobile for both men and women. 

Saved from demolition

By 2011, bourbon was huge, yet that's when Louisville's dilapidated Whiskey Row was scheduled to be demolished. The row was saved when the developer, preservationists, and the City came to an agreement. It's now know as the Whiskey Row Historic District. A great tourist attraction.

In 2015, three of the buildings were partially destroyed in a fire. The fire had begun in the basement of one of the buildings during renovation.

Old Forester is once again located on the revitalized street. Take the distillery tour then go across the street to Merle's. Try the candied maple bacon.

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