Louisville firefighters were honored Thursday for their efforts to save the city's Whiskey Row area seven years after the major fire.
The Old Forester Distillery Company released a limited-edition bourbon that was barreled on July 7, 2015 - the day of the fire. The distillery named the 117 Old Forester Series "Whiskey Row Fire."
Firefighters, city officials, business owners and residents gathered to commemorate the fire and honor those who were there according to WDRB.com. Matny of the firefighters responded to the 2015.
"They put their dreams and wallets into this thing, and now, it's burning down," Mayor Greg Fischer recalled of the fire, . "And I said to them, 'This will be the best thing that ever happened to Whiskey Row, this fire.' Because it creates the legend of Whiskey Row and you want to have a legendary development here, saved by legendary people as well."
The special edition bourbon sold out quick to a line of people who wrapped around the block that now boasts bars, a hotel, restaurants and businesses that keep the neighborhood hopping.
A group of bourbon barrels that were sold two years ago saw the money donated to the Louisville Firefighter Disaster Fund.
The remaining barrels were called the 117 Series - Fireman Barrels and were aged for seven years. Firefighters received a tour of the facility and were offered some of the spirits.
The distillery made a donation to the fire department to help firefighters who need assistance.
