Swapping bourbon for hand sanitizer, more Kentucky distilleries join fight against coronavirus
More Kentucky distillers are jumping in on the effort to produce hand sanitizer, which has been in short supply as the nation responds to the coronavirus outbreak.
The government aid package signed Friday waived the excise tax on alcohol being used for sanitizer, which may have spurred some new distilleries to join the endeavor.
Sazerac, which says it is the largest producer of distilled spirits in North America, announced Friday that Franklin County-based Buffalo Trace had kicked off the company’s production with its initial run of sanitizer on Friday.
The company said other plants around the country are also gearing up to make sanitizer too.
“We have seen the great need for hand sanitizer from industries across the board – many of these organizations are desperate, as supplies have dwindled,” Matt Maimone, Sazerac’s chief operating officer, said in a news release. “We are adding production capacity to cope with the massive industrial demand. We have received requests to date for over five million bottles of sanitizer, which we are prepared to meet, and possibly more, across our sites in North America.”
The company said it is making sanitizer for “some of the world’s largest organizations in healthcare, government, military, retail, distribution, airline, pharmacy, and banking industries.”
Businesses that need industrial hand sanitizer can fill out an online request form or email info@sazerac.com. The form indicates that Sazerac is assessing demand and plans to sell the sanitizer.
Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery, a Pikeville distiller operated by Alltech, has also begun producing sanitizer that will be donated to local organizations, the company said in a news release. The company’s mainstay products include craft beer and Kentucky moonshine.
Dueling Barrels planned to distribute its first batch of sanitizer to first responders on Friday.
“Dueling Barrels’ sister distillery, Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., is also distributing hand sanitizer and will be supporting the effort in Pikeville as both locations work to ramp up production,” the release stated. “Team members are working with city leaders to identify organizations in need. The next batch will be produced and delivered next week.”
The company said its sanitizer contains “80% alcohol, aloe vera gel and a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, along with natural ingredients added for scent.”
“It is during these difficult times that the enduring nature and compassionate spirit of our neighbors emerge,” said Alltech co-founder Deirdre Lyons. “We want to do our part to support those working on the frontlines to keep the community healthy and safe.”
Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, Rabbit Hole Distillery and Wilderness Trail Distillery in Danville are among other Kentucky distilleries that have been making hand sanitizer to help in the fight against COVID-19.
This story was originally published March 28, 2020 at 6:52 PM.
