Kentucky distilleries making donations, hand sanitizer in response to coronavirus
Wilderness Trail Distillery expects to send 4,000 gallons of sanitizer to the state this week. (Photo courtesy of Wilderness Trail.)
As we head into late March, with no end to the coronavirus pandemic in sight, scores of people hunker down at home and wait. And, since it’s Kentucky, it’s reasonable to assume a fair share of bourbon is being consumed in the process.
Well, the distilleries aren’t resting. Many of them have stepped up to donate money to help fund response efforts, while others also are using distilling equipment to make hand sanitizer to help ease a shortage due to the demand created by the pandemic scare. (Too bad they can’t make toilet paper, too.)
But the sanitizer is a big need right now. Bourbon author and guru Fred Minnick playfully tweeted on March 26, “It just occured to me that Kentucky distiller-made hand sanitizer is in more demand than Pappy 23-year-old right now.” That pretty much says it all. And state distilleries are stepping up.
For starters, Louisville-based Brown-Forman Corporation, which owns the Old Forester and Woodford Reserve brands, this week announced a donation of $1 million to help fund the response to the virus and the spread of COVID-19, which already has infected more than 200 Kentuckians and 75,000 across the United States.
The Brown-Forman funds will go toward hospitality industry organizations to help workers get through the extended shutdowns of bars and restaurants, and to the One Louisville: COVID-19 Response Fund, according to a news release. The fund will deploy resources and financial assistance to households, businesses, and community-based organizations working at the frontlines of the outbreak.
Brown-Forman also is exploring additional ways to expand this reach internationally, as it has employees in more than 170 countries.
“As COVID-19 has spread throughout the world, we want to provide assistance to our communities in this time of great need,” Lawson Whiting, Chief Executive Officer of Brown-Forman Corporation, said.
Wilderness Trail among several distilleries producing hand sanitizer
Wilderness Trail Distillery, based in Danville, is using ethanol alcohol to produce hand sanitizer for Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center. The distillery plans to produce 500 gallons a week for the next six to seven weeks, according to a news release.
“If we need to continue from there, we will,” Shane Baker, master distiller and distillery co-owner, said.
A brand representative for Wilderness Trail, Emily Toadvine, tells Hello Louisville the amount of sanitizer to be made and shipped is still “fluid,” but that it will send 4,000 gallons to the state soon and then focus on filling needs in the Danville area.
In addition, beginning March 27, the sanitizer will be sold for $20 (cash) to anyone representing a for-profit business. Discounts apply for larger orders.
Heaven Hill steps up with monetary pledges, sanitizer
Bardstown-based Heaven Hill Brands announced a commitment of financial and physical resources in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The distillery has pledged $400,000 to charities in various markets, including Louisville and Bardstown, with a focus on employee communities and hospitality professionals. One Louisville will receive part of the donation.
Hand sanitizer production efforts will support healthcare facilities, first responders and high-risk populations in cooperation with local and state government, according to a news release. Production will take place at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in downtown Louisville, as well as locations in Texas and Canada.
“As part of our long-term core mission, we also take great pride in our local communities and at a time like this want to provide assistance to those in need,” Max L. Shapira, President of Heaven Hill Brands, said. “We particularly share a sense of community with those affected in the hospitality industry. As a result, our sales teams are championing that effort at the local level in partnership with organizations that support our hospitality family.”
Lexington Brewing & Distilling to produce free hand sanitizer
Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., the parent company of Town Branch Distillery, is using its own alcohol supply to produce hand sanitizer and provide it free of charge, with the first 200 bottles being delivered to city hall in Lexington this week and more batches scheduled for production.
“As the community rallies together amid the adversity caused by COVID-19, we want to do our part,” Mark Coffman, master distiller at Town Branch, said in a news release. “In this small way, we are able to help our neighbors and support the ongoing effort to keep everyone safe and healthy.”
Lexington Brewing & Distilling will continue to produce and distribute their hand sanitizer on a regular basis. They are working with city officials to identify organizations in need. It also will deliver sanitizer. Organizations in need of hand sanitizer can email KentuckyAle@alltech.com to submit a request.
Others
Other distilleries in Kentucky that have announced they will make hand sanitizer include Rabbit Hole Distillery, which is located in NuLu, and Boundary Oak Distillery in Radcliff.
