|
Join The WineKnitter in exploring the world of Wine, Spirits, Food, Travel and much more! |
|
In September of 2019, I embarked on a whirlwind tour of distilleries located throughout the state of Virginia. I met with 25 distillers and toured numerous distilleries. My big take away from this trip (aside from the amazing spirits) was the overall emphasis on community spirit and a palpable non-competitive support system between the distillers. They all share the same goal and passion for the industry and are dedicated to working hard to promote Virginia Spirits. It is quite awe-inspiring! What is also awe-inspiring, but not surprising is how many of these distilleries have opened up their hearts and turned their businesses into the manufacturing of hand sanitizers.  If anyone had asked me several months ago if I would be interested in covering a story about distilleries making hand sanitizers, I would have laughed. But here we are today in the middle of a pandemic of epic proportions and it is no laughing matter. Hundreds of distillers across America are switching production from spirits to making hand sanitizer and providing front-line healthcare workers, first responders, hospitals and their communities with a much-needed product during the COVID-19 pandemic. With column stills and other necessary equipment already in place, the transition is easier, even though necessary adjustments need to be made to comply with FDA and WHO. According to federal and WHO guidelines, the recipe for hand sanitizer calls for 80% ethanol (which is highly flammable), water, hydrogen peroxide and glycerol. Fortunately, distillers are prepared and used to working with high-grade alcohol of which there are strict regulations that need to be followed. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau that oversees the spirits industry amended parts of the law on March 18th waiving the requirements that distilleries must obtain permits to produce hand sanitizer. This has made it easier for more distilleries to begin production. Here are some thoughts shared by two distilleries in Virginia who are now making hand sanitizer. Vitae Spirits This is a family-owned crafts distillery located in Charlottesville, VA. The distillery was founded by Ian Glomski, Ph.D., former Professor of Microbiology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. His specialty is infectious diseases. Vitae translated means “of life”. The distillery’s main focus is rum, but they also produce gin. And I can attest to the quality of the many delicious varieties of rum that I sampled with Ian.  Ian Glomski Photo credit: Penny Weiss September/2019  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Today the copper stills are being put to another use. Ian said, “At some level, it hurts me to turn our tasty rum and gin into sanitizer, but in times like this it's the right thing to do. We focus our hand sanitizer delivery to non-profit and front line organizations that are directly fighting the pandemic at a number of different levels, i.e. health care providers/food services, etc. We also reserve a small portion for our customers as a thank you for their patronage. I look forward to the day we are laughing and drinking our spirits with a crowd of friends again.” With the scarcity of hand sanitizers available to the public, Vitae made a valid and helpful suggestion on their website. Why didn’t I think of this? “REMEMBER: Hand sanitizer is a backup measure for washing hands thoroughly with soap and water and should be reserved for times when one does not have access to soap and water. Please consider carrying a bar of soap and a water bottle with you instead of relying on hand sanitizer.” KO Distilling Bill Karlson and John O’Mara, life long friends, joined forces in 2013 to make spirits using local ingredients with the intent of embracing the local community with their new adventure. Bill is CEO & Marketing/Sales Director and John is President and Head Distiller. The above photos were taken in September/2019. From left to right is Bill Karlson and John O'Mara. Photo credit: Penny Weiss KO Distilling was incorporated in 2013 and construction began in 2015 to create a state-of-the-art production facility and local tourist attraction in Manassas, VA. After initially offering un-aged whiskey and gins, Bill and John produced their first aged spirit in November 2016 called Bare Knuckle American Wheat Whiskey. I had the opportunity to taste a variety of their whiskey and bourbon while visiting the distillery. On March 12, 2020, Bill Karlson closed the distillery and tasting room to the public to protect the health and well being of his employees and customers. Bill said, “During the ensuing weeks, the severity of the pandemic and, importantly, the demand for hand sanitizer became clear, and we knew we had to join our distillery colleagues in producing this important tool for first responders. When coming up with a name for our hand sanitizer, it was fitting for us to use Bare Knuckle. We are glad to be able to help the community fight the good fight during this coronavirus pandemic.”  Photo is courtesy of KO Distilling The distillery plans to produce approximately 2,000 gallons of Bare Knuckle Hand Sanitizer each week and initially plans to donate supplies to Manassas area first responders, hospitals, charitable organizations, and nursing homes. Additional quantities are being sold through government channels or to essential businesses to help cover production costs and support the continued employment of their 15 employees.
The Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) is tracking spirit makers that have converted their facilities to create hand sanitizer. DISCUS is a national trade association that represents producers and marketers of distilled spirits sold in the United States. They have created a map that identifies which distillers in 50 states have announced their plans to make the sanitizer. Visit their website at www.distilledspirits.org I am sending a huge shout-out and an abundance of gratitude to all distilleries and breweries throughout the USA and beyond that are stepping up, donating and helping to ease the hand sanitizer shortage during this very scary and uncertain pandemic. Bravo! Until next time… Stay Safe, Stay Home and Be Well! Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com For those of you not familiar with whiskey, allow me to give you a very brief description of the subject. Whiskeys are oak-aged spirits usually made from rye, barley, wheat and corn. The production of whiskey can vary depending on the distiller, style made and country of origin. However, the process, which can include malting, mashing, fermentation and distillation are for the most part basically the same. Grains are converted from starch to sugar, fermentation begins and then distillation takes place followed by maturation.  Here are a few examples of whiskeys: To be labeled “Scotch Whisky”, it must be distilled and aged in oak casks in Scotland for a minimum of three years. Malt Whiskey is made with only malted barley and distillation must take place in copper pots. Irish Whiskey, as a rule, is made from a combination of malted and un-malted barley, in addition to other grains. Pot stills and/or column stills are used for distillation. In North America, whiskey can be produced anywhere, but there are strict rules for Kentucky and Tennessee. Bourbon is a whiskey that is made with a mixture of grains. By law, it must contain at least 51% corn. Although Bourbon is produced throughout the USA, the majority is produced and aged in Kentucky. Tennessee whiskey can only be produced in Tennessee. What sets this whiskey apart from Bourbon is that the new make spirit is filtered through sugar maple charcoal prior to oak aging. So, on that note, let’s take a trip to Manassas, Virginia where some mighty fine craft whiskey is being produced at KO Distilling. The “K” is for Bill Karlson and the “O” is for John O’Mara, life long friends who met as classmates at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Although they went their separate ways after graduation, they always stayed in touch. They each had successful careers in the defense contracting industry and both took early retirement. But rather than idling away the hours “fishing”, Bill and John joined forces in 2013 to make spirits using local ingredients with the intent of embracing the local community with their new adventure. KO Distilling was incorporated in 2013 and construction began in 2015 to create a state-of-the-art production facility and local tourist attraction. After initially offering un-aged whiskey and gins, Bill and John produced their first aged spirit in November 2016 called Bare Knuckle American Wheat Whiskey. Bill is CEO & Marketing/Sales Director and John is President and Head Distiller. John graduated from the Moonshine University of Distilling, Louisville, Kentucky in 2013. Bill Karlson and John O'Mara Photos courtesy of KO Distilling I received a sampling of Bare Knuckle whiskeys and was immediately captivated by the labels depicting famous boxers on the front and the interesting text on the back.  Bare Knuckle American Wheat Whiskey is made with 60% wheat, 30% rye and 10% malted barley sourced from local Virginia farms. It is double distilled and aged for 19 months (as shown on the bottle) in charred new American White Oak barrels from Kentucky.  The color is copper with aromas of caramel, vanilla and spice. It has an invitingly warm and rich mouthfeel with lingering notes of butterscotch, spice, toasted wheat and hints of honey. Simply delicious! Alcohol: 45% (90 Proof) SRP: $35.99  The boxer on the front of the bottle is Irish-American fighter, Jimmy Gardner. Quote on the back label: “Daily, you face life’s challenges with your grit, guts and gumption. You get knocked down, take a mandatory eight-count, get up off the canvas and dare to fight again. Yeah, the world’s a tough place, but you’re made of sterner stuff. You’ve got the persistence to endure, to triumph”. Bare Knuckle American Rye Whiskey is made with 100% rye, sourced from local Virginia farms. It is double distilled and aged for 20 months (as shown on the bottle) in charred new American White Oak barrels from Kentucky.  It is a slightly darker copper color than the Wheat whiskey. Heady aromas of toasty oak, floral and spice segue onto the palate with fennel, vanilla, baking spice and a smooth lingering finish. The sweetness is rounded out by oak notes. Alcohol: 45% (90 Proof) SRP: $45.99  The boxer on the front label is African-American world heavyweight champion, Jack G. Johnson. Quote on the back label: “Early Bare Knuckle fighters traveled American byways plying their trade, gaining fame and entertaining the masses. They pushed the boundaries of life. Those who did well, reaped the rewards. KO Distilling is all about pushing those boundaries to fight, to win. As one of KO’s founder’s surname invokes “ Opima Spolia” (The Riches of the Spoils), so does our rye. Bare Knuckle Straight Bourbon Whiskey is made with 70% corn, 20% wheat and 10% malted barley all sourced from local Virginia farms. It is double distilled and aged for 24 months (as shown on the bottle) in charred new American White Oak barrels from Kentucky.  The color is between amber and copper with aromas of sweet corn, caramel and savory smoke. This whiskey packs some heat, but the sweet corn, nutmeg, toffee, spice and oak notes soften the edges. The finish is long and enjoyable. Alcohol: 45% (90 Proof) SRP: $35.99  The boxer on the front label is early 20th-century U.S. champion, Mary “Texas Mamie” Donovan.
Quote on the back label: “For ages, women, like men, have battled for family to make a living, for rights and just causes. Like the American female fighter from the early 1900s who is on our front label, some have ventured into the ring to apply their pugilistic skills – to fight, to win, to advance and prevail. For all those women who work hard every day, we salute you”. KO definitely makes a statement inside and outside the bottle. I must admit that I am not a big fan of whiskey. But after what I sampled today, my palate is quite pleased! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com |
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed