Production of Bare Knuckle Hand Sanitizer Begins - KO Distilling

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How KO Distilling is lending its fighting spirit to the front lines against COVID-19

In response to the unprecedented health crisis created by COVID-19, KO Distilling has completed the retooling of the Distillery to enable the production of hand sanitizer. The Distillery is producing 1,500 gallons of Bare Knuckle Hand Sanitizer each week.

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolved, on March 12, with his employees and customers’ health and well-being in mind, KO Distilling’s Co-Founder and CEO, Bill Karlson, closed the Distillery and tasting room to the public. All employees, including distillery-site production and tasting room staff, were provided with work to be done remotely.

“We had been planning some upgrades to the Distillery plant’s chill water cooling system and planned to use the unfortunate closing to have the work done while employees and customers would not be inconvenienced,” said Karlson. “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.”

Putting the Pieces Together

While the plant upgrades were being made, Karlson and KO Head Distiller, Ryan Hendricks, began putting the pieces in place to produce hand sanitizer. This included:

  • Modifying distilling processes and equipment to be able to produce high-proof ethanol needed for hand sanitizer with 80% ABV ethanol
  • Procuring other ingredients including hydrogen peroxide, glycerol, and a denaturant which makes the hand sanitizer ‘Not for Human Consumption” in compliance with FDA and WHO guidance.

About the Hand Sanitizer

Bare Knuckle Hand Sanitizer is available in 5-gallon pails, each of which has a sealed lid with an extractable pouring spout for easy use. The Distillery 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 the Distillery’s 15 employees. Hand Sanitizer inquiries are being managed through the Distillery website.

A 5-gallon Hand Sanitizer pail is being offered at $195.00, but with quantity discounts available. KO will be able to allow buyers to pick up orders at the distillery Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm.

As needed, KO Distilling will arrange for the shipping of palletized pails. Shipping costs to be borne by the buyer. For each emptied, cleaned and dried 5-gallon pail which is returned to KO in good working condition, KO will provide a $10 discount on the purchase of a future hand sanitizer order by the buyer.

Learn more about KO Distilling Hand Sanitizer for sale in Virginia HERE.

And what about the spirits?

While KO is not currently producing its award-winning gins and whiskeys, the Distillery does have 4,000 barrels of aging spirit that will be ready for bottling when the pandemic recedes. KO’s Bare Knuckle Whiskeys and Battle Standard Gins remain available in Virginia ABC stores and throughout DC, MD, and DE through Prestige-Ledroit Distributing Company.

KO has online spirit sales for package delivery HERE.


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10381 Central Park Drive
Suite 105
Manassas, VA 20110



Tasting Room Hours
Friday 1:00 – 8:00 PM
Saturday 12:00 – 7:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Tours Upon Request

Saturday 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 – 4:00 PM


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Tel: (571) 292-1115

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