Staff members of MurLarkey Distilled Spirits celebrate the opening of their independently-own whiskey craft distillery in Bristow, Virginia. (Photo courtesy of MurLarkey Distilled Spirits, LLC.)Northern Virginia residents will soon have increased access to hand sanitizer thanks to a local craft distillery in Bristow.
MurLarkey Distilled Spirits is known for its fine craft whiskeys, but starting this week, to support the “war” effort against the COVID-19 coronavirus, the distillery will be producing and distributing free anti-bacterial hand gel to its community members. “We must all do our part in this war on coronavirus. We are the MurLarkey Family, and we are all in this together," said co-owner Thomas Murray, signing off with, "Sláinte," Gaelic for "to your heart."
Starting Mar. 25, MurLarkey Distilled Spirits will be handing out 8 oz. of ethyl alcohol-based hand sanitizer on a first-come, first-serve basis. After checking updates on social media (to confirm the date and time), each visitor is encouraged to bring a large plastic zip-lock bag to the distillery located at 7961 Gainsford Court in Bristow.
Employees of the distillery will distribute one of the Best Hand Sanitizer Dispenser outside the building, filling people’s bags with little to no hand-to-hand contact. People can then fill their empty containers at home, making it more environmentally friendly. Visitors are encouraged to practice social distancing while waiting in line.
The new distillery at MurLarkey Distilled Spirits, LLC.The craft distillery industry has been reaching out to the World Health Organization and the Federal Tax and Trade Bureau, asking to contribute to the “war effort” by providing this much-needed service. Mar. 19, the two agencies gave their permission, so long as distilleries follow a prescribed formula. These local productions should fill the gap, as sanitizers are more difficult to find in stores.
Craft distilleries, which produce high-proof alcohols, such as whiskey, gin or vodka, are in a unique position to create sanitizer. They have large amounts of ethyl alcohol and facilities primed for production. Harder to find are the other two ingredients, glycerin, and Hydrogen Peroxide; the scarcity of which could hinder production, said Murray, but hopes they become more readily available.
Along with serving their community, co-owners Tom Murray and Jim Larkin intend to help those on the front line fighting the coronavirus such as responders. “We desire to help these folks as best we can,” said Murray.
They are accepting bulk orders from federal, state and local agencies once they can meet production requests. (The distillery may choose to prioritize these orders, which is why it is so important that community members check updates before showing up on Wednesday.)
Selection of "craft" MurLarkey Whiskey by MurLarkey Distilled Spirits.Murray and Larkin hope to serve their Northern Virginia neighbor in Prince William and Fairfax counties, thus they are requiring in-person pickup rather than orders. They are limiting distribution to 8 oz. solution per person or family while supplies last.
Follow MurLarkey on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for updates on availability and other news!
During to social distancing, MurLarkey’s tasting room remains closed, but they continue to sell their whiskey by the bottle. They offer on location and can provide curbside delivery when customers call ahead/
Messages on MurLarkey Distilled Spirits website:
THANK YOU FOR VISITING MURLARKEY.COM
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ ABOUT WHAT MURLARKEY IS DOING TO KEEP OUR PATRONS AND NEIGHBORS HEALTHY REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS.
Dear MurLarkians,
Thank you all for your interest in MurLarkey Hand Sanitizer. The response has been overwhelming both in demand and in your kind notes of support! Thank you!
We will begin production next week and we are striving to accommodate all in need. Many agencies, first responder units, county and state governments have contacted us requesting our help. We are honored and will do what we can to accommodate bulk orders. Please note that our focus remains on our community. Therefore bulk orders will be prioritized: to Virginia, Prince William and Fairfax counties and municipalities and their first responder / medical units who are at the front line including federal agencies operating in our community. If you are the point of contact at one of these groups and are in need of bulk (200 gallons or more), please email us at: bulk.request@murlarkey.com.
To our individual patrons who are in need, we will begin offering 8 ounce Ziploc baggies next Wednesday March 25th. We will be limiting these to one per person until we can ramp up production. These will be on a first come first served basis. We do apologize but we cannot reserve.
If you have not done so, please join our newsletter and / or follow us on social (@murlarkey), as these are the best tools we have available to keep you all up to speed. MurLarkey Newsletter sign-up
Thank you again for all your kindness and support!
Time for Papi and Kevin to crank out some “Papi’s Finest” Hand Sanitizer.
Sláinte (Irish for ‘to your health”)
Tom
Thomas W. Murray
Co-Founder & CEO
MurLarkey
UPDATE: Afternoon of March 20, 2020
Dear MurLarkians,Thank you all for your interest in MurLarkey Hand Sanitizer. The response has been overwhelming both in demand and in your kind notes of support! Thank you!
We will begin production next week and we are striving to accommodate all in need. Many agencies, first responder units, county and state governments have contacted us requesting our help. We are honored and will do what we can to accommodate bulk orders. Please note that our focus remains on our community. Therefore bulk orders will be prioritized: to Virginia, Prince William and Fairfax counties and municipalities and their first responder / medical units who are at the front line including federal agencies operating in our community. If you are the point of contact at one of these groups and are in need of bulk (200 gallons or more), please email us at: bulk.request@murlarkey.com.
To our individual patrons who are in need, we will begin offering 8 ounce Ziploc baggies next Wednesday March 25th. We will be limiting these to one per person until we can ramp up production. These will be on a first come first served basis. We do apologize but we cannot reserve.
If you have not done so, please join our newsletter and / or follow us on social (@murlarkey), as these are the best tools we have available to keep you all up to speed. MurLarkey Newsletter sign-up
Thank you again for all your kindness and support!
Time for Papi and Kevin to crank out some “Papi’s Finest” Hand Sanitizer.
Sláinte (Irish for ‘to your health”)
Tom
Thomas W. Murray
Co-Founder & CEO
MurLarkey
Murray said that people can make hand sanitizer at home so long as they have all the ingredients: ethyl alcohol, glycerin, and Hydrogen Peroxide. He encourages those who can self-produce, to do so.
If anyone has a lead on procuring large amounts of those ingredients, he would appreciate they reach out to him at the distillery.
MurLarkey Distilled Spirits is located at 7961 Gainsford Ct., Bristow, VA 20136.
(571) 284-7961 | (571) 284-7982
*Dates are subject to change, follow MurLarkey Distilled Spirits for updates.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L97Ne4N8vc
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