Dry Fly Distilling begins distributing its free hand sanitizer to high-risk workers and facilities

In a matter of days, Spokane's Dry Fly Distilling went from making whiskey, gin and vodka to hand sanitizer.

The distillery received needed approval from two federal agencies early this week and began distributing its "Spokanitizer" by week's end to help meet the increased demand for and shortages of disinfectants amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

"There is no supply. We think it's the right thing to do," says Dry Fly president and co-owner Don Poffenroth. "We're making it by following the World Health Organization formulation for hand sanitizer at 100 percent cost to Dry Fly."

The first batch is reserved for high-risk populations — health care providers, retirement and nursing homes, city workers and first responders — with plans to begin public distribution by Monday.

Anyone in those high-risk categories can request sanitizer at no cost to them by contacting the distillery by email at spokanitizer@dryflydistilling.com. Preorders for the public can be made online at dryflydistilling.com starting Monday, March 23. The distillery is also posting regular updates on its social media pages and sharing the latest via its newsletter.

"We're only allowing two bottles per person, and the whole objective is that we don't have a bunch of people standing here so we're basically doing pick-up by appointment," Poffenroth says.

"We don't know how much we can make a week, but as much as we can without going out of business," he adds.

Many area businesses responded to the distillery's plans by donating supplies to help produce and bottle the sanitizer, which is in a spray form. Dry Fly also received donated essential oils and other ingredients.

The distillery's tasting room is closed for in-person service, but customers can still purchase any of Dry Fly's products to take home by stopping by its East Spokane headquarters, at 1003 E. Trent Ave. Orders can also be placed online, but delivery is limited to customers of age 21 and over who reside in Washington state.

"Come in and visit us and take a bottle home," Poffenroth invites. "We're just working hard. We're not sleeping, just trying to get this done."