By Isle of Wight ObserverNavigating Uncharted Waters With True Island Spirit: Isle of Wight Distillery Diversifies to Produce
Hand Sanitiser
In a display of ‘true island spirit’, the Isle of Wight Distillery team has turned its expertise and
knowledge to the production of hand sanitiser for locals in need. The hand sanitiser has been
created using a World Health Organisation recommended formula and is expected to be ready for
distribution by the end of this week.
The initiative has been set up to support the local community, with special priority being given to
key workers and organisations experiencing shortages, such as schools, residential homes, hospices
and postal workers. The distillery will be working with the local council to supply the gel on a not-for-
profit basis to those in need and will also be making donations to vulnerable individuals and
institutions who are doing critical work to support the wider community.
The Isle of Wight Distillery is part of an industry-wide craft gin movement which has seen distilleries
switch production from gin to hand sanitiser to help beat the scourge of coronavirus in their local
areas.
Creator of the distillery’s signature spirit Mermaid Gin, Xavier Baker, said: ‘We’re seeing many Island
businesses responding to the crisis with generosity, ingenuity and community spirit. We hope to be
of service to our local community at this challenging time’. Isle of Wight Distillery co-founder, Conrad
Gauntlett, commented: ‘Putting something back locally has always been part of our motivation for
building the distillery and our brands – in these difficult times, we’re glad we can do something so
immediate and critical to the health of the Island’.
The distillery team is encouraging any organisations in need of hand sanitiser to send requests to
office@isleofwightdistillery.com.
