In a new twist on Sonora’s long and storied history with the agave distillate Bacanora, some producers are using their distilleries to make hand sanitizer rather than spirits as the coronavirus spreads through the state.
"This is the most effective way that we think we can contribute to our community right now," said Rodrigo Bojorquez, chair of the company Dalumoro, which owns three Bacanora brands — Kilinga, Mujer de Piedra and Bacanora 42°.
He says after hearing about shortages of medical supplies and protective equipment, the company decided about two weeks ago to start further distilling its Bacanora to make medical-grade antibacterial gel.
So far, the distillery is producing up to 200 liters of hand sanitizer a week, which is being donated to the Red Cross, health clinics, fire stations, orphanages and senior care centers in southern Sonora.
"We’re doing what we can," Bojorquez said. "We have people, some employees, donating their time to make this at night."
He said the company is still producing a small amount of Bacanora, but is focusing about 90% of its production on making hand sanitizer now.
