A small-town distillery is doing what they can in order to help with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smooth 42 Craft Distillery, based in Brownlee, about 60 kilometres northwest of Moose Jaw, is making a rubbing alcohol substitute vodka with 70% alcohol. They are donating the product to emergency services that are unable to access rubbing alcohol due to shortages.

Owner and co-founder of Smooth 42 Sacha Elez said the loss of one of their products from earlier this year has allowed the distillery to take on this challenge.

“Since we launched this product two months ago, we are in a unique position to have equipment that is safe to use with high proof spirits,” he explained. “We have just switched from making the rest of our lineup to making a 70 per cent rubbing alcohol substitute.”

Co-founders Elez and Adam Dombowsky are donating the vodka to any health care or emergency services in Canada that are in need of normal rubbing alcohol supply.

Elez admitted he has a personal reason to be involved in this effort.

“My wife is due to give birth in two months, and if the hospitals are packed like experts say could happen with a virus like this, then that’s bad news for us when it’s time to meet our new baby boy.”

Smooth 42 is also calling on any other distillers that are able to do so to help by either making their own or donating supplies so they can continue making product. However, Elez said he realizes some distilleries may be unable to.