Is Whiskey Gluten-Free?

Yes, pure, distilled whiskey (or whisky), even if made with wheat, barley, or rye is considered gluten-free.

Most whiskeys are safe for people with celiac disease because of the distillation process. However, be on the lookout for hidden gluten in whiskeys that add flavorings or other additives after distillation. There is also a risk for gluten cross-contact in facilities that process products containing wheat, barley, or rye.

Common Brands of Whiskey Include:

• Jack Daniel’s – “Jack Daniel’s Black Label Tennessee Whiskey has no carbohydrates (sugar or starch), gluten, fats, or cholesterol, as these are removed in the distilling process. One fluid ounce of Jack Daniel’s contains approximately 65 calories.”
• Crown Royal
• Fireball
• Jameson
• Seagram’s 7 
• Black Velvet
• Johnnie Walker
• Chivas Regal – “The current Chivas Regal product portfolio does NOT contain any of the EU recognized allergens. Although alcohol is made using cereals, gluten protein does not pass distillation and cannot be found in the finished product.”
• Southern Comfort
• Dewar’s

The TTB’s Ruling on Gluten-Free Labeling

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), which regulates most alcoholic beverages in the United States, recently ruled that distilled alcohol, even when made with a gluten-containing grain, can be labeled gluten-free.  Examples include whiskey made from wheat or rye and Scotch made from barley.

The ruling was triggered when the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates most food, clarified its labeling requirements for hydrolyzed, fermented and distilled products. 

“Because distillation removes protein if good manufacturing practices are followed, and because it is possible to verify the absence of protein or protein fragments in these products using scientifically valid analytical methods, TTB will permit “gluten-free” claims on distilled products from gluten-containing grains as long as good manufacturing practices are followed to prevent the introduction of any gluten-containing material into the final product,” according to the TTB.

Companies that make distilled alcohol have to be able to prove, upon request, that there is no protein in the distillate or any added ingredients and that precautions have been taken to prevent cross-contact, including from storage materials.

Additionally, the TTB continues to permit the term “gluten-free” on labels and in advertisements for alcohol beverages produced without gluten-containing grains or other ingredients containing gluten, provided the industry member takes appropriate measures to ensure that its raw materials, ingredients, production facilities, storage materials, and finished products were not subject to cross-contact with gluten. Examples include vodka made from corn or potatoes. 

Any information on the gluten content of particular brands shared above was obtained during the last update of this page. Be sure to check with the manufacturer for the latest info or if you have any questions.

Learn more about gluten and alcohol in this section from Answers from a Dietitian.