Bourbon is a type of US whiskey made from a mash bill of at least 51% corn. Moreover, it must also be aged in brand new charred oak barrels for at least two years, distilled to no more than 160 proof–80%, and bottled at 80 proof–40% ABV or more.
All bourbon is considered gluten-free because the gluten protein is fully removed during distillation. Still, some people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity may have concerns about cross-contamination during production.
Therefore, they can consume some of the gluten–free bourbons recommended in this article. Let’s look at some of the best gluten-free bourbons and make a pick.
Also check: 15 Gluten Free Wine Brands
13 Gluten-Free Bourbon Brands
Brands that make gluten-free bourbon include Maker’s Mark, Basil Hayden’s, Woodford Reserve, Four Roses, Bulleit, Knob Creek, Wild Turkey, and more.
Here’s a list of the best gluten-free bourbon brands.
1. Maker’s Mark
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Maker’s Mark is a brand of bourbon produced in Loretto, Kentucky. The bourbon is made from corn, red winter wheat, and malted barley.
It’s aged for around six years in charred oak barrels. Maker’s Mark is bottled at 45%ABV. The bourbon is known for its distinct taste, which is a result of its unique recipe and aging process.
The primary grain used in the production of Maker’s Mark is corn, which is naturally gluten-free.
Additionally, the distillation process used to make Maker’s Mark further reduces any gluten that may be present in the grains.
However, since there may be other gluten-containing ingredients or cross-contamination during production, it’s always best to confirm with the company.
More: 15 Best Keto Mixed Drinks to Order At a Bar
2. Basil Hayden’s
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The Jim Beam distillery produces basil Hayden’s Bourbon.
Like Maker’s Mark, it’s also considered to be gluten-free. The primary grain used in the production of Basil Hayden’s is corn, which is naturally gluten-free.
The distillation process used to make Basil Hayden’s further reduces any gluten in the grains. Like any other product, it’s always best to check with the company for confirmation.
Basil Hayden’s Bourbon is known for its unique recipe, which uses a high proportion of rye in addition to corn, barley, and water; this gives it a spicier, more complex flavor profile than traditional bourbon, which is mostly made from corn.
Basil Hayden’s Bourbon is aged eight years and bottled at 40% ABV.
3. Woodford Reserve
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Woodford Reserve is a bourbon brand produced by the Brown-Forman distillery. It’s also considered gluten-free, like Maker’s Mark and Basil Hayden’s.
The primary grain used in the production of Woodford Reserve is corn, which is naturally gluten-free. The distillation process used to make Woodford Reserve further reduces any gluten that may be present in the grains.
Woodford Reserve bourbon is known for its unique triple-distilled process, aged for a minimum of six years in new charred oak barrels.
The bourbon is bottled at 45.2ABV, and it has a rich and complex flavor profile with a balance of sweet, spicy, and nutty notes.
4. Four Roses
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Four Roses bourbon is produced in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, by the Four Roses Distillery. This bourbon is also considered gluten-free as the primary grain used in its production is corn, which is naturally gluten-free.
Additionally, the distillation process used to make Four Roses further reduces any gluten that may be present in the grains.
Four Roses is known for its unique recipe, combining two mash bills and five proprietary yeast strains; this gives its bourbon a distinct, complex, and smooth flavor profile.
It’s aged for a minimum of five years and bottled at between 40% ABV. Four Roses also produce some limited edition and single barrel bottlings with higher alcohol content.
5. Bulleit
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Bulleit bourbon is produced by the Bulleit Distilling Company, a subsidiary of Diageo. It’s considered gluten-free as the key grain used in its production is corn, which is naturally gluten-free.
The distillation process used to make Bulleit further reduces any gluten that may be present in the grains.
Bulleit’s known for its high-rye content mash bill, which gives it a bold, spicy flavor profile. It’s aged for a minimum of six years and bottled at 45% ABV.
The brand uses a unique recipe with a higher proportion of rye in the mash bill, so it has a distinct flavor profile compared to other bourbons on the market.
6. Knob Creek
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Knob Creek is a brand of bourbon produced by the Jim Beam distillery.
Like other bourbons, it’s also considered gluten-free as the primary grain used in its production is corn, which is naturally gluten-free.
Additionally, the distillation process used to make Knob Creek further reduces any gluten that may be present in the grains.
Knob Creek bourbon is known for its full-bodied flavor, which is the result of being aged for a minimum of nine years in charred oak barrels.
The bourbon is bottled at 50% ABV, higher than most standard bourbons, giving it a more robust and intense taste.
7. Wild Turkey
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Wild Turkey is a brand of bourbon produced by the Wild Turkey Distilling Co. in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.
Like other bourbons, it’s also considered gluten-free as the primary grain used in its production is corn, which is naturally gluten-free. The distillation process used to make Wild Turkey further reduces any gluten that may be present in the grains.
Wild Turkey bourbon is known for its rich and bold flavor profile, resulting from being aged for a minimum of six years in charred oak barrels.
The bourbon is bottled at different proofs, the standard Wild Turkey bourbon is bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV), and the Wild Turkey Rye is bottled at 81 proof (40.5% ABV).
The brand is well known for its strong and intense taste, which sets it apart from other bourbons on the market.
8. Elijah Craig
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Elijah Craig bourbon is produced by the Heaven Hill distillery. Like other bourbons, it’s also considered gluten-free because it’s made from corn, which is naturally gluten-free.
The distillation process used to make Elijah Craig further reduces any gluten that may be present in the grains.
Elijah Craig bourbon is known for its smooth and complex flavor profile, resulting from being aged for a minimum of 12 years in new charred oak barrels. The bourbon is bottled at different proofs.
The standard Elijah Craig Small Batch is bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV), and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is bottled at different proofs ranging from 125-140 proof (62.5-70% ABV).
The brand is well known for its long-aged and high-proof expressions, which give it a rich and intense flavor compared to other bourbons on the market.
9. Evan Williams
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Evan Williams is a brand of bourbon produced by the Heaven Hill distillery. Similar to other bourbons, it’s considered gluten-free as the main ingredient used in its production is corn, which is naturally gluten-free.
Additionally, the distillation process used in making Evan Williams further reduces any gluten that may be present in the grains.
Evan Williams is known for its smooth and well-balanced flavor profile. It’s aged for a minimum of four years, which gives it a rich and complex taste.
Evan Williams is bottled at different proofs, the standard Evan Williams Bourbon is bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV), and Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage is bottled at 47% ABV.
The brand is well known for its smooth and easy-drinking expressions, which makes it a popular choice among bourbon enthusiasts.
10. Jim Beam
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Jim Beam is a brand of bourbon – a product of the Jim Beam American Stillhouse distillery located in Clermont, Kentucky, USA.
It’s considered gluten-free because the primary grain used in its production is corn, which is naturally gluten-free. The distillation process used to make Jim Beam further reduces any gluten that may be present in the grains.
Jim Beam is known for its smooth and balanced flavor profile, resulting from being aged for a minimum of four years in charred oak barrels.
The standard Jim Beam bourbon is bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV) and has a rich and smooth taste with notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak.
The brand also produces a variety of flavored bourbons, such as apple, maple, and Kentucky fire, which have a unique and distinct taste.
11. Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr.Bourbon
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00Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. is a brand of bourbon produced by the Buffalo Trace distillery.
This bourbon is also gluten-free, not just because of corn, which is the primary grain used in its production, but also because of the distillation process used to make Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr; this process ensures that any gluten that may be present in the grains is further reduced.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. bourbon is known for its rich and complex flavor profile, resulting from being aged for a minimum of eight years in charred oak barrels.
It’s bottled at 100-proof (50% ABV) and has a bold and robust taste with notes of vanilla, caramel, and spices.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. bourbon is known for producing a limited number of bottles yearly, making it highly sought-after among bourbon enthusiasts.
12. Old Forester
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Old Forester is Bourbon produced by the Brown-Forman Corporation in Louisville, Kentucky. Like other bourbons, it’s also considered gluten-free as the primary grain used in its production is corn, which is naturally gluten-free.
The distillation process used to make Old Forester further reduces any gluten that may be present in the grains.
Old Forester is known for its rich and smooth flavor profile, which is the result of being aged for a minimum of four years in charred oak barrels.
The standard Old Forester bourbon is bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV) and has a complex and well-balanced taste with notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak.
The brand also produces a variety of expressions, such as Old Forester Statesman, Old Forester 1910, and Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, which have unique and distinct flavor profiles depending on the aging and proof.
13. Koval
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Koval is a gluten-free bourbon distilled, aged, and bottled in Chicago, Illinois. It’s made using a blend of corn and millet. Moreover, it’s aged in oak barrels for at least two years and bottled at 47% ABV.
Koval has a smooth, rich flavor profile with notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak and a slightly sweet and earthy finish with a hint of spice.
The brand is known for its unique flavors, which are derived from the use of millet and the small-batch distillation process. It’s a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail.
Koval bourbon is suitable for people with gluten sensitivities or allergies, as it does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients and is processed in a gluten-free facility.
Related Questions
Is Bourbon Gluten-Free?
Bourbon is made with a mash bill containing a minimum of 51%corn and grains like rye, wheat, and barley.
Corn is gluten-free, but the other grains in the mash bill aren’t gluten–free. Therefore, bourbon is distilled to remove the gluten and make the bourbon gluten-free.
Does Bourbon Have Gluten?
Distilled bourbon doesn’t have gluten and is considered gluten-free, as the distillation process used to make bourbon can effectively remove gluten proteins.
Some bourbon may contain traces of gluten, particularly if it has been made using a gluten-containing grain as a small part of the mash bill.
However, most bourbon is made from at least 51% corn, which is gluten-free, and therefore considered safe for people with gluten sensitivities to consume.
Additionally, a lot of bourbon distilleries and brands also have gluten-free certifications. It’s always a good idea to check the label and contact the manufacturer if you’re unsure whether a particular brand of bourbon contains gluten.
What bourbon is 100% Gluten-Free?
100% gluten-free bourbon is made from 100% gluten–free grains like corn, sorghum, or millet.
Is Maker’s Mark Bourbon Gluten-Free?
The primary grain used in the production of Maker’s Mark is corn, which is naturally gluten-free. Additionally, the distillation process used to make Maker’s Mark further reduces any gluten that may be present in the grains.
However, since there may be other gluten-containing ingredients or cross-contamination during production, it’s always best to confirm with the company.
Can Coeliacs Have Bourbon?
Coeliacs can have pure distilled bourbon because the distillation process used to make bourbon can effectively remove gluten proteins.
However, because of cross-contamination or other gluten-containing ingredients during bourbon production, it’s best to confirm with the company that their bourbon is gluten-free.
Is Jack Daniels Bourbon Gluten-Free?
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey is gluten-free. It’s made from a mash bill of 80% corn, 12% rye, and 8% malted barley.
The gluten proteins are removed during the distillation process, making it safe for those with gluten sensitivities to consume.
Summary
The distillation process removes the gluten proteins, so all bourbon is gluten-free.
However, if you have any concerns about gluten content, check the label or contact the manufacturer for confirmation
Remember that distillation can remove gluten, but cross-contamination can still happen during production, packaging, or storage.
Therefore, always check with the manufacturer for final confirmation if you have gluten sensitivities.
