Is bourbon gluten free?

Naturally gluten-free. That is what 2 publishers say about bourbon; their exact words are below. Packaged foods differ, so check the label of the product you buy.

What the sources tell us

None of the publishers cited here discusses bourbon by name. Their statements are about whiskey, whisky and distilled spirits in general.[5][4][3][1][2]

The National Celiac Association says distilled alcohol is considered gluten free even when it is made from wheat, rye or barley. Its reason is that distillation removes the proteins from the starting materials, so no protein carries over into the finished alcohol. Whisky is one of its examples of a pure distilled spirit.[5][3]

A second answer from the association explains how that works. When the mash is heated, the alcohol vaporizes and is captured and cooled, while gluten proteins are heavy molecules that cannot vaporize and stay behind. It names whiskey as an example of 100% distilled alcohol that is considered gluten free.[4]

The exception the association points to is flavoring added after distillation. It says flavored spirits are considered gluten-free unless a gluten-containing ingredient is added after distilling, and that alcohol labels do not have to follow the same labeling laws as food, although the information can often be found on the product website.[4][3]

The Gluten Intolerance Group puts it simply in an article on Irish food: whiskey is distilled, so it is gluten-free. It mentions salmon cured in Irish whiskey and a whiskey caramel sauce on bread pudding as examples.[1]

For people who would rather drink spirits made from gluten-free materials, the group notes that some whiskeys are made with sorghum or corn, and it suggests looking for spirits that are GFCO-certified gluten-free.[2]

What the authorities say

"Distilled alcohol ... is considered gluten free. ... Examples of pure distilled spirits are vodka, gin, whisky, brandy, rum, and tequila."

National Celiac Association · Naturally gluten-free · nationalceliac.org/celiac-disease-questions/is-alcohol-made-from-grain-safe-for-celiacs · fetched 2026-10-23

This source names whisky, a broader term that covers bourbon; the exact words are shown above.

"The same principles can be applied to distilled alcohol such as whiskey or vodka. This is why 100% distilled alcohol is considered gluten free"

National Celiac Association · Naturally gluten-free · nationalceliac.org/celiac-disease-questions/distillation-and-enzymatic-process · fetched 2026-10-23

This source names whiskey, a broader term that covers bourbon; the exact words are shown above.

"Whiskey is distilled so it is gluten-free."

Gluten Intolerance Group · Naturally gluten-free · gluten.org/2022/03/11/gluten-free-irish-cuisine · fetched 2026-10-23

This source names whiskey, a broader term that covers bourbon; the exact words are shown above.

"Distilled spirits are considered to be free of gluten protein ... Pure distilled spirits such as vodka, gin, whisky, brandy, rum, and tequila"

National Celiac Association · Naturally gluten-free · nationalceliac.org/alcohol-on-the-gluten-free-diet · fetched 2026-10-23

This source names whisky, a broader term that covers bourbon; the exact words are shown above.

Sources