Find out if Scotch has gluten, if it’s safe for a gluten-free diet, if your favorites are gluten-free, and what brands to look for.
Do you like to kick back with a glass of Scotch after a long day? If you’re just starting a gluten-free diet, you may be wondering if you can keep up a ritual like this one.
It’s important to know not only what foods are gluten-free, but also what kinds of drinks are safe for this diet as well.
Some alcoholic beverages contain gluten, so it’s wise to do your research before purchasing alcohol when you’re just getting acquainted with a gluten-free lifestyle.
In this post, we’ll talk about Scotch. Specifically, we’ll answer the question “Is Scotch gluten-free?”
This post is part of the Gluten-free Alcohol Series, where we’re going to discuss different types of alcoholic drinks and how they fit into a gluten-free diet.
What is Scotch made from?
Scotch is a type of whisky, made from mainly malted barley, but can also include corn and wheat. According to Thrillist, what makes Scotch whisky different from other whiskey is that it has been distilled and matured in Scotland.
It is said to have more of a “bite” than other whiskey types, and some might say it’s an acquired taste.
There are different types of Scotch whisky, as well: single malt, single grain, blended malt, blended grain, and blended Scotch.
Read on: Is malt gluten-free?
What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in most wheat products, and acts as the “glue” that helps to hold wheat, barley, kamut, spelt, farro, durum, bulgur, rye, and semolina together to maintain their shape.
Gluten is naturally occurring, and therefore is impossible to strip away from the grain. If a grain naturally has gluten in it, there’s no way to make that food gluten-free.
Read on: Is barley gluten-free?
Is Scotch gluten-free?
If Scotch contains barley, it must have gluten, right? Nope! According to Beyond Celiac, pure distilled Scotch is safe for gluten-free diet.
The barley and other wheat that’s included in the mash is removed during the distillation process.
All different types of Scotch whiskey are gluten-free, including single or blended malts, single or blended grain, and blended Scotch.
As long as they are enjoyed in their pure distilled form, without any additives or flavorings, this is safe for a gluten-free diet.
Does Scotch have gluten?
According to the site Scotch Whisky, “Distilled spirits do NOT contain gluten. The process of distillation removes the protein from the grain, so all you’re left with in your glass is alcohol, water and a few congeners that contribute flavour.”
Luckily, Scotch does not contain gluten as long as it is pure and nothing has been added to it, like flavorings or additives.
Gluten-free Scotch
Now that we’ve concluded that Scotch is gluten-free, let’s go over some brands and help you determine if your favorites are safe for a gluten-free diet.
Gluten-free Scotch list
- Johnnie Walker
- Ballantine’s
- Chivas Regal
- J&B
- Dewar’s
- Grant’s
- Bell’s
- White Horse
- Glenfiddich
Gluten-free Scotch brands and varieties
There are loads of different brands of Scotch whisky that are gluten-free (since they all are). Here are some popular Scotch brands and varieties to be on the lookout for next time you’re shopping.
Johnnie Walker
- Johnnie Walker Red Label
- Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Years
- Johnnie Walker Blue Label
- Johnnie Walker High Rye
- Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
- Johnnie Walker Double Black
- Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Years
- Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years
- Johnnie Walker King George V
- Johnnie Blonde
Ballantine’s
- Ballantine’s Finest
- Ballantine’s 12 Year Old
- Ballantine’s 17 Year Old
Chivas Regal
- Chivas Regal 12
- Chivas Mizunara
- Chivas Regal Extra 13 Sherry Casks
- Chivas XV
- Chivas 18
- Chivas Ultis
- Chivas 25
- Chivas The Icon
J&B
- J&B Rare
- J&B Jet
- J&B Reserve
Dewar’s
- Dewar’s “White Label”
- Dewar’s Aged 12 Years
- Dewar’s Aged 15 Years
- Dewar’s Aged 18 Years
- Dewar’s Aged 25 Years
- Dewar’s Aged 21 Year
- Dewar’s Aged 27 Year
- Dewar’s Aged 32 Year
- Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth
- Dewar’s Illegal Smooth
- Dewar’s Portuguese Smooth
- Dewar’s Japanese Smooth
Grant’s
- Grant’s Triple Wood Whisky
- Grant’s Triple Wood 12 Whisky
Bell’s
- Bell’s Blended Scotch Whisky
White Horse
- White Horse Fine Old Blended Scotch Whisky
Glenfiddich Scotch
- Glenfiddich 12 Year Old
- Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel Reserve 14 Year Old
- Glenfiddich 15 Year Old
- Glenfiddich 18 Year Old
- Glenfiddich Blockbar
- Glenfiddich Project XX
- Glenfiddich India Pale Ale Cask
- Glenfiddich Winter Storm
- Glenfiddich Fire & Cane
- Glenfiddich Select Cask
- Glenfiddich Reserve Cask
- Glenfiddich Grande Couronne
- Glenfiddich Grand Cru
- Glenfiddich 21 Year Old
- Glenfiddich The Original
- Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Bourbon Cask
- Glenfiddich Age of Discovery Madeira Cask Finish
- Glenfiddich Distillery Edition
- Glenfiddich Malt Master’s Edition
- Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old
- Glenfiddich 30 Year Old
- Glenfiddich 40 Year Old
- Glenfiddich 50 Year Old
- Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve
- Glenfiddich 1937 Rare
- Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve 1974
- Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve 1975
- Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve 1977
- Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve 1978
I hope if you’re a Scotch fan, you feel confident and comfortable enjoying this drink occasionally on your gluten-free diet. Remember, as long as your Scotch is in its pure distilled form, it is safe for you to enjoy.
Love this post? Check out more from the Gluten-free Alcohol Series.
Wondering which alcohol is safe for a gluten-free diet? Find out in the Gluten-free Alcohol series!
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