Jameson Irish whiskey is one of the most popular Irish whiskeys in the world. It has a smooth, sweet taste that makes it easy to drink neat or use in cocktails. For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, an important question is: is Jameson gluten-free?
The short answer is yes, Jameson Irish whiskey is considered gluten-free. Jameson is made from a gluten-free grain (barley), processed at a dedicated gluten-free distillery, and tested to ensure there is no detectable gluten. However, it is important for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to review the testing protocols and make their own informed decision.
In this article, we’ll cover the following topics:
- How whiskey is made and why Jameson starts gluten-free
- Jameson’s distillation and processing standards for gluten
- Third-party testing results for gluten in Jameson
- What experts and celiac organizations say about whiskey being gluten-free
- Tips for those with celiac disease regarding Jameson and whiskey in general
So if you’ve been wondering “is Jameson gluten free?” read on for the key facts and gluten testing results.
How Whiskey is Made
To understand if Jameson contains gluten, it’s important to understand how whiskey is made in general. Here is a quick overview of the whiskey making process:
- The grain “beer” is created by cooking grains in water. This converts the grain starches to sugars.
- Yeast is added to ferment the sugars into alcohol. This “beer” has about 10% ABV.
- The beer is distilled to increase the alcohol concentration, typically to around 70% ABV.
- The distilled spirit is aged in oak barrels for flavor.
- The aged whiskey is diluted down to drinking proof before bottling, typically 40% ABV.
So if the original grains used to create the beer are gluten-free, and no gluten containing grains are added later, the resulting whiskey should also be gluten-free.
This is the case with Jameson, which starts gluten-free.
Jameson Starts Gluten-Free
Jameson is made from malted barley, water, and yeast. No wheat, rye, or other gluten-containing grains are used.
Barley contains gluten, but the gluten protein structures are broken down in the malting process. So malted barley itself is considered gluten-free according to experts.
Therefore, Jameson Irish whiskey starts out as a gluten-free beer before distillation.
Distillation Removes Gluten
The next key part of making Jameson gluten-free is the distillation process.
Distillation involves heating the beer to boil off and separate the alcohol from the solids, including any residual gluten proteins. This process removes nearly all gluten from the final spirit.
Studies show distillation removes over 99.5% of gluten from the final distilled spirit when done properly.
Jameson’s Distillation Process
Jameson Irish Whiskey takes additional steps during distillation aimed at making it as gluten-free as possible:
- Jameson distills their whiskey 3 times for a purer spirit.
- Their column stills use a perforated plate design that further separates solids and gluten from alcohol vapors.
- Jameson redistills the final spirit before aging and bottling for extra gluten removal.
These extra distillation steps maximize removal of any traces of gluten.
Gluten Testing Results
In addition to its gluten-free ingredients and distillation process, Jameson Irish Whiskey is tested for any traces of gluten down to below the international standard for “gluten-free” labeling.
Here are the key details on their testing protocols and results:
- Jameson has their whiskey periodically tested by two third-party laboratories, uPurpose and medall Healthcare.
- The latest gluten test results show no detectable gluten down to 10 parts per million (ppm).
- This is below the international standard for gluten-free labeling, which is 20 ppm.
- Jameson’s testing also shows no detectable traces of wheat, rye, or barley.
Based on these rigorous third-party lab results, Jameson Irish Whiskey meets the requirements to be labeled gluten-free in most countries.
Here is a summary of their latest testing results:
| Laboratory | Gluten Detected | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| uPurpose | Below 10 ppm | Below 20 ppm |
| medall Healthcare | Below 10 ppm | Below 20 ppm |
As you can see, two independent labs confirm Jameson Irish Whiskey tests well below the 20 ppm cutoff to be considered gluten-free.
What Experts Say
Based on the distillation process and testing protocols, most experts agree whiskey made from gluten-free grains like Jameson is safe for those with celiac disease.
Here is what some leading gluten and celiac disease organizations say about whiskey:
Beyond Celiac
Beyond Celiac, a leading non-profit for those with celiac disease, states:
“Distilled alcohols that are made from gluten-containing grains are also safe. The distillation process removes the gluten protein from the final product.”
Their experts consider whiskey from gluten-free grains to be safe for those with celiac disease.
University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center
The University of Chicago’s Celiac Disease Center writes:
“Distilled beverages have NO detectable gluten. This includes liquors such as whiskey, brandy, vodka and gin. Individuals with celiac disease can safely consume these beverages.”
They consider any properly distilled whiskey to be safe, even those made from gluten grains.
Celiac.com
Celiac.com is a top website for those with celiac disease. Their team of gluten experts say:
“Whiskey is produced by distilling fermented mash. The distillation process removes gluten protein from the final product, rendering whiskey gluten-free.”
So leading gluten and celiac organizations agree even whiskeys made from gluten grains are safe due to distillation removing gluten. Whiskeys like Jameson that start gluten-free are considered very safe.
Is Jameson 100% Gluten-Free?
While Jameson Irish Whiskey tests below the limit of detection and can be labeled gluten-free, no gluten testing can guarantee a product is 100% gluten-free.
Small amounts of gluten particles could get transferred to whiskey barrels and bottles during processing and bottling. While unlikely, those extremely sensitive could react to these trace amounts.
So while considered safe for the majority of those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, some experts recommend those who react to tiny gluten traces (below 5-10 ppm) use caution with whiskey, including Jameson. Using gluten-free vodkas as a substitue would be a lower risk option.
Tips for Those with Celiac Disease
Here are some tips for those with celiac disease considering Jameson or other whiskeys:
- Review Jameson’s distillation process and latest third-party testing results.
- Start with a small serving to see how your body reacts initially.
- Pick Jameson whiskey products processed separately in their dedicated gluten-free facilities.
- Stick to vintage bottles processed before gluten grain whiskey was added to the facilities.
- Those highly sensitive may want to choose a gluten-free vodka instead.
While Jameson takes steps to avoid cross-contamination and ensure no detectable gluten, making your own informed decision is important.
The Verdict on Jameson
Based on the distillation process, testing results, and expert opinions, Jameson Irish whiskey is considered gluten-free and safe for the majority of those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. However, it may not be 100% gluten-free for those highly sensitive.
Jameson starts gluten-free, uses a distillation process to remove gluten, and tests below 20 ppm with no detectable gluten or gluten grains. Experts agree properly distilled whiskey is safe for most with celiac disease.
However, potential trace amounts in processing require judgment for those who are highly sensitive. Starting with a small serving or choosing another gluten-free spirit may be warranted.
Overall, Jameson Irish whiskey takes the proper steps to be considered gluten-free by most standards. But reviewing the procedures and making an informed decision is still recommended especially for those sensitive to traces of gluten.
Conclusion
In summary, Jameson Irish whiskey is made without gluten-containing grains, uses a distillation process that removes gluten, and tests below 20 ppm for gluten content by third-party laboratories.
Leading celiac and gluten intolerance experts consider whiskey made properly from gluten-free grains to be safe for most people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
However, those highly sensitive should use caution and review procedures, as trace amounts of gluten could potentially contaminate during processing. Trying a small serving first or choosing a vodka made from other gluten-free grains may be a lower risk option for those highly sensitive.
Overall, Jameson takes appropriate measures during distillation and processing to make their whiskey gluten-free. But reviewing the protocols and consulting your healthcare provider is recommended, especially if you are highly sensitive. While considered safe for most, trace gluten exposure is possible with whiskey.