Ketel One is a popular vodka brand known for its smooth, crisp taste. Many people choose Ketel One because it is distilled from wheat, which imparts a clean flavor profile. However, some vodka drinkers need to avoid wheat due to gluten intolerance or sensitivity. So does Ketel One vodka actually contain wheat?
The short answer is yes, Ketel One vodka does contain wheat. Ketel One is distilled from 100% wheat. This gives the vodka its signature smooth taste, but it also means the final product contains traces of gluten from the wheat. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid Ketel One and opt for a gluten-free vodka instead.
In this article, we’ll take a deeper look at how Ketel One vodka is made, the role wheat plays, and alternatives for people who need to avoid gluten.
How is Ketel One Vodka Made?
All vodkas start with a base ingredient that contains starch and sugars. This base ingredient is fermented into alcohol. The resulting distillate is then purified through additional distillation and filtration processes.
Most vodkas use cereal grains as the base. Ketel One specifically uses wheat as its base ingredient.
Here are the key steps in how Ketel One vodka is made:
1. The Wheat: Ketel One starts by selecting a specific variety of winter wheat. This wheat is grown in the Netherlands.
2. Milling: The wheat is milled into a fine flour to release the starches and sugars needed for fermentation.
3. Fermenting: The wheat flour is combined with water and fermented. Yeast converts the wheat sugars into alcohol.
4. Distilling: The fermented wheat mash is then distilled in copper pot stills. This removes impurities, concentrating the alcohol.
5. Filtering: The distillate passes through charcoal filters to further refine and polish the vodka.
6. Dilution & Bottling: The filtered vodka is diluted with pure water to reach the desired alcohol percentage. Finally, it’s bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV).
So in summary, Ketel One uses a wheat base, ferments it into alcohol, distills it in copper pots, filters it through charcoal, and dilutes it to 80 proof before bottling. The wheat is essential for providing the distillate that gets purified into Ketel One’s signature vodka.
Why is Wheat Used to Make Ketel One?
Wheat imparts several desirable qualities that make it well-suited for vodka production:
- Flavor – Wheat lends a smooth, crisp taste with hints of grain. It provides a clean canvas for the vodka.
- Mouthfeel – Wheat contributes a rounded, silky texture on the palate.
- Fermentability – Wheat starches and sugars ferment very efficiently into alcohol.
- Availability – Wheat is widely grown in regions like the Netherlands and Midwest United States, making it a reliable base ingredient.
- Familiarity – As a common grain, wheat vodka provides a taste profile that is familiar and appealing to many consumers.
These qualities help explain why Ketel One insists on using 100% wheat to craft their vodka rather than other potential grains like rye or corn. The wheat foundation is intrinsic to Ketel One’s signature taste and consistency.
Why is Ketel One Not Gluten-Free?
Given that Ketel One is distilled from wheat, some people assume that the finished vodka is gluten-free since the distillation process separates out the grains. However, this is not the case.
Here’s why Ketel One still contains traces of gluten:
- Gluten proteins from wheat flour survive the distillation process. Distillation removes most proteins, but some gluten fragments can remain.
- Ketel One does not use a gluten removal process after distillation. Some vodkas use additional steps like filtration through activated carbon to capture remaining gluten particles.
- Independent lab testing shows Ketel One tests above 20ppm for gluten content. Anything over 20ppm is not considered gluten-free.
So despite being distilled, Ketel One still picks up detectable amounts of gluten from the wheat used to make it. People with celiac disease or wheat allergies are at risk of a reaction from drinking Ketel One vodka. Those with gluten sensitivity may also experience adverse effects.
Vodkas Similar to Ketel One But Gluten-Free
If you need to avoid gluten but enjoy Ketel One’s flavor profile, there are some good gluten-free vodkas to consider as alternatives:
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
- Made from yellow corn, not wheat
- Uses a 6-column still filtration process to remove gluten
- Lab tested to below 6ppm gluten
- Has a smooth, creamy mouthfeel like Ketel One
Absolut Elyx Vodka
- Made from winter wheat but uses additional filtration to remove gluten
- Tested below 5ppm gluten
- Has a silky texture and slight fruitiness
Blue Ice Vodka
- Made from Idaho potatoes, a gluten-free base
- Uses a proprietary activated carbon filtration process
- Tests below 5ppm for gluten content
- Imparts a creamy, velvety mouthfeel
Cîroc Ultra-Premium Vodka
- Made from fine French grapes
- Distilled from a gluten-free base ingredient
- Finished product is certified gluten-free
- Has a fruity, nuanced flavor
The vodkas above use alternative base ingredients and thorough filtration processes to produce gluten-free spirits with qualities similar to Ketel One. Tito’s is likely the closest in terms of flavor and texture.
Other Considerations for Gluten Intolerance
In addition to the vodka itself, people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity also need to watch out for other sources of gluten in vodka drinks:
- Flavored Vodkas – Flavored versions like Ketel One Citroen may contain gluten from added ingredients. Stick to unflavored varieties.
- Mixers – Sources like tonic, juice and soda may have hidden gluten. Opt for pure mixers like seltzer water.
- Garnish – Rim salt, citrus wheels and certain olives may have gluten cross-contamination.
- Storage – Make sure your gluten-free vodka isn’t stored near wheat-based alcohols.
Checking labels, asking questions at bars, and using dedicated gluten-free storage areas are key to avoiding cross-contamination.
The Bottom Line
Ketel One vodka does contain traces of gluten due to being distilled from wheat. While distillation does remove most proteins, it leaves behind certain gluten fragments that make Ketel One unsuitable for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
However, there are several high quality gluten-free vodkas available that provide a comparable experience to Ketel One. Brands like Tito’s, Absolut Elyx, Blue Ice and Cîroc offer great taste and texture without gluten.
Just make sure to also consider potential sources of gluten in mixes, garnishes and storage when enjoying gluten-free vodka. With some adjustments, you can still enjoy fantastic vodka cocktails even with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.