Quick Answer
Yes, all BACARDI rum products are certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group. BACARDI rums do not contain any gluten ingredients and are distilled from sugarcane molasses, not grains that contain gluten. The distillation process also removes any potential gluten proteins from the final rum product. So those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can safely consume standard BACARDI rum varieties.
In Depth Answer
For those who need to follow a gluten-free diet due to celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, being able to enjoy an alcoholic drink now and then is important for quality of life. Distilled liquors like rum, vodka, gin, and whiskey are generally safe on a gluten-free diet because the distillation process separates the alcohol from the original grain or food source. This removes gluten protein from the final distilled spirit. However, some liquors may have flavorings or other added ingredients that contain gluten after distillation. So it’s important to check the gluten-free status of any liquor label before consuming.
All varieties of BACARDI rum are certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), an organization that independently tests products and certifies them as gluten-free if they contain less than 10ppm of gluten. BACARDI rums bearing the GIG certification label have been tested to contain no detectable levels of gluten. This includes all their popular rum varieties like BACARDI Superior White Rum, Carta Blanca White Rum, Gold Rum, Black Rum, Spiced Rum, Coconut Rum, Limón Rum, Razz Rum, Pineapple Rum, Dragonberry Rum, and more.
Why BACARDI Rum is Gluten-Free
There are two main reasons why BACARDI rums are gluten-free:
- BACARDI rum is distilled from sugarcane molasses, not gluten-containing grains.
- The distillation process removes gluten proteins (if any) from the final product.
BACARDI uses sugarcane molasses as the base ingredient for fermentation and distillation. Molasses is the syrup byproduct of refining sugarcane into table sugar. Since sugarcane does not contain gluten, the resulting molasses is also gluten-free. So BACARDI starts gluten-free before distillation. Many other rum producers use molasses as well, but some use gluten-containing grains or additives.
The distillation process itself also eliminates any traces of gluten that may have been present in the base ingredients. Distillation involves heating the fermented molasses wash until the alcohol evaporates, then capturing and cooling the alcohol vapors to condense them back into liquid alcohol. Research indicates the high temperatures break down gluten proteins into fragments, essentially removing detectable gluten from the purified distillate. So BACARDI rum is double gluten-free.
Gluten-Free Certification
BACARDI takes care to avoid gluten throughout the production process. Their distilleries follow strict good manufacturing practices to avoid cross-contact with gluten. The equipment used to make BACARDI rum is dedicated for rum only and not used to distill any gluten-containing grains. They also avoid adding any ingredients or flavorings that contain gluten.
But recognizing the importance of independent verification for gluten-free consumers, BACARDI has chosen to have their rums certified gluten-free by the GIG. The GIG has a reputation for following the strictest standards and testing protocols to ensure products bearing their certification logo are reliably gluten-free. GIG field inspectors exam BACARDI facilities, ingredients, equipment, and processes annually to ensure there is no risk of gluten cross-contamination. And GIG laboratories test BACARDI finished products to verify they contain less than 10ppm of gluten, the international standard for labelling foods “gluten-free”.
So when you see the GIG’s gluten-free certification on a bottle of BACARDI rum, you can trust it has been independently verified to contain no detectable gluten. This takes any uncertainty or guesswork out of determining if BACARDI rum is gluten-free.
Other Notes
While BACARDI rums are gluten-free, here are some additional details to be aware of:
- Other mixers or ingredients added to BACARDI rum may contain gluten. Always check labels of mixers and read ingredients lists of prepared cocktails or rum drinks. BACARDI rum by itself is gluten-free.
- BACARDI malts and brewed drinks are NOT gluten-free. Only their distilled rum products are certified gluten-free. Stay away from BACARDI beers and malted beverages if you need to avoid gluten.
- A few flavored BACARDI rum varieties are NOT certified gluten-free because they contain added flavorings that may contain gluten. These currently include BACARDI Coco, Cherry, Orange, Grapefruit, Wolf Berry, and Torched Cherry flavors.
- Look for the GIG certification logo to identify gluten-free BACARDI rums. Don’t just assume based on the BACARDI name alone.
- BACARDI production facilities also process some beers and malted drinks that contain gluten. But because of their strict procedures and controls, risk of cross-contact with the gluten-free rums is minimal.
Are All BACARDI Rums Completely Gluten-Free?
Yes, all BACARDI rum products are certified gluten-free, with the exception of a few flavored varieties that may contain added flavoring ingredients with gluten.
BACARDI has received gluten-free certification from the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) for all their major rum products. This includes:
- BACARDI Superior White Rum
- Carta Blanca White Rum
- Carta Fuego Rum
- Gold Rum
- Black Rum
- Spiced Rum
- Coconut Rum
- Banana Rum
- Pineapple Rum
- Razz Rum
- Limón Rum
- Coco Rum
- Select Barcardi Reserva Limitada Rums
As long as the label states “Certified Gluten-Free” and has the GIG logo, these BACARDI rum varieties contain less than 10ppm of gluten and are considered gluten-free foods.
However, it’s important to note that a few BACARDI flavored rums do NOT currently have gluten-free certification. These include:
- BACARDI Coco
- BACARDI Wolf Berry
- BACARDI Torched Cherry
- BACARDI Cherry
- BACARDI Orange
- BACARDI Grapefruit
The added flavors in these rums may contain gluten or introduce a cross-contact risk. So they cannot be considered gluten-free at this time. Always check for gluten-free labeling if consuming flavored rum products.
Why BACARDI Rum is Gluten-Free
There are two key reasons why BACARDI rum is gluten-free:
- Made from sugarcane molasses – BACARDI uses molasses made from sugarcane as the base ingredient for fermentation and distillation. Since sugarcane does not contain gluten, the resulting molasses is also gluten-free.
- Distillation process – The distillation process removes any traces of gluten proteins that may have been present in the molasses. Distillation involves heating the wash to a high temperature that fragments gluten proteins.
So because BACARDI starts with a gluten-free base material and uses a gluten-removing production process, the final rum contains no detectable gluten and is certified gluten-free.
Third-Party Certification
BACARDI goes beyond just labeling their rums “gluten-free”. They have chosen to have their products certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), an independent gluten-free certification organization:
- GIG inspects BACARDI facilities annually to ensure there is no risk of cross-contamination with gluten.
- GIG tests BACARDI finished rum products in their labs to verify they contain less than 10 ppm of gluten.
- Only BACARDI rums meeting the strict standards get certified as gluten-free.
This third-party certification provides assurance that BACARDI rum is reliably gluten-free. Consumers with celiac disease can trust any bottle with the GIG logo is gluten-free.
Other Notes
While standard BACARDI rums are gluten-free, keep these additional points in mind:
- Other ingredients added to rum like mixers or flavorings may contain gluten. Always check labels.
- BACARDI malts and brewed drinks are NOT gluten-free. Only BACARDI distilled spirits are certified gluten-free.
- Avoid flavored BACARDI rums without a gluten-free claim and GIG logo.
- BACARDI facilities also process some gluten-containing beers but have procedures to avoid cross-contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Bacardi rum gluten free?
Bacardi rum is gluten-free for two main reasons:
- It is made from sugarcane molasses, not gluten-containing grains.
- The distillation process removes any traces of gluten protein.
Is Bacardi Gold rum gluten free?
Yes, Bacardi Gold rum is certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG). As long as the bottle has the GIG logo indicating it’s certified gluten-free, Bacardi Gold rum contains less than 10ppm of gluten.
Is all Bacardi rum celiac safe?
Yes, Bacardi rums certified gluten-free by the GIG are considered celiac safe. GIG certification means Bacardi rum has been tested to verify it contains undetectable levels of gluten, well below the 20ppm limit for foods labeled gluten-free for celiacs.
Is Bacardi Select rum gluten free?
Most Bacardi Select rums are certified gluten-free, including Bacardi Select Gold Rum and Bacardi Select Spiced Rum. But certain flavors like Bacardi Select Orange Rum may not be gluten-free due to added flavorings. Always check for the GIG gluten-free logo to confirm.
Is Bacardi Dragon Berry rum gluten-free?
Unfortunately Bacardi Dragon Berry rum is currently NOT certified gluten-free. While the rum itself is gluten-free, this flavored variety likely contains added flavoring ingredients that introduce gluten or cross-contact risks. Only plain Bacardi rums are certified gluten-free at this time.
The Bottom Line
In summary, standard BACARDI rum products that are certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group can be safely consumed by those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. This includes popular varieties like Superior White Rum, Gold Rum, Spiced Rum, Coconut Rum, and more. The sugarcane molasses base and distillation process result in gluten-free rum. Just be sure to double check labels for the gluten-free certification, especially when consuming flavored rums or rum cocktails with mixers.
