Captain Morgan is one of the most popular spiced rum brands in the world. With its distinct vanilla and caramel flavors, Captain Morgan has become a staple in bars and homes across the globe. However, for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, enjoying Captain Morgan can be difficult due to the potential gluten content in various Captain Morgan products.
What is gluten and why does it matter?
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. For those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue and more. As a result, following a strict gluten-free diet is essential for managing these conditions.
For alcoholic beverages like spiced rum, gluten can make its way into the final product in a few ways:
- The grains used to produce the rum contain gluten. Gluten grains like wheat, barley or rye are commonly used to make rum.
- Cross-contamination during production if gluten-containing grains are processed on shared equipment.
- Addition of flavorings or colorings that contain gluten as an ingredient.
So in order for a spiced rum like Captain Morgan to be considered gluten-free, steps must be taken to avoid gluten during production and bottling. Identifying the gluten-free options requires an understanding of how each Captain Morgan variety is produced.
Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
The standard Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum is NOT gluten-free. According to the manufacturer, this variety is distilled from a blend of rums and contains both gluten grains and added flavorings with gluten:
- The rum blend contains pot still rum distilled from molasses and continuous still rum distilled from grain. These grains likely include gluten-containing wheat or barley.
- Caramel color is added which can be a source of gluten if wheat is used in the production process.
So those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid standard Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum due to the high risk of gluten content.
Captain Morgan 100 Proof Spiced Rum
Like the original, Captain Morgan 100 Proof Spiced Rum is NOT considered gluten-free. It is produced using the same gluten grain-based rums and flavors as the 70-proof variety. The only difference is that Captain Morgan 100 Proof has a higher alcohol content at 50% ABV compared to 35% ABV in the original. So gluten is still a concern with the 100 proof, and it should be avoided by those following a gluten-free diet.
Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum
Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum, sometimes called Captain Morgan Black, also contains gluten. According to the manufacturer, the rum blend for Black Spiced Rum is similar to the Original Captain Morgan, including both molasses-based and gluten grain-based distillates. On top of that, they note that caramel color with gluten is added. So like the others, Captain Morgan Black should be assumed to contain gluten.
Captain Morgan White Rum
Captain Morgan White Rum is the company’s clear, unspiced rum offering. And unlike the spiced varieties, Captain Morgan White Rum is produced gluten-free.
According to the manufacturer, it is distilled solely from molasses, not gluten grains. And no gluten-containing flavorings or additives are used. As a result, Captain Morgan White Rum is considered gluten-free and can be enjoyed by those following a gluten-free diet.
Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum
Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum is another variety that is produced gluten-free. Like the white rum, it is distilled solely from molasses according to the manufacturer. And no gluten-containing ingredients or flavorings are added. So Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum is a gluten-free option for those looking for the signature spiced Captain Morgan flavor without the gluten.
Captain Morgan Private Stock Rum
Captain Morgan Private Stock Rum is the premium aged offering from Captain Morgan. And unfortunately, it does contain gluten.
According to the manufacturer, the rum blend contains both molasses-based and gluten grain-based distillates. So it is not considered gluten-free.
Captain Morgan Tattoo Rum
Captain Morgan Tattoo Rum is a spiced rum variety launched in partnership with the TV show Ink Master. It has a darker color and richer flavor than the original Captain Morgan spiced rum.
Like other spiced varieties besides Silver, Captain Morgan Tattoo contains gluten grains in the distillation process and has added caramel coloring that may be a source of gluten. So it is not gluten-free friendly.
Captain Morgan Cannon Blast
Captain Morgan Cannon Blast is a rum liqueur with fruit flavors aimed at a younger crowd. It is NOT gluten-free.
The manufacturer confirms that in addition to molasses-based rum, the distillation process for Cannon Blast uses grain spirit containing gluten. It also contains added flavors and citrus concentrate that may introduce traces of gluten.
Other Captain Morgan Varieties
The only varieties of Captain Morgan rum that are definitively gluten-free based on information direct from the manufacturer are:
- Captain Morgan White Rum
- Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum
Any other Captain Morgan rums, including all spiced varieties besides Silver, contain gluten from grains used during production and/or added flavors. Some examples of other varieties that contain gluten include:
- Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
- Captain Morgan 100 Proof Spiced Rum
- Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum
- Captain Morgan Private Stock Rum
- Captain Morgan Tattoo Spiced Rum
- Captain Morgan Cannon Blast
Unless explicitly labeled as gluten-free, it should be assumed that all Captain Morgan rums besides White and Silver contain gluten and are not safe for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. When in doubt, it’s best to contact the manufacturer directly to inquire about gluten content.
Cross-contamination risks with Captain Morgan
Even if a Captain Morgan variety is labeled gluten-free, there can still be risk of cross-contamination with gluten during production.
Like most major alcohol brands, the various Captain Morgan rums are produced at massive distilleries that also make other gluten-containing alcohols. So there is always potential for gluten cross-contamination on shared equipment or from gluten grains in the air during processing.
The facilities used to bottle and package Captain Morgan products could also introduce small amounts of gluten through shared equipment. These cross-contamination risks would likely be minimal and may fall below the FDA limit of 20 parts per million of gluten for foods labeled “gluten-free”. But for those extremely sensitive, even small cross-contamination could trigger symptoms.
It’s impossible to completely eliminate the risk which is why some celiacs avoid gluten-labeled alcohols altogether just to be safe. Those less sensitive may feel comfortable with Captain Morgan White or Silver knowing potential contamination is likely minimal but can’t be ruled out completely.
What about travel retail exclusives?
Captain Morgan has produced many limited edition rums exclusively for duty-free shops and travel retail. These include expressions like Captain Morgan Ancho Reyes, Captain Morgan Cannon Blast Apple, Captain Morgan Sherry Oak Finish and more.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not provide detailed production information or address potential gluten content for any of these travel retail exclusives. Since most Captain Morgan rums do contain gluten, it is safest to assume these limited editions also contain gluten unless labeled gluten-free. When in doubt, it’s best to avoid.
Verifying gluten content with Captain Morgan
If ever uncertain about the gluten-free status of a Captain Morgan product, the best way to verify is to contact the manufacturer directly.
Consumer relations for Captain Morgan can be reached by phone at 1-877-241-4724 or by email at [email protected].
You can contact them with the UPC code and any batch or lot numbers printed on the bottle and ask specific questions about the gluten content of that Captain Morgan expression and batch.
This is the only way to get definitive, up-to-date verification direct from the distillery and eliminate any guesswork. Do not just rely on general online research or marketing materials, as recipes and production processes can frequently change. Go straight to the source at Captain Morgan for a reliable answer on gluten content.
Finding safe gluten-free rums
While Captain Morgan Silver and White are labeled gluten-free, those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity may still prefer other rum options produced at dedicated gluten-free facilities.
Some rum brands that are produced entirely gluten-free include:
- Bacardi – Most Bacardi rum varieties are distilled from molasses and bottled at a dedicated gluten-free facility.
- Cruzan – Cruzan rum is also distilled from molasses at a dedicated gluten-free plant.
- Kirk and Sweeney – All Kirk and Sweeney rums are produced gluten-free.
- Koloa Rum – This Hawaiian rum company makes single-estate gluten-free rums.
- Papas Pilar – Small batch rums crafted gluten-free.
There are also some smaller craft distilleries like Koval and New Deal that make gluten-free rums on dedicated equipment.
And you can always double check the gluten-free status when purchasing certified gluten-free spirits like Gluten Free Spirits rum. Just check that the bottle has an official gluten-free certification logo from organizations like the Gluten Intolerance Group or the Celiac Sprue Association.
While these options avoid the same cross-contamination risks associated with a large blended rum like Captain Morgan, there is never a 100% guarantee any alcohol is gluten-free. But these brands go through extra steps to eliminate gluten and provide safe options for gluten-free diets.
Drinking Captain Morgan on a gluten-free diet
So can you safely drink Captain Morgan rum on a gluten-free diet? Here are some general guidelines:
- The only Captain Morgan varieties definitively gluten-free are Captain Morgan White Rum and Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum.
- Other Captain Morgan rums, including all other spiced varieties, contain gluten.
- There is always some risk of cross-contamination even with gluten-free labeled products, though likely minimal.
- Those with celiac disease or who are highly sensitive should use extreme caution and consider avoiding entirely.
- Check with Captain Morgan consumer relations with specific batch codes if uncertain.
- Look at dedicated gluten-free brands like Bacardi, Cruzan or Kirk & Sweeney for added assurance.
While the gluten content in Captain Morgan rum may seem confusing, the key is sticking with the guaranteed gluten-free calls like White and Silver Rum. Or opting for added peace of mind with another brand. This allows those with gluten intolerance to enjoy their favorite spiced rum without risking adverse reactions. Cheers and drink responsibly!
Summary of Captain Morgan gluten content
For easy reference, here is a table summarizing the key points on gluten content in Captain Morgan rums:
| Captain Morgan Variety | Gluten-Free Status |
|---|---|
| Captain Morgan Original Spiced | Not gluten-free |
| Captain Morgan 100 Proof | Not gluten-free |
| Captain Morgan Black Spiced | Not gluten-free |
| Captain Morgan White | Gluten-free |
| Captain Morgan Silver Spiced | Gluten-free |
| Captain Morgan Private Stock | Not gluten-free |
| Captain Morgan Tattoo | Not gluten-free |
| Captain Morgan Cannon Blast | Not gluten-free |
Conclusion
When shopping for Captain Morgan rum, read labels carefully and double check gluten-free status. Only Captain Morgan White Rum and Captain Morgan Silver Spiced Rum are definitively free of gluten and safe for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Other varieties do contain gluten. If ever uncertain, reach out to Captain Morgan consumer relations for clarification before drinking. Ultimately, those following gluten-free diets have excellent rum options from Captain Morgan and other distillers that allow enjoyment of this popular spirit without risk of adverse reactions.
