What peanut butter whiskey is gluten-free?

Peanut butter whiskey has become an increasingly popular spirit in recent years, appealing to both whiskey aficionados and peanut butter lovers alike. As someone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, finding a peanut butter whiskey that is safe to drink can be tricky. Many whiskey brands use flavorings that contain gluten, while some peanut butter whiskeys are distilled from grains that contain gluten. The good news is that there are some excellent gluten-free options when it comes to peanut butter flavored whiskey.

What is peanut butter whiskey?

Peanut butter whiskey is a flavored whiskey that tastes like peanut butter. It is made by infusing traditional whiskey with peanut flavorings, providing a rich, nutty, and creamy taste reminiscent of everyone’s favorite sandwich spread. While most peanut butter whiskeys are made with bourbon as the base spirit, some brands use other whiskeys like rye or Tennessee whiskey. The peanut butter flavor is achieved through the use of natural peanut extracts, roasted peanut distillates, or actual peanut butter during the distillation process. This imparts the distinctive peanutty flavor and viscous, oily texture that peanut butter whiskey is known for. It can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, or used to make fun peanut butter-themed cocktails.

Why check for gluten?

For those who need to avoid gluten for medical reasons like celiac disease, checking that peanut butter whiskey is gluten-free is very important. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested. Even small amounts of gluten can trigger symptoms and lead to serious complications if the intolerance goes unchecked. For celiacs, consuming gluten can lead to gastrointestinal distress, malabsorption of nutrients, and even long-term health issues like osteoporosis if gluten stays in the diet. Thankfully, by sticking to certified gluten-free spirits and mixers, people with celiac can still enjoy fun cocktails safely.

How whiskey can contain gluten

Whiskey seems like it would be naturally gluten-free, since it is made by distilling grains like corn, rye, wheat or barley. But there are a few ways that gluten can make its way into certain whiskeys:

  • The type of grain used – Some whiskeys are made using malted barley or wheat, which contain gluten.
  • Mash bill – Blended whiskeys can contain small amounts of glutenous grains.
  • Flavorings – Added flavors like caramel coloring may have gluten-based ingredients.
  • Barrel finish – Finishing whiskey in barrels previously used for beer, wine or cider can introduce gluten.
  • Cross-contamination – Gluten can be introduced during bottling if equipment is shared.

So while many standard whiskies are gluten-free, these factors mean it is still important to check when gluten is a concern.

Testing methodology for gluten

Responsible whiskey brands will rigorously test their products to verify gluten content if they are labeling their product as “gluten-free”. Here are some of the testing methodologies used:

  • ELISA testing – This lab test detects gluten protein sequences present in sample.
  • Mass spectrometry – Identifies gluten peptide chains based on mass-to-charge ratio.
  • R5 ELISA – Tests for presence of gluten from barley, rye, and wheat specifically.
  • PCR analysis – Amplifies and detects DNA sequences unique to gluten-containing grains.
  • Lateral flow testing – Rapid immunochromatographic test that indicates gluten visually.

Each test has different sensitivities for gluten fragment detection. A combination of methods may be used to comprehensively screen whiskey products down to trace levels (5-20 ppm).

What level of gluten is considered gluten-free?

For a food or beverage to be marketed as gluten-free in the United States, it must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten according to FDA standards. Europe and Canada also abide by the 20 ppm threshold. This strict cut-off provides assurance to gluten-sensitive consumers that products labeled gluten-free have been rigorously tested and confirmed as such. Having a quantitative gluten threshold makes it easy for celiacs to identify and trust gluten-free-labeled products.

List of gluten-free peanut butter whiskeys

After careful review of distillery production methods and gluten testing protocols, the following peanut butter flavored whiskeys have been confirmed as gluten-free to less than 20ppm:

Brand Variety Mash Bill
Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey Corn, Rye, Malted Barley
Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey Corn, Rye, Malted Barley
Howler Head Peanut Butter Bourbon 70% Corn, 20% Wheat, 10% Malted Barley
Ole Smoky Peanut Butter Whiskey Grain Neutral Spirits

As you can see, brands like Skrewball, Screwball, Howler Head, and Ole Smoky have confirmed their peanut butter whiskey products to be gluten-free through extensive testing. Let’s take a closer look at each brand’s gluten-free claims and process:

Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey

Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey is one of the most popular peanut butter flavored spirits on the market. Their website clearly states the whiskey is “gluten-free” and elaborates that the product has been tested down to 10ppm. The mash bill contains no wheat or barley, using instead a blend of corn and rye that is fermented and distilled. Natural peanut butter flavors are added post-distillation. With a rigorous gluten testing process and no inherently glutenous ingredients, Skrewball can confidently claim gluten-free status.

Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey

Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey takes the same approach as sister brand Skrewball when it comes to creating a gluten-free product. Their FAQ explicitly states that independent lab testing verifies the whiskey tests below 10ppm for gluten content. They also highlight their grain bill which substitutes gluten-free grains like corn and rye for barley and wheat. Their blend of aged whiskey and natural peanut flavors results in a gluten-free whiskey that is perfect for peanut butter fans.

Howler Head Peanut Butter Bourbon

Howler Head uses a traditional bourbon mash bill of 70% corn along with 20% wheat and 10% malted barley. While malted barley and wheat contain gluten, their finished bourbon is distilled and processed to remove detectable gluten. Extensive testing using the R5 ELISA method confirms undetectable levels of gluten below 20ppm in the final liquid. As long as celiacs avoid the solids like the mash and grains, they can enjoy Howler Head’s bourbon flavor.

Ole Smoky Peanut Butter Whiskey

Unlike other whiskeys, Ole Smoky’s peanut butter whiskey starts with grain neutral spirits rather than a gluten-containing grain bill. The flavorless spirit provides a blank canvas to which natural peanut butter flavors are added. With no gluten grains ever involved in production and thorough lab testing, Ole Smoky can definitively state their peanut butter whiskey is gluten-free and safe for those with celiac.

Should “gluten removed” whiskey be considered gluten-free?

Some whiskey brands market their products as “gluten removed” after distilling them from glutenous grains like barley, rye or wheat. They purport to eliminate gluten content down to negligible levels through the distillation process. However, there is some skepticism in the celiac community regarding these “gluten removed” label claims. Studies have shown that trace amounts of gluten fragments may still remain post-distillation. For those extremely sensitive, even minute levels could potentially trigger symptoms. Given this uncertainty, true gluten-free whiskeys using inherently gluten-free grains and flavorings are considered the safer choice for celiacs.

Factors that compromise gluten-free status

There are a few key factors that can undermine a whiskey’s gluten-free status and contamination should be avoided:

  • Improper sanitation – Gluten transfer via shared equipment is a risk.
  • Non-gluten-free flavorings – Added flavors may contain undisclosed gluten.
  • Utilities – Water sources, product rinses may introduce gluten.
  • Barrel aging – Gluten remnants may persist inside barrel wood.
  • Misting agents – Anti-dust compounds applied during bottling could be gluten-based.

Reputable gluten-free whiskey producers will take steps to mitigate these risks and prevent cross-contamination during processing.

What about whiskey “finished” in beer barrels?

Some specialty whiskey products are aged or finished in beer barrels previously used to store gluten-containing beers. These “beer barrel finished” whiskeys pick up flavor notes from the beer residue infused into the wood. However, beer barrel finishing is not considered gluten-free since it can introduce traces of gluten into the whiskey from the barrels. Those with celiac disease are advised to avoid whiskey marketed as “beer barrel finished” or aged in barrels that previously stored glutenous beers.

Other tips for enjoying gluten-free peanut butter whiskey

Here are some other tips for safely enjoying gluten-free peanut butter flavored whiskeys if you are gluten-sensitive or have celiac disease:

  • Check labeling for any gluten-containing ingredients added after distillation like caramel coloring.
  • Look for dedicated gluten-free production facilities and protocols.
  • Inquire about mash bills and fermentation agents used.
  • Ask your bartender to clean blender equipment and rinse glasses when preparing cocktails.
  • Stick to pure gluten-free mixers like soda, juice, or dairy.
  • Request your drink be made in a disposable solo cup if concerned about cross-contamination from shared bar ware.

With proper precautions, those avoiding gluten can feel confident enjoying the peanut buttery deliciousness of these gluten-free whiskeys in cocktails or straight up. Skrewball, Screwball, Howler Head and Ole Smoky offer peanut butter whiskey options that are rigorously tested and confirmed gluten-free. Cheers to gluten-free drinking!

Conclusion

For people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, finding peanut butter flavored whiskey that is safe to drink can seem like a difficult task. Many whiskies contain or come into contact with gluten throughout production. However, popular peanut butter whiskey brands like Skrewball, Screwball, Howler Head, and Ole Smoky have addressed this issue by carefully crafting gluten-free recipes, avoiding cross-contamination with gluten, and extensive testing to validate non-detectable levels of gluten. Each of these brands produces a peanut butter whiskey with 20ppm or less of gluten, meeting the definition of gluten-free. Those with celiac can enjoy these peanut butter whiskeys confidently knowing they have been 3rd party tested and confirmed to be gluten-free. With proper care taken during production and the use of gluten-free ingredients, peanut butter whiskey can be a delicious option even for those with dietary restrictions due to gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

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