Grain alcohols are safe for celiacs because gluten doesn't survive the distillation process.
(Distillation is the process of purifying a liquid, first by heating it so that it vaporizes and then by cooling and condensing the vapor and collecting the resulting liquid.)
An important exception is beer, which is not usually gluten free, because it's made from barley and is not distilled. In the past few years, gluten-free beers have come on the market, which has been a great breakthrough for celiacs. (See Where to Find Beers without Gluten.)
The Canadian Celiac Association, for example, says "Distilled alcoholic beverages such as gin, vodka, scotch whisky and rye whiskey are made from the fermentation of wheat, barley or rye. Since they are distilled, they do not contain prolamins [a component of the gluten protein] and are allowed unless otherwise contraindicated. Beer and ale, usually made from barley, may contain 1 to 2 mg of prolamins per pint (570 mL) and therefore is not allowed."
The European Food Safety Authority believes that "proteins and peptides are not carried over into the distillate during a properly controlled distillation process, at least not in amounts higher than 1 mg/L for total proteins and 0.4 mg/kg for gluten. The Panel considers that distillates made from cereals are unlikely to trigger a severe allergic reaction in susceptible individuals." (See How Much Gluten is Safe?)
The Celiac Disease Awareness Campaign of the National Institutes of Health also agrees that "a cocktail made with distilled alcohol is safe" for people with celiac disease.
Distilled alcholic beverages with added flavoring are not necessarily gluten-free. You'll have to check with the manufacturer.
Many people with celiac disease nevertheless react badly to grain alcohols and prefer to avoid them. These individuals can still have tequila (made from the agave cactus), rum (from sugar cane), vodka made from potato or corn, and wine or champagne -- as long as there are no added flavorings.
For lists of gluten-free alcoholic products and beverage recipes:
- Triumph Dining has a good list of gluten-free alcohol products.
- Mike's Bar (run by a bartender whose sister has celiac disease) has reports from distillers on the gluten-free status of their products, plus other useful information.
Sources:
Acceptability of Grains and Other Foods. Canadian Celiac Association. [Accessed August 22, 2009] http://www.celiac.ca/Articles/Fall1990-1.html
European Food Safety Authority: Opinion of the Panel on dietetic products, nutrition and allergies [NDA] related to a notification from CEPS on cereals used in distillates for spirits, pursuant to Article 6 paragraph 11 of Directive 2000/13/EC
Question number: EFSA-Q-2006-143. [Accessed August 22, 2009] http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178621165520.htm
