Is Rum Gluten Free?

Yes. Pure rum is gluten free. Rum is made from sugarcane or molasses, and neither contains gluten. Gluten comes from grains like wheat, barley and rye, which aren't used to make rum.

The thing to watch is what gets added after distilling. Some flavored, spiced and cream rums contain added flavorings or other ingredients. Most are still gluten free, but not every brand lists every ingredient. If you avoid gluten, unflavored rum is the safest choice.


Why Rum is Naturally Gluten Free

Every rum starts with sugarcane. The cane juice, syrup or molasses is fermented with yeast, distilled, then usually aged in oak barrels. No grain enters the process.

That's different from whiskey, which is made from grain. Most celiac organizations consider distilled spirits safe because distillation leaves gluten proteins behind. With rum, you don't need to rely on that, because there's no gluten to start with.


Which Rums Should You Check?

  • White rum: Gluten free. Many white rums are filtered after distilling for a cleaner taste, which doesn't add anything.

  • Gold, aged and dark rum: Gluten free. The color comes from time in oak barrels, and sometimes from caramel coloring, which is also gluten free.

  • Spiced rum: Usually gluten free, but spice blends vary. Check the label or ask the brand.

  • Flavored rum, cream rum and rum liqueurs: The most likely to contain additives. Check with the maker.

  • Rum cocktails: The rum is fine, but check the mixers. Beer-based drinks and some pre-made mixes can contain gluten.


Are Oak & Barrel Rums Gluten Free?

Yes. All three of our rums are unflavored, sugarcane-based rums with nothing added that contains gluten.

  • Original White Rum: A lightly aged white rum, refined after distillation for a crisp, smooth finish. Made for cocktails.

  • Aged Original Rum: A Caribbean rum aged three years, then finished and bottled here in Georgia. 40% ABV.

  • Second Story Rum: A small-batch rum from the Dominican Republic, distilled in 2015. It spent eight years in whiskey barrels and two more in wine casks. 40% ABV.

A note on Second Story: it's aged in barrels that once held whiskey. Whiskey is distilled, so it's considered gluten free, and any amount left in the wood would be tiny. If you're highly sensitive, our Original White and Aged Original are the simplest choices

Shop our rums

  • No. Rum is made from sugarcane, which has no gluten. Only some flavored or spiced rums with certain additives may contain it.

  • No. Wheat isn't used to make rum. It's used in some whiskeys, vodkas and beers, but not rum.

  • Yes. Dark rum gets its color and flavor from time in oak barrels. Some brands add caramel coloring, which is also gluten free.

  • Usually, but it depends on the brand's spice blend. Check the label or contact the maker.

  • Any unflavored rum made from sugarcane or molasses is gluten free. That includes all three Oak & Barrel rums: Original White, Aged Original and Second Story.

  • Plain rum contains no gluten, so many people with celiac disease drink it without problems. Everyone's sensitivity is different, so check with your doctor if you're unsure.