Grain Neutral Spirits (GNS) are one of the most widely used types of neutral alcohol, commonly produced from grains such as corn, wheat, barley, and rye. GNS, also known as Neutral Grain Spirits (NGS) or Neutral Grain Alcohol, is a highly distilled ethanol with a typically high alcohol content, usually around 95% ABV (190 proof). This purity level is achieved through continuous distillation, which removes most of the flavour compounds, resulting in a neutral-tasting spirit that serves as the base for many alcoholic beverages, including vodka and gin.
While it is a common misconception that gin is simply juniper-flavoured vodka, this is not technically accurate. Gin is made by redistilling neutral spirits like GNS with a variety of botanicals, of which juniper berries are the primary component. The EU regulations on spirit drinks specify that both gin and vodka must be made from “ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin,” which can include grains but is not limited to them. However, the increased popularity of gin, particularly in the U.K., has driven the demand for GNS, as it provides a consistent and high-quality base for distilling these spirits.
For those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, it is important to note that GNS made from grains that contain gluten (such as wheat, barley, and rye) is considered gluten-free because the distillation process effectively removes the gluten proteins that trigger allergic reactions. This makes distilled spirits made from these grains safe for those with gluten sensitivities. However, this does not apply to fermented alcohols like beer, where gluten remains present, and thus, they are not considered gluten-free.
