K A S H R U T . C O M_©

Kosher Alcohol List

from the Chicago Rabbinical Council and other sources

Latest update August 25, 2011

This list is reprinted with permission from the Chicago Rabbinical Council with additional information from the Star-K and the OU.

BEER

Unflavored Beers: All unflavored beers, domestic and imported, with no additives listed on the ingredient label are acceptable, even without a Kosher certification. This applies to both USA and imported beers, including non-alcoholic and dark beers.
Redbridge gluten-free beer from Anheuser-Busch is kosher and pareve.
Many breweries are coming out with specialty brews that have additives; don't assume that all varieties are acceptable - check the label.

Miller's Chill Lime Beer is now certified kosher by the OU.

Mackeson Triple Stout Beer is not recommended due to the additives and its dairy ingredients!

Flavored Beers:
The following flavored beers are currently certified Kosher (under the Vaad of Greater Detroit - even without a hechsher on the product):

• Saranac- all products
• Brooklyn Brewery- only those products produced in Utica, NY
• Pete's Brewing- all products
• Matt Brewing- all products
The following beers from Samuel Adams, The Boston Beer Company, are Star-K kosher/pareve, even without the Star-K on the label:
All products listed below are Yoshon if sell by date is no later than March 2011.
• Black Lager
• Blackberry Witbier
• Boston Ale
• Boston Lager
• Brown Ale
• Cherry Wheat
• Coastal Wheat
• Cranberry Lambic
• Cream Stout
• Double Bock
• Dunkle Weizen
• Hardcore
• Hefeweizen
• Holiday Porter Light
• Honey Porter
• Imperial Stout
• Imperial White Ale
• Irish Red Ale
• Latitude 48
• Light
• Midnight
• Nobel Pilsner
• Noble Pils
• Octoberfest
• Old Fezziwig
• Pale Ale
• Raspberry
• Spring Ale
• Summer Ale
• White Ale
• Winter Lager

Coors (OU)

The following beers are under the supervision of the Kosher Australia Party, even without any kosher marking on the label:

• Coopers Sparkling Ale
• Coopers Best Extra Stout
• Coopers Special Old Stout
• Coopers Premium Lager
• Coopers Extra Strong Vintage Ale
• All varieties of Coopers Homebrew kits

The following beers manufactured by the Spoetzl Brewery under the Shiner label are certified kosher by the Orthodox Vaad of Dertoit, MI even without kosher logo on label.
Bock Blonde Bohemian Black Lager
Hefeweizen Light Holiday Cheer
Smokehaus 101 Frost1
Kosmos Reserve
 

BOURBON

Several brands of whiskey are now being processed with possible kosher sensitive concerns. Some are adding honey or other flavors while others are now being aged in wine casks. Consumers can determine the kosher status by reading the label of each bottle. If there are no obvious kosher sensitive concerns and there are no chometz concerns, the whiskey would be acceptable.

The following are some examples of recommended bourbons. Flavored varieties are not recommended: Bookers

A.H. Hirsch Bernheim Black Maple Hill Bookers Basil Hayden Bakers Elijah Craig Evan Williams Four Roses Knob Creek Heaven Hill Jack Daniels Jim Beam

Maker's Mark Michters Noah's Mill Old Crow Old Granddad Old Pogue Parkers Prichards Rowans Creek Vintage Bourbon Wild Turkey (Not Wild Turkey liqueur) Woodford Reserve

BRANDY & COGNAC

All brandy and cognac requires certification since both are made from wine.

Some Kosher Brandys:

• Boukha Fig(OU)
• Carmel (OU)
• Herzog (OU)
• Spirit of Solomon (Hisachdus-CRC)
• Tishbi (OU)

GIN

Gin with no extra flavors added is acceptable. (Note: Sloe Gin is a different liqueur and requires certification.)

Bombay Brand Sapphire Gin is currently being reviewed for possible kashrus issues and is not recommended until further notice.

Buffalo Trace Taaka Brand Gin is certified by the cRc.

Gordon's Flavored Gin (all flavors) produced in the USA, is Kosher certified by the cRc.

LIQUEURS

Liqueurs generally have lower alcohol content and are by nature flavored drinks.  All liqueurs require certification.
Brands that bear certification on the label and may be used:
Check the labels of each bottle and each flavor for the indicated certification. Some flavors from the sources listed below may be Dairy and will have a D next to the kosher symbol.
• 267 Infusion (OU)
• Avoscotch (OU)
• Amaretto Disaronno (OU)
• Arak- Alouf, Extra Fine (OU)
• Azmara- Coffee (OU)
• Bartenura(OU)
• Carmel (OU)
• Cointreau (No certification on bottle needed)
• DeKuyper (OU or all listed on OU website)
• Desert Exotics (OU)
• Drambule- (No certification on bottle required.)
• Frangelico (OU)
• Godiva (OU, OU-D): All should be considered as Dairy unless noted otherwise on each label.
• Herman Jansen ((OU, London Beth Din)
• Honkes (MK – Montreal)
• Kahlua Liquor (only when bearing OU)
• Kava- Coffee (B'datz - Eida Hachareidis)
• Kedem (OU)
• Kijafa (OU)
• Leroux (OU)
• Llord's (Kof K)
• Melody (OU)
• Merry (OU) Irish Cream Liqueur (pareve)
• Monfort (OU)
• Peacock (CRC Hisachdus)
• Peter Cherry Herring: CherryLiqueur, Coffee Liqueur (OU)
• R. Jelinek - Slivovitz (OU)
• Rodrigez (OU)
• Sabra (OU)
• Southern Comfort only with Badatz Basel and Badatz Beit Yosef on each bottle
• Spirit of Solomon (CRC Hisachdus)
• Starbucks Coffee Liqueur (OU) and Cream Liqueur (OU-D) made by the Jim Beam Co. currently kosher under the OU even without designation on the bottle. White Chocolate is Dairy
• Taam Pree (CRC Hisachdus)
• Vinprom (Star-K)

NOT RECOMMENDED LIQUORS

B&B Liqueur;  Bailey’s Irish Cream, Becherovka, Benedictine,Bols, Campari, Carolans, Chambord, Chantreuse, Cristal AguaDriente, Dubonett, Galliano, Gold Schlager; Grand Mariner, Hiram Walker Liqueurs, Llord's(without hashgacha), Midori, Ouzo, Raki, Sambuca, Schlink Haus Kabinett, Sheridans, Southern Comfort, Stock from Italy, Swiss Krishwasser, Tia Maria, Yukon Jack.

Mead

All mead require certification since most, if not all contain various kosher sensitive ingredients such as wine or flavors.

RUM

Rum generally requires certification. The following are acceptable under the stated conditions.

• Bacardi: (Unflavored Dark, Light & Gold Only is acceptable without a hechsher on the label.
• Cruzan: Unflavored Dark & Light Only
• Iceberg, (when bearing OU)
• Jumbi: (when bearing OU)
• Don Q Rum: (when bearing OU)

RYE

No certification required

SAKE

Only recommended when bearing a reliable Kosher symbol.
Miyako (OU)
Sensei (when bearing OU)
Takara Sake (OU)

SCOTCH

• Ardbeg: 10 year
• Auchentoshan: Original, 16 Year
• Balvenie: 15 Year Single Barrel
• Dramguish: Any age
• Glenlivet: 12 year, 15 year French Oak, Nadura 16 year, Nadura 191
• Glenrothes: Alba
• Glenmorangie: Original, Astar
• McClelland's: Lowland, Speyside (Speyside 12, Highland and Islay are NOT certified kosher)
• Royal Legacy of 1745: Any age
• The Speyside: Any age
• Tomintoul: 10 year, 16 year, 33 year, Peaty Tang.

Soju (Korean liquor)

Only recommended when bearing a reliable kosher symbol.

TEQUILLA

• Regular-White (also known as Silver) tequila which is recommended. This clear tequila contains either 100% agave or a mixture of agave and sugar cane.
• Gold-Brown tequila which is not recommended without a reliable hashgacha. This darker tequila is aged for 3 months and may have color and flavoring added.
• Reposado (“rested” ) (also known as Special) tequila which is not recommended without a reliable hashgacha. It is aged for 6 months and in addition to concerns of color and flavoring, glycerin may be added for density.
  Some acceptable Tequila brands:
  • Agave 99: (with OU)
  • Don Bernardo G (with OU)
  • El Diamante Del Cielo (with OU)
  • Ponchos 1910 Blanco 43%-Coffee 35%-Reposado 40%
  • Salusa
  • Sol Dios Anejo (OU)
  • Sol Dios Platinum / Blanco (OU)
  • Stallion (with OU)
  • Tonala (with OU)

  VERMOUTH

  Vermouth requires certification, as it is made from wine.
  Kedem is the only brand readily available with a kosher symbol.

VODKA

All Domestic (USA only) non-flavored vodka is acceptable. Imported vodka requires certification or confirmation of their approved kashrus status. This applies only to grain or potato vodka. Some vodkas are made with grapes or Whey and would need a reliable hashgacha.

The Following Buffalo Trace Distillery - Sazerac Vodka is approved when bearing the cRc on the label:
Taaka 100 Proof Vodka
Taaka 80 Proof Vodka
Taaka 90.4 Proof Vodka
Taaka Pink Lemonade Vodka

42 Below brand vodka has been reported to be made in dairy vessels and therefore should not be used directly with meat.

Van Gogh Vodka is approved if it states kosher under the supervision of the Holland Rabbinate or the Chief Rabbinate on the label. This kosher certification is for the following flavors – mint, pineapple, melon, blueberry, double espresso, espresso, pomegranate, orange, mango, coffee 19/90 XXO, banana, caramel and blue.


The following unflavored imported vodkas are acceptable imports even without certification on the label:
• Absolut
• Chopan
• Belvidere
• Finlandia
• Grey Goose
• Iceberg (OU)
• Kettle One
• Provda (now has OU)
• Stolichnaya ((unflavored, see below for flavored)
• Three Olives (from England)
• Vox

Ursus Flavored Vodka is not certified kosher

The following Absolut Flavored Vodkas are now acceptable even without the OU on the label:
Apeach, Berri Acai, Brooklyn, Citron ELYX, Kurant, Los Angeles, Mandrin, Mango, Orient Apple, Pears, Peppar, Raspberri, Rubby Red, S.F., Tropics, Vanilla, Wild Tea

Putinka Vodka both Pepper flavor and Limited Edition are kosher even without certification on the label.

1864 Perfect Vodka is acceptable even without the KF certification on the label.

Gordon Vodkas: The following varieties cRc certified, even without certification on the label:

• Citrus Flavored
• Orange
• Wild Berry

Smirnoff; The following varieties are acceptable in the United States, with KSA on the label:

• Vodkas:
  • Blue Label
  • Red Label
  • Silver label

  The following Smirnoff products are acceptable, with KSA on the label:

• Vodka Twists / Flavors
  Strawberry Acai is NOT kosher!
  • Black Cherry
  • Blueberry
  • Citrus
  • Coconut
  • Cranberry
  • Espresso (Dairy C.S.)
  • Green Apple
  • Lime
  • Mango
  • Melon
  • Orange
  • Passionfruit
  • Peach
  • Pear
  • Pineapple
  • Pomegranate
  • Raspberry
  • Root Beer (Dairy C.S.)
  • Strawberry
  • Vanilla
  • Watermelon Twist

  Smirnoff Ice:
  Non -flavored Smirnoff Ice including the Smirnoff Ice and Smirnoff Ice Triple Black contain grape and are not certified Kosher.
  The following varieties BOTTLED IN THE UNITED STATES are acceptable even without the KSA on the label. All Smirnoff products in Canada must have the KSA or another reliable certification on each label.

  • Green Apple
  • Mango
  • Passionfruit
  • Raspberry Burst
  • Watermelon
  • Wild Grape

Smirnoff Raw Tea: The following varieties are acceptable even without the KSA on the label. All Smirnoff products in Canada must have the KSA or another reliable certification on each label.

• Green
• Lemon
• Raspberry

Stolichnaya Vodka(; The following varieties are acceptable, with OU on the label:

• Cinnamon Flavored
• Coffee Flavored
• Gold Premium Imported Russian
• Imported Russian
• Lemon Flavored
• Orange Flavored
• Peach Flavored
• Raspberry Flavored
• Strawberry Flavored
• Vanilla Flavored

Perfect Vodka 1864, certificate here

WHISKEY (including Canadian, Irish, Ryes)

Several brands of whiskey are now being processed with possible kosher sensitive concerns. Some are adding honey or other flavors while others are now being aged in wine casks. Consumers can determine the kosher status by reading the label of each bottle. If there are no obvious kosher sensitive concerns and there are no chometz concerns, the whiskey would be acceptable.
Any whiskey, including Irish Whiskey, that is aged in a wine cask, such as Sherry or Port, or aged in dual casks, European casks or French casks should be avoided as it is uncertain if these are kosher. This can be determined by the information listed on the label of each bottle.

Blended Whiskeys are acceptable only with certification, unless appearing on the list below:

• Canadian – Canadian Club (regular only, not Classic. Premium or Special Reserve))
• Canadian Mist
• Crown Royal (Original and Black Only- the cRc does not have information on the new Sherry cask version)
• Gibsons (MK on label)
• Jamesons Irish Whiskey
• Kellan Irish Whiskey
• Midleton Irish Whiskey
• Paddy Irish Whiskey
• Power Irish Whiskey
• Seagram’s (VO and 7 Canadian Blend only, not American Blend)
• Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey (regular only- NOT those aged in sherry casks)
• Wiser's

WINES

All wines served at a cRc event, regardless of the location, host or caterer must bear acceptable certification and must be mevushal (cooked).
Check bottles for an acceptable certification and a statement that the wine is mevushal. Many Israeli and French wines are not mevushal, so care must be exercised.
Carmel Wines from Israel must bear the OU on the label; some wines produced during the shmita year will not have the OU on the label.
Alfasi wine, from Chile, is under the OK but not all are mevushal. Each label should be checked.

BAR STOCK ITEMS

Any bar equipment (strainers, shot measures, blenders, stir rods, shakers, etc.) used with non-kosher products and should be properly kashered prior to use for a kosher affair.
• Bitters - require a relaible hashgacha
• Olives – green olives require a hechsher, Black Olives packed in water, with no added flavors or colors are acceptable without certification on the label.
• Pearl Onions – are pickled and require a hechsher
• Lemon and Lime – fresh lemon and limes are used for slices, wedges and twists must be prepared using a kosher knife and a kosher cutting board
• All Tobasco brand hot pepper sauce is acceptable as long as it bears a “K”.
• OtherPepper Sauces – Durkee or French’s with OU on label
• Maraschino Cherries – only with acceptable hashgacha

DRINK MIXES

Drink Mixes require certification
Some brands available that are acceptable:
• Coco Lopez - only when bearing OU
• Daily's - (Only when bearing OU)
• Goya brand Cream of Coconut - Although in the past, we have accepted product from Dominican Republic, future purchases should only be made of products bearing a reliable hashgacha.
• Goya brand Coconut Milk: Although in the past, we have accepted product from Dominican Republic, future purchases should only be made of products bearing a reliable hashgacha
• Holland House – only when bearing OU
• Jamaica John (only when bearing OU)
• Jero – only when bearing OK
• Mr & Mrs T’s – only when bearing OU
• Rose’s – grenadine and lime, with OU on label

Juices

Juices require certification. Ready-to-drink juices are made in factories that produce a wide range of products, mostly with hot production. There are issues of dairy and non-kosher utensils.

The following is a short list of some juices that are accepted by the cRc. If you do not see a particular brand or category listed, you should then assume that it would require a reliable hashgacha.

Apple Juice-Shelf -Stable & Refrigerated Only with a reliable hechsher
Apple Juice - Frozen All without grape juice or additives are acceptable
Aseptic Pack Juices and Drinks Only with a reliable hechsher
Bottled Shelf-Stable Juices Only with a reliable hechsher
Campbell Tomato Juice Only with the OU or the Half Moon K
Dole Only with a reliable hechsher
Florida Natural Orange Juice acceptable Frozen Juices All without grape juice or additives are acceptable
Lemonade - Shelf Stabe & Refrigerated Only with a reliable hechsher
Lemonade - Frozen Only with a reliable hechsher
Lemon Juice All require a reliable hashgacha (See Frozen)
Lime Juice All require a reliable hashgacha (See Frozen)
Minute Maid -Refrigerated & Bottled Orange Juice Acceptable
Orange Juice-Shelf Stable & Refrigerated Only with a reliable hechsher (See other listings for additional information)
Orange Juice-Frozen All without grape juice or additives are acceptable
Pineapple Juice (Canned) All not canned in China are acceptable
Pomegranate Juice Only with a reliable hechsher
Prune Juice Only with a reliable hechsher (unless otherwise accepted [see Sunsweet])
Refrigerated Juices Only with a reliable hechsher
Sunsweet Prune Juice
Tomato Juice All require a reliable hashgacha
Tropicana Only with a reliable hechsher
V8 Juices Only with the OU or the Half Moon K

Other Liquor Lists

Star-K Liquor List
Rabbi Eidlitz's Liquor List
Montreal Vaad Hair Liquor list

Articles on Issues of Kosher Liquor

Ad Lo Yadah
(The Making of Kosher Wine, Beer, and Spirits)
Rabbi Zushe Yosef Blech
Reprinted with permission from Vaad Ha'ir of Montreal Volume 1, Issue 8 Adar Sheini 5760 / March 2000 © 2000 Rabbi Blech

Kashrus on the Rocks
(The Kashrus of Liquors)
by Rabbi Tzvi Rosen  - Editor Kashrus Kurrents
Reprinted with permission from  Kashrus Currents, , the publication of  the Star-K.

Is Something Kosher Brewing
(The Kashrus of Beer)
by Rabbi Tzvi Rosen  - Editor Kashrus Kurrents
Reprinted with permission from Kashrus Currents, , the publication of the Star-K.