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SPIRITS

Drinks suitable for vegetarians and vegans

Alcohol production and vegetarianism does not always mix comfortably. Here we present a list of spirits and aperitifs suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Most of the drinks listed are available in off-licences around the country. While the list is most probably incomplete, it goes some way towards providing at least a couple of recognisable labels in each of the spirits categories.

If your regular tipple isn't on this list, it does not necessarily mean that it is not vegetarian. If in doubt, a letter to the manufacturers is always a good idea. If anyone gets more information on any drinks or foods, please let us know.

The following list has been compiled with the help of Audrey Neilson, who obtained the UDV UK list of drinks suitable for vegetarians (many thanks for your help), also from the Vegan Society in the UK and their publication "Animal-Free Shopper".

- symbolises drinks suitable for vegans

Drink Type	Brands suitable
VODKA	Smirnoff Black Vodka Smirnoff Blue Vodka Smirnoff Flavours Smirnoff Mule Smirnoff Red Vodka Popov Vodka
WHISKY	Bell's 8 Year Old Classic Malt Whiskey Range Dimple Whiskey Distillery Malts produced by UDV UK Haig Gold Label Whisky J&B Rare Whisky (also J&B Scotch Whisky) Jack Daniel's Johnnie Walker Black Label Johnnie Walker Blue Label Johnnie Walker Red Label Knockando Scotch Whisky Singleton Whisky Southern Comfort Liqueur VAT 69 Whisky White Horse Whisky
SHERRY	Croft Sherries
PORT	Croft Vintage Port ONLY
BRANDY	Three Barrels Brandy
LIQUEURS	Ameretto di Saronno Archers Peach Country Schnapps Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur Cointreau Drambuje liquer Malibu Malibu Spice Sheridans Liqeur
RUM	Cockspur Rum
GIN	Gilbey's Gin Gordon's and Tonic cans Gordon's Dry Gin Gordon's Ginzing Gordon's Sloe Gin Tanqueray Gin Sapphire Gin
TEQUILA	Jose Cuervo Tequila
&nbsp	Metaxa Greek spirit Ouzo 12 Romana Sambuca
	Cinzano Fresco Cinzano Vermouth Pimms Pimms cans Tony's Freezer Cocktails

Other Points:

• Sherries should be approached as wines with respect to production methods. There are a number of ingredients and methods used which can make the final product. unsuitable for vegetarian consumption. Portuguese ports are required by law to be fined with gelatine - Portuguese crusted and some vintage ports are suitable for vegetarians however.
• All brandies are reported to be suitable for vegetarians.
• Some drinks such as Campari are coloured with E120, a red colouring agent made from the red body material of scale insects (Dactilopius coccus). This is also found in some soft drinks and red wines.
• According to the Vegan Society (UK), the production of spirits "does not appear to involve the use of animal substances" and that "vodka is now universally filtered using birchwood charcoal).

Maria Connolly

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