Irish cream liqueurs are a unique blend of world-renowned Irish whiskey and dairy cream, and other delicious ingredients. The best Irish cream liqueurs are silky-smooth, so they can be sipped neat, added to a cocktail or coffee, and even a finishing touch to desserts.
How Is Irish Cream Liqueur Made?
Irish dairy cream and Irish whiskey are expertly blended together with additional ingredients such as caramel, chocolate and vanilla to create a smooth and flavoursome liqueur.
What Does Cream Liqueur Taste Like?
Irish cream liqueur is smooth, rich, and often chocolatey, with hints of vanilla and caramel. There are lingering whiskey notes on the long warming finish.
Best Irish Cream Liqueurs
I’ve selected 8 of the best Irish cream liqueurs to enjoy neat over ice, in a fancy cocktail, with coffee, or to spice up a dessert.
1. Baileys Irish Cream
Overview
- Distiller: Diageo
- ABV: 17% (34 Proof)
- Country: Ireland
- Colour: Soft Caramel
Review
Bailey’s Irish Cream is the world’s bestselling Irish cream liqueur and was first introduced in 1974. Did you know that roughly 200 million litres of fresh Irish milk are needed to produce Bailey’s every year?
It is made by blending Irish dairy cream, aged Irish whiskey, a variety of other fine spirits, a unique chocolate blend, herbs, and spices. The precise recipe is a closely kept secret by the brand.
I know this is incredibly popular and sold everywhere but make no mistake, this remains a quality Irish cream liqueur. If you fancy something with a coffee kick, check out my review of 10 coffee liqueurs.
On The Nose
Vanilla and smooth chocolate with hints of aged whiskey
On The Palate
Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur pleases the palate with smooth flavours of rich chocolate, sweet vanilla and nougat, with a hit of Irish whiskey in every soft, creamy sip.
Best Served
This popular Irish cream can be enjoyed neat on the rocks, in a Baileys Tiramisu Cocktail or in a classic Espresso Martini.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
2. Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur
Overview
- Distiller: Holladay Distillery
- ABV: 17% (34 Proof)
- Country: Ireland
- Colour: Light chocolate
Review
Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur is made in County Cork, a small southern region of Ireland, famous for its pot still Irish whiskey. Five Farms Irish cream received a 97/100 score at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2018 and took home the Chairman’s trophy.
This Irish Cream Liqueur is made with rich and smooth dairy cream from the dairy cattle of County Cork. A generous amount of premium triple distilled Irish whiskey is blended with the cream within 48 hours of being collected. I think the bottle looks fantastic!
On The Nose
Creamy butterscotch, vanilla and coconut
On The Palate
A delicious caramel and butterscotch flavour with smooth and silky vanilla cream. The finish is sweet with hints of coconut and maple syrup.
Best Served
In my opinion, Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur is best served neat on the rocks. Perhaps also check out their suggestion of a tasty Side Car cocktail!
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
3. Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur
Overview
- Distiller: Heaven Hill
- ABV: 17% (34 Proof)
- Country: Ireland
- Colour: Soft Beige
Review
Carolans Irish Cream is made in County Tipperary in Ireland. It has risen to one of the largest Irish cream brands worldwide. The brand takes its name from the 17th-century Irish harpist, Turlough O’Carolan.
This tasty liqueur contains farm-fresh cream, the finest Irish whiskey, and natural honey is blended in for added sweetness. I simply love Carolans as feel it offers a unique Irish cream experience as the honey works incredibly well.
On The Nose
Hints of wild honey, caramel and creamy vanilla.
On The Palate
Smooth creamy caramel on the opening, sweet yet mildly spiced honey reveals itself mid-palate. The finish gives a long and smooth whiskey kick.
Best Served
Carolans Irish Cream is best served neat over ice and sipped slowly. Heaven in a glass.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
4. Coole Swan Irish Cream Liqueur
Overview
- Distiller: The Scion Spirits
- ABV: 16% (32 Proof)
- Country: Ireland
- Colour: Pale Cream
Review
Coole Swan Irish Cream Liqueur is based on the owner’s family farm in County Meath in Ireland, using a recipe that took 230 attempts. The rather fancy Victorian style milk bottles are produced in Slovenia.
This Irish cream liqueur is made using fresh dairy cream milked less than two hours before blending. Belgian white chocolate is slowly melted and added to the cream. The final stage is to mix single malt Irish whiskey and chill the mixture down.
On The Nose
Creamy white chocolate, rich cocoa, vanilla
On The Palate
Creamy smooth white chocolate and caramel on the opening. A whisper of Irish malt whiskey mid-palate. The finish is sweet and creamy, with a subtle whiskey kick.
Best Served
Coole Swan Irish Cream Liqueur is best served neat on the rocks or as an espresso martini. I think that Coole Swan’s recommendation of a high society cocktail is also well worth investigating!
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
5. The Irishman Irish Cream Liqueur
Overview
- Distiller: Walsh
- ABV: 17% (34 Proof)
- Country: Ireland
- Colour: Toffee
Review
The Irishman Irish Cream Liqueur is made the same way as the traditional Irish cream liqueurs. The brand took top honours at the 2020 international spirits competition with 94/100 – a true award-winning Irish cream.
The Irishman Irish Cream Liqueur is made by using the finest Irish Malt whiskey. After that, blend it with the best Irish dairy cream and add natural vanilla and subtle toffee tones.
On The Nose
Creamy vanilla with hints of coffee
On The Palate
Opens with Irish malt notes, vanilla and a splash of coffee. Mid-palate is smooth, with the Irish whiskey making its presence known. The finish is creamy and warming.
Best Served
This classic creamy liqueur is best served neat on the rocks or as a cheeky addition to an Irish coffee. Check out my review of 10 coffee liqueurs too!
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
6. Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream Liqueur
Overview
- Distiller: St Brendans
- ABV: 17% (34 Proof)
- Country: Ireland
- Colour: Fudge
Review
The name was inspired by Saint Brendan the Abbot, an ancient Irish monk known for his travels and adventures. The cream liqueur is made in Derry, Northern Ireland, and they only use “The Quiet Man” Irish whiskey for their cream liqueur.
Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream Liqueur uses two premium ingredients, fresh Irish dairy cream and a triple distilled high-mash Irish whiskey. The sweetness comes from the natural vanilla added to rich Irish cream.
On The Nose
Sweet vanilla ice cream with a barrel-aged whiskey aroma.
On The Palate
A thick and rich blend of creamy vanilla with a splash of whiskey-laced coffee. I loved the smooth Irish whiskey that lingers on the long finish.
Best Served
Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream Liqueur is best served as the base for an Irish espresso martini or delicious iced Irish latte.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
7. Feeney’s Irish Cream Liqueur
Overview
- Distiller: First Ireland Spirits Co. Ltd
- ABV: 17% (34 Proof)
- Country: Ireland
- Colour: Dark Brown
Review
Feeney’s Irish Cream Liqueur is crafted in Abbeyleix, County Laois in Ireland. The company boasts about having their cream go from dairy to bottle in 24 hours, locking in the freshness.
Smooth and refined, Feeney’s Irish Cream is made with a single malt Irish whiskey left to age for three years. The fresh cream is added with bittersweet cocoa for a caramel twist.
On The Nose
The sweet chocolate, vanilla, and caramel/toffee is inviting on the nose.
On The Palate
Creamy and smooth with slightly bittersweet chocolate and caramelised whiskey. The cream is silky smooth with subtle spice and nuttiness on the finish.
Best Served
Feeney’s Irish Cream Liqueur is best served neat on the rocks and slowly sipped, bliss. My recommendation of a comfy chair and roaring fire in the background is optional.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
8. St Patrick’s Irish Cream Liqueur
Overview
- Distiller: St Patrick’s
- ABV: 17% (34 Proof)
- Country: Ireland
- Colour: Light Brown
Review
The distillery is located in St Patrick’s Woolen Mills in Douglas, Cork, St. and creates its own signature whiskey. Starting in first-fill bourbon barrels and finished in either port, sherry, rum or cognac casks.
St Patrick’s Irish Cream Liqueur is made with full butterfat cream and matured triple distilled St. Patrick’s Irish whiskey. The whiskey and the cream are blended together with fresh cocoa, vanilla, and caramel to create a creamy delight.
On The Nose
Sweet vanilla, cream and caramel on the nose.
On The Palate
Creamy vanilla, caramel and orange zest on the palate with a silky smooth, soft finish. Nice amount of whiskey taste without overpowering.
Best Served
St Patrick’s Irish Cream Liqueur is an award-winning liqueur best served neat on the rocks or, my personal favourite, as a flavoursome espresso martini.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
Ingrid’s Top Pick
Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur
Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur is my top pick because the blend of Irish cream, caramel and whiskey work so well with the sweetness and subtle spice of the honey. Enjoy neat poured over ice.
Conclusion
An authentic Irish cream liqueur is made from the finest Irish whiskies, fresh Irish dairy cream, and other aromatic and flavoursome quality ingredients. They all have a rich history that can be tasted in every velvety sip, no matter which one you select.
Also read: Top 6 Amarula Cream Liqueurs: A Taste of Marula Fruit Magic
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from The Drinks Geek blog. We write articles on several fascinating areas of drinks, including different brands, drink types, cocktail recipes and more.
