Kavanagh Irish Cream

Rating: 13/23 This may be only slightly darker than Bailey's. Nose: It's richer and maltier than anticipated. I detect both whiskey and cream, along with a pleasant sweetness, akin to a malted milk ball with a hint of milk chocolate ice cream. There's also vanilla, cereal, and a subtle floral note. It's less harsh, but also less floral and milky than my two-year-old bottle of Bailey's. While I enjoy the freshness of the Bailey's aroma, I appreciate the maltiness here. It's an improvement over Sheelin's. Sheelin's White Chocolate liqueur is quite good, but their whiskey cream was rather disappointing. Palate: The creamy malt blends well with cereal and floral flavors. It has a hint of coconut milk, which, surprisingly, works well. The whiskey emerges from the floral notes. It's quite enjoyable in a decadent way and never harsh. Bailey's is more floral and fresh, with a buttery note that is milder than, but replaces, the coconut here. The spirit in this seems a bit lighter than in Bailey's, but the rich creaminess masks it effectively. I notice some grain harshness and a touch of bitter alcohol reminiscent of inexpensive Irish whiskey, but it's not overwhelming. It remains fairly pleasant. Finish: The milk and coconut notes linger, along with pleasant cereal, but also the bitter alcohol and grain harshness. Bailey's offers a nice whiskey richness on the finish that is disappointingly absent here. It's not bad, nor necessarily inferior to the palate. This is surprisingly better than Sheelin's Irish Cream. Sheelin's White Chocolate is decent, while Kavanaugh whiskey is terrible. I actually like this quite a bit. It's difficult to choose between this and Bailey's as they are so different. I think the coconut in this might deter some, but I rather like it. I can picture myself sipping this. Bailey's is more complex, but this is more decadent and still tasty. Given my indecision between the two, perhaps I should try Kerrygold, as they produce excellent butter. I believe Bailey's edges this out by about a point, but this is still quite good. I don't see myself sipping it extensively, but I certainly could, and I wouldn't hesitate to mix it. I'm leaning towards a 13, maybe even a 14. It could be a 12, but it's unlikely to be lower. I'll start with a 13.

An elegant Irish cordial with an aromatic start featuring notes of cream and Irish Whiskey. Its fresh character adds hints of malt, chocolate, and caramel, leading to a delicate and creamy finish. February / October 2016 / June / November 2019 / October 2024

A subtle flavor of caramel and chocolate.

Quite good, smooth, and sweet.

Silky, rich mouthfeel with a sweet finish

A light, creamy taste.