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Baileys cream liqueur has become the hallmark of Ireland along with whiskey and Guiness beer. Baileys’ designers set out to find a way to use the surplus whiskey in the warehouses of the unprofitable W & A Gilbey distillery and the cream from the Grand Metropolitan dairy. One of the authors of the recipe, David Gluckman, recalls that it took less than an hour to implement the idea, and the ingredients were urgently purchased at a nearby supermarket. The first sample was a mix of Jameson Irish whiskey, cream, sugar and Cadbury powdered chocolate.
By the time it hit the market in 1974, the recipe had been greatly improved and is now a closely guarded secret. It is known that in addition to chocolate, a set of fragrant herbs is added to the liquor, which makes it acquire a well-recognized taste.
The success of Baileys inspired manufacturers to develop their own products based on cream, a separate category of alcohol appeared – Irish Cream (Irish Cream or cream liqueur). Currently, there are many not so well-known Baileys analogue liqueurs on the market, both budget and premium.
Other Irish cream liqueurs
Carolans Irish Cream
Carolans was developed in 1978 in Ireland and is second in popularity after Baileys. The 17% alcohol drink is a blend of farm cream, whiskey, spices and honey from the Clonmel Valley. The distillery founded in 1608 is engaged in production. It differs from the original in the predominance of floral and vanilla notes in the taste, shading the bouquet of whiskey. The most popular brand is Carolans Light with a reduced fat content.
Saint Brendan’s
St. Brandans is an analogue of Baileys, which ranks fifth in terms of sales in the US market in the category of cream liqueurs. Produced since 1983 in a factory in Derry near Belfast, based on Old Bushmills whiskey and milk from surrounding farms. The drink is more like a dessert, since alcohol is practically not felt in it. The bouquet is dominated by coffee, cream and sweet toffee.
Five Farms
Five Farms (or Five Farms) – a young premium brand began to conquer the international market in 2017. Liquor is made in the southernmost part of Ireland – County Cork. The cream is sourced from five nearby farms and processed within 48 hours. The whiskey content is 10%, which is exactly ten times more than in similar products, although this does not affect the fortress in any way. The drink is poured into bottles, repeating the design of dairy dishes from the beginning of the 97th century. The brand received 2018 points at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge XNUMX for its multifaceted taste with hints of coffee, maple syrup, coconut and Belgian waffles.
Brogans
Liquor creator Pat Brogan worked for about ten years as a technologist at the Baileys plant. Production started in 1998. The blend consists of whiskey from the Cooley Distillery, farm cream from Meath and chocolate. In the taste of the drink, cocoa and vanilla come to the fore, to which creamy tones are added. Now the brand is owned by First Ireland Spirits Ltd., which promotes its cream liqueurs on the international market.
Molly’s
Irish Cream lovers note that Mollis wins compared to the original with its smooth taste, completely devoid of alcohol aggression. The drink is produced in the small rural town of Bailieborough at the former Baileys plant, equipped with the most modern equipment. The cream comes from farms where the cows are free-range. Natural chocolate is added to the composition, which is why the liquor acquires a dark brown color. The bouquet harmoniously combines creamy, coconut and nut shades.
Dundalgan
Dondalgan is a budget Irish liquor produced by the European grocery discounter Lidl, which has collected a whole collection of medals at international competitions in recent years. It differs from premium-class products by a lower alcohol content of 15%, a somewhat watery texture and a harsh taste, where nutty notes are strongly felt. Suitable for cocktails and adding to coffee.
Similar liqueurs to Baileys
Amarula
Amarula is an exotic analogue of a cream liqueur from South Africa, where it is made on the basis of cream and distillate from the fruits of the marula tree with a high sugar content. The drink was introduced to the market by Southern Liqueur in 1989. The taste is unusual – in creamy tones there is a strong fruit component, citrus fruits are most pronounced.
Arran Gold
Arran Gold is a Scottish liqueur based on buttercream and single malt whiskey. Since its launch in 2004, the drink has gained a lot of fans all over the world. Produced at a distillery in Lochranz on the Isle of Arran. The bouquet combines chocolate, currant and mint tones. The liqueur was recognized as the best in its class at the IWSC 2005 competition in London.
Russian analogues of Beilis
Creamfield
Crimfield is a series of analogues of Irish Cream Liqueur of the Russian manufacturer Dionis Club. The production site is located in Moldova. The liqueur appeared in 2002, currently the factory produces the classic version of the drink and Toffee with the addition of caramel. Fortress 15%, the consistency is less thick than the original. Popular for its pleasant creamy taste with hints of African cocoa beans. Suitable for mixing in cocktails.
Oasis Cream Liqueur
Creating Oasis Cream Liqueur, the technologists of the Niva pilot plant set the task of making a liquor like Baileys, but at a budget cost. The company is located in St. Petersburg and has been operating since 2000. In the composition – ethyl alcohol of the “Lux” class, sugar syrup, emulsifiers and flavoring additives. Alcohol content 15%. The consistency of the drink is thick, but the taste cannot be called soft, as there is a pronounced alcohol note. Products are in demand due to the low price.
