There’s nothing quite like the decadence of an Irish cream liqueur—it’s dessert for grown-ups! With an ABV typically between 15% and 20%, the mixture of Irish whiskey and cream (and often additional flavors like vanilla or toffee) is delicious on its own or with a little ice, but it also makes a great addition to an Irish Coffee—or simply splashed in a regular cup of joe—and just as tasty poured over ice cream, or blend the two up for an adult milkshake. What’s not to like?
Irish cream is a young product, first created in the 1970s—compare this to Irish whiskey’s history dating back to the 12th century (or Irish dairy farming’s similarly centuries-long history, for that matter) and it’s practically brand new. Baileys was the first: It was introduced in 1974, and in addition to Irish whiskey and cream, today it features multiple flavor variants. Other brands have since emerged, such as Carolans, The Irishman, and Five Farms, and while each has its own recipe, the base of Irish whiskey and cream is the common thread.
While Irish cream may be the most well-known style of Irish liqueur, a newer brand aims to stand out from that pack: Shanky’s Whip Black Irish whiskey liqueur is a creamy, sweet, spicy liqueur with a base of Irish whiskey— but no cream—perfect for non-dairy drinkers or anyone looking to change up their usual Irish cream imbibing. The brand was launched in 2021 by Shanky & Shireman, a division of wine, spirits, and gourmet foods player Biggar & Leith.
Biggar & Leith founder Elwyn Gladstone says the inspiration for Shanky’s Whip actually dates back to the 1920s. According to the story, a jockey named Shanky was a fantastical and notorious “bad boy” of Irish horse racing who also enjoyed Irish whiskey—and apparently took some illegal “short cuts” to victory. When he was banned from the sport, he found a loophole and showed up in a sulky pulled by an ostrich instead of a horse. You’ll see Shanky and his racing ostrich on the bottle’s label. The brand’s slogan, “Always one to buck the trend,” is also inspired by the man.
Shanky’s Whip certainly bucks the trend, as it’s neither a traditional Irish whiskey nor an Irish cream. “It’s not a cream liqueur but it has a smooth, creamy vanilla flavor,” Gladstone notes. Shanky’s Whip is made from aged Irish whiskey, blended with unaged Irish spirit and natural vanilla flavor and caramel coloring, resulting in a creamy sweet palate with underlying spicy Irish whiskey notes. Like Irish cream, it’s perfect mixed with coffee or on its own—or go ahead and pour a shot right into your favorite Irish stout.
Four Irish Creams (and a Whiskey Liqueur) to Try
Baileys, 17%, $26
The first and most well-known Irish cream, it features a blend of Irish whiskey and fresh cream, plus chocolate and vanilla flavors. Aromas of latte and milk chocolate with a hint of nutmeg spice lead to a creamy palate with flavors of cocoa powder, dark chocolate, creamy coffee, and a touch of nuttiness.
Carolans, 17%, $15
Developed in 1978, this is the second-largest Irish cream brand in the world. It combines Irish spirits and whiskey with fresh cream and honey. On the nose, smooth toffee notes mingle with dairy and honey aromas. It features a smooth texture and creamy vanilla flavor accented with notes of wildflower honey.
Five Farms, 17%, $35
Introduced to the American market in 2017, this is the first farm-to-table Irish cream liqueur, exclusively sourced and produced in County Cork. Featuring fresh cream combined with Irish whiskey and caramel flavoring, it has aromas of butterscotch, caramel fondue, and vanilla bean. The palate is lush and coats the mouth with flavors of coffee with fresh cream, dulce de leche, coconut, and maple.
The Irishman, 17%, $20
Introduced in 2005, this Irish cream is made using the Walsh family’s original Irish whiskey, 100% Irish dairy cream, and natural vanilla flavor with a hint of toffee. The nose features soft aromas of Irish whiskey enveloped in a creamy sweetness. It has a decadent mouthfeel with natural flavors of vanilla and toffee and a luxurious and mellow finish.
Shanky’s Whip Black Irish Whiskey Liqueur, 33%, $29
This dairy-free liqueur features a base of aged Irish whiskey blended with unaged Irish spirit and mixed with natural vanilla flavor and caramel color. The nose is sweet, with notes of caramel and vanilla extract giving way to a sweet, creamy, and velvety texture, showing flavors of vanilla and caramel cream, with slightly spicy and smoky notes and a long finish.
