Kerrygold Irish Cream Liqueur (17% ABV, 34 proof, $19.99) – It’s a no-brainer for Ireland’s best known dairy brand to jump into the Irish Cream space. The nose on Kerrygold Irish Cream is cream, vanilla, milk chocolate, and very subtle hint of the underlying whiskey (although if you weren’t looking for it, you wouldn’t know it’s there).
The entry is all chocolate milk, creamy without being overly heavy and sweet without being cloying. You don’t really get much of a sense of the Irish Whiskey until you get to the midpalate. While the cream is clearly the star, the whiskey is there in the midpalate and helps balance some of the thick and creamy taste experience. The whiskey is also a supporting character in the finish, which is creamy with a dash of spice and dryness.
Kerrygold has built their brand on quality and they’ve done an excellent job of delivering a best-of-breed Irish cream. 84 points.
