Cream of the Irish Liqueurs
There will be few people who haven't heard of Baileys Irish Cream. The Irish whiskey and cream based liqueur boasting a 17% alcohol content. It comes out at Christmas in many homes without fail, but what alternatives are on offer for 2016?
In 2008 an idea was formed to create a Premium Irish Cream Liqueur. The aim was simple: to make the world's most delicious tasting cream liqueur. 
For us it really was love at first taste when we discovered Coole Swan a few years ago. This clear, cool liqueur became our top pick throughout the year, guaranteed a spot on the table come December festivities, and sampled at every opportunity at shows and events. Baileys became relegated to second place.
Now this week we now have another contender to the Irish cream liqueur game, in the form of a rather nice bottle of Feeney's Irish Cream, that has landed on our desks.
Unlike Coole Swan, with its milky white bottle, Feeney's more resembles Baileys in a much darker bottle. Blended & bottled in the heart of the Irish countryside, Feeney's use the finest quality, careful selected 100% aged grain Irish whiskey and fresh, thick dairy cream - to produce an exceptionally high quality Irish cream liqueur.
It is advertised as "Creamy with initial notes of sweet cocoa and a hint of vanilla, Feeney's ends with a warm whiskey back note".
From the cows grazing in the pastures, it takes only 24 hours from dairy to distillery in Abbeyleix to produce Feeney's.
When it comes to comparing this to Baileys we think the Feeney's have taken Irish Cream just a step or two further. A much cleaner coating on the tongue, crisper flavours and smooth on the ride. But the afterkick of whisky is a definite stamp and much more aware than either the Baileys or the Coole Swan. This is one liqueur you will know you are drinking and will leave a very warm glow on the way down. For the whisky lover this would be the top choice liqueur of all three.
For those who want their liqueur to be a little more mild and smooth but with an incredibly clean flavour, Coole Swan offers all round perfection in every way..
And for those who are looking for memories and something to remind them of days of old, there will always be a place for the Baileys at the back of the drinks cabinet!