Irish Cream liqueur drinkers know this velvety delight is not just a festive treat but a year-round delight. Recently, Baileys has introduced a plethora of new flavours to entice consumers to keep their pantries stocked throughout the year. But there are also a variety of alternative Irish Cream brands which have entered the market, from supermarket offerings to premium options aiming to reinvent the classic. One such emerging brand eager to lure shoppers away from their usual Baileys is Coole Swan, which made its UK debut last year to widespread praise. The brand boldly declares itself as ‘Baileys, but better’ in a fresh campaign and has slashed its premium price tag from £26 to £20 in a special deal for Tesco Clubcard members, both in-store and online until April 21. With St Patrick’s Day looming on March 17, it’s an ideal time to give the Baileys rival a whirl.
Coole Swan’s award-winning liqueur is crafted in small batches in Ireland using top-notch ingredients including single malt whiskey, thick fresh cream (both Irish), Belgian white chocolate and Madagascan vanilla pods. Since its launch, it has been earning recognition among alcohol connoisseurs, bagging numerous awards and commendations, most notably double golds at the internationally-renowned San Francisco Wine and Spirits Awards where it was also crowned the World’s Best Liqueur, reports Wales Online. In a showdown of the best Irish liqueurs by foodie website Tasting Table, Coole Swan emerged victorious, outshining Baileys and 12 other contenders. The site’s expert praised it as ‘the only Irish cream liqueur I would safely rate above Baileys,’ adding: “Worth every penny of its higher-end price point. Coole Swan is perfectly balanced in a way that’s almost difficult to comprehend.”
As a long-time Baileys fan, Narin Flanders was curious to compare the two brands directly and was taken aback by the visible difference. Coole Swan takes pride in using real Belgian white chocolate – the brand explicitly states that it uses pure chocolate rather than chocolate flavouring – resulting in a noticeably lighter hue than Baileys, which is rumoured to rely on a milk chocolate blend for its signature taste.
Given the prominence of white chocolate in their mix, one might expect Coole Swan to have a sweeter taste, akin to the typical sweetness of white over milk chocolate. However, my first sip revealed a mellow flavour with less of an initial punch – perhaps due to the smooth character of the single malt.
For Narin, the flavour of Baileys unfolds gradually. Initially, a sweet aroma greets your senses, followed by the warmth of alcohol hitting your throat, and finally, a creamy finish that soothes the burn.
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Coole Swan, while containing similar ingredients, presents a more harmonious blend where all elements are experienced simultaneously. Instead of a fiery undertone succeeded by a sweet, comforting finale, everything is balanced from the get-go.
Narin also stumbled upon a revelation that propels Coole Swan into superior Irish cream territory. As a devoted Baileys fan, she’s enjoyed many a hot chocolate laced with the liqueur at Christmas markets or festive cocktails.
However, Narin’s preferred way to savour this favourite tipple is chilled – typically over a large ice cube. As the ice melts, it dilutes and sometimes even separates the drink, leaving the last few sips somewhat watery.
Coole Swan, on the other hand, boasts such fresh ingredients that once opened, it must be kept refrigerated. This means you can enjoy Irish cream ice-cold without the need for ice cubes.
Despite her longstanding affection for Baileys, Coole Swan has not only won a place in Narin’s heart but also secured a spot in her fridge. She’s clearly not the only one enamoured with the brand, as it has racked up more than 1,200 reviews and boasts an average rating of 4.6 stars on Amazon.
Meanwhile, Tesco shoppers have awarded the liqueur a stellar 4.6-star rating based on eight glowing reviews. One thrilled customer said: “This is so beautiful, creamy and a better class of liqueur. Move over Baileys, there’s a new drink in town.”
Its price seems to be the sticking point for some buyers, as one three-star reviewer said: “This is very much overpriced for a 16% drink, the bottle’s not very big either.”
However, another sang its praises, writing: “The most delicious Irish cream liqueur I have ever tasted. Creamy, luxuriously smooth and very moreish. The taste of alcohol is not overwhelming either, which I find with Baileys and other Irish creams. Don’t think I could go back to anything else after trying this, the only downside being the price.”
Cream liqueurs are on the rise these days, as Baileys has introduced a variety of flavours such as birthday cake, while established names like Hotel Chocolat have ventured into their own concoctions, including an Espresso Martini flavoured vodka liqueur that tastes akin to liquid tiramisu. Not to be left behind, Five Farms is yet another Irish cream contender aiming to capture hearts in the bustling UK market.
But Coole Swan appears to be making significant strides against Baileys, and the brand’s Clubcard deal, offering a 23% discount off the regular price, will be available until April 21 for Tesco shoppers looking to capitalise on the £20 offer.