Lifestyle

GETTING a bottle of Baileys in for Christmas (or several) is top of the shopping list in many households this festive season, including my own.

A blend of cream and Irish whiskey, a bottle of the branded stuff can set you back a fair few pounds.

Usually costing around £13, or £10 at the cheapest deal price, a supermarket dupe can save you cash.

But how do the drinks compare when it comes to taste? I gave versions from Asda, Morrisons and Aldi a go, as well as M&S, Lidl and Sainsbury’s. 

I rated them on taste and price to give them an overall score out of 10.

Using Baileys as my comparison, which offers the perfect blend of cream and booze, here are the ones worth adding to your Christmas trolley.

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Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Irish Cream

  • £9 (£12.50 per litre)
8
Sainsbury's take on Irish Cream would not be top of my shopping list

This was on the sweet side, perhaps too sweet for some, and there was a strong alcohol flavour.

But it left me with a lingering, almost antiseptic aftertaste, and wasn’t as well blended as Baileys and others.

In terms of price, it’s squarely middle of the road. While not the most expensive or the cheapest, you can definitely find better taste for your money.

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  • Price: 3/5
  • Taste: 2/5
  • Overall score: 5/10

Morrisons The Best Irish Cream Liqueur

  • £13 (£13 per litre)
8
The supermarket's Irish cream certainly lives up to its name

Morrisons’ version of the classic goes down very well.

It’s creamy and well-blended, offering a taste of alcohol without too big a hit, then a smooth finish.

I’d almost go as far as saying it’s better than Baileys, and certainly close in taste.

It is pricier than others, but does come in a one-litre bottle.

  • Price: 3/5
  • Taste: 5/5
  • Overall score: 8/10

Aldi Specially Selected Irish Cream Liqueur

  • £7.99 (£11.41 per litre)

Super sweet and artificial, the balance of cream and alcohol is off in Aldi’s premium Irish Cream.

The drink leaves a certain tang that catches in the back of the throat.

While certainly cheaper than a Baileys, there are better tasting options at the same price point.

  • Price: 4/5
  • Taste: 3/5
  • Overall score: 7/10

M&S Irish Cream Liqueur

  • £10 (£14.29 per litre)

Delicious and perfectly balanced with thick cream and a decent hit of quality whisky flavour.

M&S’ indulgent Irish Cream tasted just like Baileys, and was the closest in taste of any I tried.

The only drawback is the price. If you can’t find Baileys on deal, usually £10 at its cheapest, this is the perfect alternative that is just like the real deal.

  • Price: 1/5
  • Taste: 5/5
  • Overall score: 6/10

Asda Blonde Chocolate flavour Cream Liqueur

  • £8 (£11.43 per litre)

Asda doesn’t do a straight Irish Cream, so I gave this blonde chocolate one a go instead.

Well balanced with a strong caramel-y biscuit flavour it’s intensely sweet, and won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.

While I can happily sip through several glasses of Baileys on Christmas Day, I don’t think I’d manage more than one of these without getting a toothache.

  • Price: 4/5
  • Taste: 2/5
  • Overall score: 6/10

Aldi Ballycastle Country Cream

  • £4.99 (£7.13 per litre)

An absolute steal at under a fiver, but for good reason.

At 12% abv, Aldi's Ballycastle has less alcohol than all the others and Baileys, which are 17%.

And it shows. It was rather flat, lacked body and I couldn’t taste the alcohol. It was more milky than the full-fat creamy flavour you'd expect from an Irish Cream.

While it was by far the cheapest, I knocked off a point to reflect the lower alcohol content.

  • Price: 4/5
  • Taste: 3/5
  • Overall score: 7/10

Lidl Irish Cream Liqueur

  • £7.99 (£11.41 per litre)

Another well-blended drink, Lidl’s liqueur has a perfect combo of cream and alcohol. 

It’s almost identical to Baileys and the only giveaway is that it’s slightly on the thinner side.

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But at this price, I’d certainly swap it for the festive celebrations.

  • Price: 4/5
  • Taste: 5/5
  • Overall score: 9/10

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