Is Kavanaugh a good Irish cream?

Kavanaugh is an Irish cream liqueur produced by the Irish company First Ireland Spirits. It was first launched in 1991 and is one of the more popular Irish cream liqueurs on the market today. But is it actually a good Irish cream? What qualities make for a good Irish cream liqueur? Here we’ll examine the history, ingredients, taste and reviews of Kavanaugh to determine if it lives up to the hype or not.

Table of Contents

What Makes a Good Irish Cream Liqueur?

Irish cream liqueurs are cream-based liqueurs made in Ireland. The original Irish cream, and still the most popular, is Baileys. A good Irish cream liqueur should have the following qualities:

A rich, velvety texture from fresh dairy cream. The cream should not feel too heavy or greasy on the palate.
A sweet yet balanced flavor profile. The sweetness of the cream and sugar should not completely overpower the whiskey notes.
Pleasant whiskey undertones. Irish cream gets its kick from Irish whiskey, so the spirit flavor should come through.
Long, warming finish. The cream and whiskey flavors should linger pleasantly after swallowing.
An alcohol content around 15-20% ABV (alcohol by volume). Too low and it won’t have enough kick, too high and it will burn.
Natural flavoring and coloring. No artificial additives or preservatives.

The highest quality Irish creams will be made from fresh Irish dairy cream, contain real Irish whiskey, and have an all-natural ingredient list. This produces a sweet yet balanced liqueur that finishes smooth and warm.

History of Kavanaugh Irish Cream

Kavanaugh Irish Cream originates from County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. It was created by the Reynolds family, who also own and operate the Kavanaugh Whiskey Distillery.

The inspiration for Kavanaugh came during a winter ski trip in the Alps. After a day on the slopes, the Reynolds family warmed up with hot chocolates laced with whiskey. This inspired them to create a bottled drink that replicated that flavor.

After experimenting with different Irish whiskey and cream recipes, Kavanaugh Irish Cream was born. It was named after the scenic Kavanaugh Mountains that can be viewed from the family’s distillery.

Kavanaugh was launched in 1991, making it a much younger Irish cream brand compared to others like Baileys (which debuted in 1974). It is exported globally and aims to compete as a quality yet affordable Irish cream liqueur.

Kavanaugh Ingredients

Kavanaugh contains the following ingredients:

Taste Profile

So how does Kavanaugh actually taste compared to a classic Irish cream like Baileys?

It has a similar thick, creamy texture that is smooth on the palate. The fresh dairy cream provides a sweetness and velvety feel.

The chocolate and coffee flavors are robust, aided by the pure cocoa extract. It tastes similar to chocolate milk, with a pleasant maltiness.

The Irish whiskey notes are subtle. You get gentle hints of vanilla, caramel and oak layered underneath the rich cream. It provides a slight whiskey kick on the finish.

Compared to Baileys, Kavanaugh has a stronger chocolate flavor. While Baileys focuses more on the whiskey profile. Kavanaugh is sweeter overall, almost dessert-like.

Both have a comparable 15-20% ABV. Kavanaugh drinks very smoothly with no harsh alcohol burn. The creaminess helps balance the spirit strength.

Reviews

Here are some reviews of Kavanaugh Irish Cream from around the web:

“Kavanaugh has a really luxurious, velvety texture that coated my mouth nicely. The chocolate flavor is quite potent, almost like a liquid chocolate bar! I found it almost too sweet for my tastes though and could have done with a bit more whiskey bite.” – The Daily Sip

“A quality Irish cream with lovely fresh dairy notes. While sweet, it’s not overly saccharine and cloying. The chocolate and coffee pairing is done very well. For the price, it’s a great Baileys alternative.” – Liquor Reviews
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“Kavanaugh delivers on being a smooth, creamy, chocolatey Irish cream. It’s quite sweet so more suited to dessert pairings than just sipping on its own. Definitely recommended for any Irish cream fans!” – Spirits Enthusiast

The reviews praise Kavanaugh’s velvety texture and strong chocolate flavor. Some felt it was very sweet, while others enjoyed the sweetness paired with dessert. Most reviews rate it as a quality Irish cream that provides a more affordable alternative to Baileys.

How to Drink Kavanaugh

Kavanaugh Irish Cream is quite versatile and can be consumed in a variety of ways:

On its own over ice
Mixed into coffee instead of creamer
Poured over ice cream or desserts
In cocktails – such as mudslides or Irish cream martinis
In shooters – like an Irish slip or blow job shot
In baked goods or milkshakes

Its thick, creamy texture allows it to be poured, drizzled, or dolloped onto various desserts and ice creams. The chocolate flavor pairs especially well with chocolate-based treats.

For cocktails, Kavanaugh substitutes nicely in place of Baileys or other Irish creams. It blends well with coffee liqueurs, vodkas, and chocolate liquors.

Straight up over ice is also popular, letting the Irish cream flavors shine through. Add a splash of whiskey for an extra kick if you prefer.

Nutritional Info

Here are the nutritional facts for a 1.5oz (45ml) serving of Kavanaugh Irish Cream:

Calories	167
Carbohydrates	14g
Sugars	13g
Protein	1g
Fat	11g

Like most Irish creams, Kavanaugh is high in calories, carbohydrates and sugars. This is mainly from the dairy cream and added sugar.

There is some protein from the Irish dairy cream. But overall it is considered a sweet alcoholic dessert drink rather than a nutritional beverage.

Consuming Irish cream liqueurs in moderation is recommended as part of a balanced diet. The high sugar content means they have a relatively high calorie density.

Prices and Availability

Kavanaugh Irish Cream retails for around $20-25 USD for a 750ml bottle. It is commonly priced lower than premium Irish cream brands:

Kavanaugh Irish Cream	$20-25
Baileys Original Irish Cream	$25-35
Carolans Irish Cream	$15-20

Kavanaugh can be purchased at most major liquor stores in the US, UK, Ireland, Canada and Australia. It is also available online from retailers like Amazon or Drizly.

As it’s imported from Ireland, the price may vary depending on your location. But in general, it provides a cost-effective Irish cream option.

FAQs

Here are some common questions about Kavanaugh Irish Cream:

Does Kavanaugh use real Irish dairy cream?

Yes, Kavanaugh contains fresh cream from Irish cows. It helps give it a thick, velvety texture.

What whiskey is in Kavanaugh?

Kavanaugh uses a proprietary blend of Irish malt and grain whiskeys distilled at the Kavanaugh distillery.

Is Kavanaugh lactose free or vegan?

No, Kavanaugh contains fresh Irish dairy cream so is not vegan or lactose free.

Does Kavanaugh go bad or expire?

Unopened bottles last for at least 12-24 months. Once opened, it’s best consumed within 6 months. Look for any curdling or separation which are signs it may have spoiled.

Can you make cocktails with Kavanaugh?

Yes, Kavanaugh can substitute for Baileys or other Irish creams in popular cocktails like mudslides, Irish coffee or chocolate martinis.

Conclusion

Kavanaugh is a quality Irish cream liqueur that delivers smooth creaminess, chocolate sweetness, and subtle whiskey notes. It provides a lower cost alternative to premium brands like Baileys while maintaining strong flavors and a natural ingredient list.

The chocolate profile is more dominant compared to others, making Kavanaugh excel in dessert drink pairings. It’s ideal for those with a sweet tooth who enjoy robust chocolate creamy liqueurs. Drink it chilled, in cocktails, with desserts or simply pour over ice cream for an indulgent treat.

Overall, Kavanaugh deserves its place among top Irish cream liqueurs. While it may not have the brand recognition of Baileys, it provides an affordable, indulgent Irish cream drinking experience.

Is Kavanaugh a good Irish cream? - Resto NYC (2024)