Baileys Irish Cream

Baileys Irish Cream
Type Liqueur
Manufacturer Gilbeys of Ireland
Distributor Diageo
Country of origin Ireland
Introduced 1974
Alcohol by volume 17.0%
Variants Original
Mint Chocolate
Crème Caramel
Coffee
Hazelnut
Biscotti
Orange Truffle
Vanilla Cinnamon
Chocolate
Salted Caramel
Chocolate Cherry
Strawberry
Website baileys.com

Baileys Irish Cream is an Irish whiskey and cream based liqueur, made by Gilbeys of Ireland. The trademark is currently owned by Diageo. It has a declared alcohol content of 17% alcohol by volume.[1]

History and origin

Baileys Irish Cream was created by Gilbeys of Ireland, a division of International Distillers & Vintners, as it searched for something to introduce to the international market. The process of finding a product began in 1971 and it was introduced in 1974 as the first Irish cream on the market. The Baileys name, and the R.A. Bailey signature, were fictional, inspired by the Bailey's Hotel in London,[2][3] though the registered trademark omits the apostrophe. Baileys is produced in Dublin and under contract in Newtownabbey.

Manufacture

Bottle & Glass of Baileys Irish Cream

The alcohol and cream, together with some Irish whiskey from various distilleries,[4] are homogenized to form an emulsion with the aid of an emulsifier containing refined vegetable oil. This process prevents separation of the alcohol and cream during storage. The quantity of other ingredients is not known but they include herbs and sugar.[5]

According to the manufacturer no preservatives are required as the alcohol content preserves the cream. The cream used in the drink comes from Glanbia, an Irish dairy company. Glanbia's Virginia facility in County Cavan produces a range of fat-filled milk powders and fresh cream. It has been the principal cream supplier to Baileys Irish Cream Liqueurs for more than thirty years.

Storage and shelf life

The manufacturer claims Baileys Irish Cream has a shelf life of 24 months and guarantees its taste for two years from the day it was made - opened or unopened, stored in a refrigerator or not, when stored away from direct sunlight at temperatures between 0 and 25 °C (32 and 77 °F).[6]

Nutritional values

Diageo provides nutritional information for Baileys.[7]

Values per 100 ml:
Fat 14 g
Carbohydrate 24 g
Protein 3 g
Energy 1345 kJ (327 kcal)

Drinking

As is the case with milk, cream will curdle whenever it comes into contact with a weak acid. Milk and cream contain casein, which coagulates, when mixed with weak acids such as lemon, tonic water, or traces of wine. While this outcome is undesirable in most situations, some cocktails specifically encourage coagulation.

Variant flavours

In 2003, Bailey & Co. launched Baileys Glide, aimed at the alcopop market. It was discontinued in 2006.[8]

In 2005, Baileys launched mint chocolate and crème caramel variants of its Irish Cream at 17% ABV. They were originally released in UK airports and were subsequently released in the mass market of the UK, US, Australia and Canada in 2006. In 2008, Baileys, after the success of previous flavour variants, released a coffee variant of its Irish Cream with an ABV of 17%, followed by a Hazelnut flavoured variant in 2010.[9] The company trialled a new premium variety, Baileys Gold, at several European airports in 2009.[10] The Gold version also was marketed towards the Japanese consumer.[11] The latest additions to the Baileys flavour family are Biscotti, launched in 2011, and a sub-brand premium product Baileys Chocolat Luxe, which combined Belgian chocolate with Baileys in 2013. The company released a Vanilla-Cinnamon variety in the US market in 2013.[12]

As of 2010, Baileys has its own line of non-alcoholic coffee creamers.

Awards

International spirit ratings competitions, including at the San Francisco World Spiritis Competition, the Beverage Testing Institute, and others, have assessed Baileys offerings. In general, Baileys has performed well, with the classic Irish Cream generally receiving the highest awards.

Cocktails containing Baileys

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.ftc.gov/os/2005/09/050926tabaccocomment.pdf
  2. ↑ Clegg, Alicia (2005-08-12). "The Myth of Authenticity". Businessweek.com. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  3. ↑ "Irish Food History". Littleshamrocks.com. 1974-11-26. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  4. ↑ "Product and Company Information".
  5. ↑ Official site: Our story
  6. ↑ "NUTRITION & ALLERGIES".
  7. ↑
  8. ↑ "Baileys Glide bites the dust - Business support". Morning Advertiser. 2005-08-18. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  9. ↑ "Baileys With a Hint of Coffee". Thefoodielist.co.uk. 2008-12-23. Archived from the original on 15 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-14.
  10. ↑ "Diageo trials new Baileys in travel-retail". dfnionline.com. Archived from the original on 26 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
  11. ↑ Thomas N Garavan, Barra O' Cinneide, Mary Garavan, Anna Cunningham, Ambrose Downey, Trevor O'Regan and Briga Hynes Cases in Irish Business Strategy and Policy, p. 56, at Google Books
  12. ↑ http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nachrichten-2013-10/28325770-baileys-vanilla-cinnamon-irish-cream-launches-stylish-shots-on-the-go-pop-up-photo-booths-008.htm
  13. ↑ http://www.recipezaar.com/Baileys-Frappe-213049
  14. ↑ Hoare, Peter (January 9, 2014). "5 Awesome Drinks You Can Make With Fireball Cinnamon Whisky". Food & drinks. MTV. Retrieved June 17, 2014.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Baileys Irish Cream.