Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur Review & Tasting Notes

 

Fall is the season for cream liqueurs and nogs. I’m a fan of good ones (and believe me, many don’t fit the bill). So when Holladay Distillery sent me a sample of its Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur to review, I readily accepted.

 

Irish cream is made from Irish whiskey, dairy cream, and other flavorings. Usually, the ABV is between 15% and 20% (30° to 40°) and can be sipped neat or added to cocktails or even to flavor coffee. Irish cream is a protected class of spirits: it must always be made in Ireland.

 

Five Farms is made entirely in County Cork, Ireland. That’s the home of both distilling and dairy cattle farming.

 

“In County Cork, grass grows 300 days out of the year, in cycles of up to 21 days in the summer but as long as 80 days in the winter months. Healthy grass starts with soil fertility, and caring for the soil in ways that produce healthy grass has been an initiative in Ireland. The best grass is dry and leafy, without stems. It can be turned straight into milk and produces milk that is higher in fat.” – Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur

 

The recipe starts with cream that is high in butterfat. There are five dairy farms involved, hence the brand’s name. Within 48 hours of harvesting the cream, it is blended with triple-distilled Irish whiskey, 10% of the finished product. Overall, it is 17% ABV (34°).

 

I don’t talk much about packaging, but I shall in this case. The bottle is made from black glass and possesses a metal swing handle that helps keep a tight seal. It is undoubtedly eye-catching amongst the simple glass (or plastic) bottles on the shelf. You can expect to pay in the neighborhood of $34.99 for a 750ml.

 

Before I #DrinkCurious, I must thank Holladay Distillery, the brand’s importer, for this opportunity in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

Appearance: I poured this liqueur into a rocks glass and drank it neat. Before tasting, I had the bottle in my refrigerator so it would be chilled. For whatever reason, I expected the liquid to be white or whiteish. Instead, it was the color of chocolate milk.  

 

Nose: The aroma was heavy with the smell of butterscotch. There was marshmallow and vanilla cream as well. I tried to pluck something whiskey-like but failed to accomplish that. Drawing the air into my mouth offered sweet vanilla cream.

 

Palate: The texture of Five Farms was incredibly thick and creamy. I tasted the Irish whiskey component at the front of my palate. It wasn’t overwhelming, but it also wasn’t difficult to discern. Vanilla cream, chocolate, and sherry notes followed. The back had just a kiss of cinnamon.

 

Finish: In my experience, cream liqueurs don’t have extended finishes. Five Farms bucked that trend. Medium-to-long in duration, the cream, chocolate, and cinnamon notes provided a refreshing feeling in my mouth and throat.  

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I’ve tasted several cream liqueurs this autumn, and Five Farms is outstanding. I blew through my 375ml bottle quickly because I loved this sipping experience and left wanting more. The retail package is 750ml, which is good because it means there’s more on hand (for however long that would last). Obviously, it earns my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you to do so responsibly.