Shanky's Whip Irish Whiskey Liqueur 175 cl 33%

A jockey in a white jersey, an ostrich in the traces, a whip curling through the air, all set on a yellow label that looks like it came out of an old matchbox. Behind the joke sits a black, soft liqueur from County Cavan in Ireland, here in the big 1.75 litre bottle for a long evening.

Expert description

Shanky's Whip 175 cl is an Irish Whiskey Liqueur from Ireland, made from Irish whiskey and Irish spirit and bottled at 33%.

It is distilled in County Cavan, then blended and bottled by Shanky & Shireman in Bailieborough. The base is Irish whiskey and Irish spirit, with cream flavour, vanilla and caramel added. There is no cream in the bottle, yet the body and sweetness sit close to a cream liqueur. The colour is black and adjusted with caramel, as the back label states.

The bottle is dark and tall, with the word Ireland embossed in the glass. The liquid is the same as in the 70 cl bottle, just in a format that gets a party or a bar through the night without running dry.

Tasting notes

Nose

Toffee, butter and vanilla come first, with a faint trace of sweet spice behind. It smells more like dessert than like a cask.

Palate

Soft and thick on the tongue. Caramel, vanilla and cream carry most of it, while the spice from the whiskey slips in from the side. The sweetness is clear, but you don't get the sharpness of a straight whiskey.

Finish

Long and sweet, with some butterscotch and a small Irish whiskey note at the very end.

Specifications

Name: Shanky's Whip
Bottler: Shanky & Shireman
Region/Country: Ireland
Type: Irish Whiskey Liqueur
ABV: 33%
Size: 175 CL
Natural colour: No
EAN no.: 0810035511668
Serving suggestion: Over ice, with cola or in coffee

Flavour profile

Sweet · Creamy · Caramel · Vanilla · Toffee

Did you know?

The ostrich on the label is no accident. According to the brand's own legend, Shanky was an Irish jockey and part-time distiller who got banned from the racetrack and took up racing ostriches instead. The brand itself says the legends are unverified.

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Frequently asked questions about Shanky's Whip 175 cl

Is Shanky's Whip a whiskey or a liqueur?

It is a liqueur made from Irish whiskey and Irish spirit, bottled at 33%. It tastes sweet and creamy. It is not a whiskey, but not a classic cream liqueur either, since it contains no cream. You can find more in our liqueur selection.

What does Shanky's Whip taste like?

Sweet and soft, with toffee, caramel and vanilla. Behind that sit a little sweet spice and a faint whiskey note. It is more dessert than dram, with no harsh edge from the alcohol.

How do you drink Shanky's Whip?

It works over ice, but also mixed with cola or in coffee. Use a small whisky glass if you want it neat and cold. The brand itself suggests ice, cola and coffee.

Which cocktails can you make with Shanky's Whip?

An Espresso Martini is the obvious place to start, and it can replace part of the whiskey in an Irish Coffee. The brand also lists the Irish Latte, Irish Mule and Root Beer Float. We have an Espresso Martini recipe, and you can read more about Irish Coffee.

What is the difference between Shanky's Whip and Baileys?

Shanky's Whip is black and made from Irish whiskey, while Baileys is a golden cream liqueur built on cream. Shanky's Whip tastes of cream without containing it, and it feels lighter in the mouth.

Who is Shanky?

Shanky is the brand's character on the label, an Irish jockey riding an ostrich. In the story he was a part-time distiller who got banned from racing. The brand says the legends are unverified.

Is the 175 cl bottle the same liqueur as the 70 cl?

Yes, the liquid is the same and the ABV is 33%. The big bottle is for bars, parties and larger groups, where 70 cl is gone fast.