When I first laid eyes on this bottle, my immediate reaction was: what in the world is this? Is it a liqueur? A whiskey? Somehow both? Honestly, I’m still not entirely sure—but I can tell you this: the taste was nothing like I expected.

Shanky’s Whip is an Irish brand crafted in Cavan, Ireland. It blends the smoothness of Irish whiskey with rich notes of vanilla and caramel, creating a flavor profile that’s both surprising and indulgent. According to their website, it’s essentially Irish whiskey infused with the essence of cream, vanilla, and caramel—and I have to say, that description is spot on. Let’s dive in.

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Nose: vanilla, caramel and coffee

Palate: sweet with notes of vanilla and caramel

Finish: sweet vanilla

ABV: 33%

Cost: $1.99 (we purchased a small 50ml bottle)

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To me, this leans much more toward a liqueur than a whiskey. The whiskey notes are almost entirely absent in every tasting experience I had. On its own, it’s overwhelmingly sweet—but to be fair, they never claim it’s meant to be sipped neat, so that’s on me. The real magic happens when it’s served over ice or mixed into cocktails. On the rocks, the sweetness is still there, but the caramel notes really come alive. As someone who doesn’t typically go for sweet drinks, I was surprised—it wasn’t bad at all.

My favorite way to enjoy it? In coffee, paired with a splash of Irish cream. That’s where this concoction truly shines. It adds just the right touch of sweetness, along with those rich caramel and vanilla undertones that make it feel indulgent without being overpowering.

If you enjoy crafting cocktails and are on the hunt for a versatile liqueur, this one’s a fantastic choice. I was genuinely impressed—so much so that I plan to pick up a bottle specifically for mixing. At just $25 for a 750ml bottle, it’s a great value for the flavor and flexibility it brings.

Cheers!

Note: The contents on my blog are solely my opinion. To me every palate is different! Although I may or may not like a product, I always recommend for people to try it and make up their own minds.