We compared Baileys with M&S, Sainsbury's, Asda, Lidl, Aldi and

I was never that keen on Baileys until a few years back when I began taking a liking to the stuff. Having spent two decades living with someone obsessing over the stuff, I guess it had to rub off at some point. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em as they say.

Now it’s among our favourite festive tipples and it’s usually the main Irish liqueur brand we get, often as a gift. But there are so many other versions of it available at other stores that we decided to give the others a try to see how they compare.

Size wise and the majority offer a 700ml bottle of the stuff, it’s only Lidl and Morrisons where you’re getting a litre. They’re all the same 17% volume as Baileys too, except for Aldi’s Ballycastle, which is 12%.

We compared Baileys with versions from M&S, Sainsbury's, Asda, Lidl, Aldi and Morrisons — We compared Baileys with versions from M&S, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Lidl, Aldi and Morrisons -Credit:Manchester Family / MEN

We felt Asda’s version was least like the real thing, largely because it’s a Blonde Chocolate version – caramel and vanilla flavour – and tasted like melted Caramilk with a boozy kick, not a bad flavour, but a bit too sweet for our liking.

The ones from M&S and Lidl were a bit of a darker cream and you could really taste the whiskey in those two.

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference is a silkier liqueur with a strong cocoa flavour making it rich and sweet.

On taste and consistency, Morrisons The Best stood out for being strikingly similar to Baileys. You’d honestly struggle to tell the two apart. But at £16 a litre, when you can buy the real thing for around the same price or less, you’d at least expect that to be the case.

If you want something that tastes similar to the real deal, but costs a fraction of the price, then there’s only one winner – Aldi’s Ballycastle.

There was just one bottle left in store when I went for one and I’m told it regularly sells out. Now it’s reduced from £4.99 a bottle to £4.49 – even cheaper than last year – I expect it’ll be even trickier to get hold of.

At a fraction of the price of Baileys, Aldi's Ballycastle was our overall winner — At a fraction of the price of Baileys, Aldi’s Ballycastle was our overall winner -Credit:Manchester Family / MEN

Despite it being the lowest strength, you can still taste the warming alcohol and the chocolate and vanilla flavouring makes it rich and creamy – and just a little too moreish. If you manage to bag one this Christmas, you won’t be disappointed.

Morrisons The Best Irish Cream Liqueur (1 litre) £16
Lidl Deluxe Irish Cream (1 litre) £10.99
M&S Irish Cream Liqueur (700ml) £10
Sainsbury’s Irish Cream Liqueur (700ml) £13, or £9 with Nectar card
Asda Extra Special Blonde Chocolate Flavour Liqueur (700ml) £8
Aldi Ballycastle Classic Country Cream Liqueur (700ml) £4.49

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