# Bailey's Irish Cream expires?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 20, 2004, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-expires/235380 "2004-03-20T12:56:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ludicrous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/82dd89/32.png) [@Ludicrous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludicrous)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-expires/235380/1 "2004-03-20T12:56:27Z")
I was reading the bottle label today and it said something along the lines of : _ideally consume before the date labeled._ Well the date said Jan 1999. So did my unopened bottle go bad? What can happen to an old bottle of Bailey’s? ---
**Author:** ![sunfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@sunfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunfish)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-expires/235380/2 "2004-03-20T13:08:16Z")
The cream inside will go bad eventually. I’ve had that happen to me, but it happened once the bottle had been open for a few months. I don’t know if your unopened bottle is still okay, but I suppose you could always open it and take a sip. If it smells funny and/or tastes like sour milk is mixed in, you’ll have to toss it. ---
**Author:** ![buckgully](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb9ed0/32.png) [@buckgully](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buckgully)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-expires/235380/3 "2004-03-20T13:10:20Z")
One thing that I know can happen is that the cream gets all chunky. I’ve known people who have still consumed it in this state to no ill effects, and said it tasted fine, but I wouldn’t try it myself. If it sits long enough everything seperates out and the cream turns into a big lump in the bottom of the bottle. At that stage I think it’s best to just throw it out. ---
**Author:** ![EvilGhandi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@EvilGhandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilGhandi)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-expires/235380/4 "2004-03-20T13:35:22Z")
A customer of mine recently gifted me with 2 cases of MRE’s. Well gifted, isnt quite the right word. Basicly he said these things are spoiled you wanna haul em to the dump for me? The pack date was 1991. I just ate a pack of M+M’s that said “Proud sponponser of the 1992 Oympics”. Tasted just like M+M’s. I did notice that the cocoa powder picked up a stale taste as did the cheese. Im guessing milk products, no matter how well packaged lose some flavor over time. ---
**Author:** ![Sami41](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c57346/32.png) [@Sami41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sami41)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-expires/235380/5 "2004-03-20T13:54:26Z")
I’m 99 percent sure that if it’s still sealed you’re OK. I’ve been in the booze biz for years and have never seen hard alcohol go bad to a point that it would make you sick. Super-sugary alcohols will lose their flavor (or, sometimes crystalize in the bottle). I’d say that if the consistancy and flavor are normal then go for it. The experation date is probably for bottles that have been opened. ---
**Author:** ![Chimpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@Chimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimpy)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-expires/235380/6 "2004-03-20T17:12:52Z")
> [@Sami41](#): > > I’m 99 percent sure that if it’s still sealed you’re OK. I’ve been in the booze biz for years and have never seen hard alcohol go bad to a point that it would make you sick. Super-sugary alcohols will lose their flavor (or, sometimes crystalize in the bottle). I’d say that if the consistancy and flavor are normal then go for it. The experation date is probably for bottles that have been opened. Have you had drinks actually crystalise? I mean now you think about it its obvious but still sound cool. Could you make alcoholic sweets this way? ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-expires/235380/7 "2004-03-20T18:10:30Z")
If in doubt, consult the [source](http://www.baileys.com/BaileysRW/openFAQ.do): > [@](#): > > Baileys is the only cream liqueur that guarantees a totally natural product which delivers that unique, smooth Baileys taste for 24 months from the day it was made. One of the keys to achieving this is the artful blending of fresh Irish cream and aged Irish whiskey - two products that are not normally compatible. This is achieved through a combination of art and science and without the use of additives or preservatives, which results in the alcohol acting as a natural preservative for the product. How we do this must remain one of the closely guarded secrets, which contribute to producing the world’s favourite liqueur. Baileys should be stored away from direct sunlight at temperature range of 5-35 degrees centigrade. You don’t have to refrigerate your bottle, but we would recommend it - and it tastes even better when chilled! Fluctuating its temperature too much will cause it to go lumpy - so try and always keep it roughly at the same temperature. The storage conditions are the same for sealed or unopened bottles. If you are concerned about a bottle of Baileys - all bottles now carry a best before date - have you checked the best consumed before date on the bottle? If so, have you exceeded the date? If you cannot find a date on the bottle, have you had the bottle for longer than 24 months? You don’t have to worry if you have - it is still fine to drink - it just won’t taste as good as usual. We wouldn’t recommend drinking it if it has gone lumpy or the mixture has separated though. Baileys contains no preservatives or additives and so should be consumed within 6 months of opening the bottle. ---
**Author:** ![Ludicrous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/82dd89/32.png) [@Ludicrous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludicrous)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baileys-irish-cream-expires/235380/8 "2004-03-21T00:09:48Z")
> [@DarrenS](#): > > If in doubt, consult the [source](http://www.baileys.com/BaileysRW/openFAQ.do): Okay, i think i’m safe. I put it in the fridge after i opened it. Next time i make a mudslide, i’ll taste-test a straight shot. And if it goes bad, well there’s always white russians.