Your nose knows. Fresh Baileys smells like Christmas in a cup—vanilla, chocolate, and whiskey hugs. Bad Baileys smells like a wet sock that fell into a vat of cheap rum. If you get a whiff of sour yogurt or something vaguely cheesy, it’s time for a funeral.
Look for lumps. Not the lumps you get from overpouring—actual curds. Fresh Baileys is silky. Spoiled Baileys has chunky bits that look like cottage cheese trying to escape. Pour a little into a glass; if it’s separated into a watery layer and a weird sludge, do not drink it.
How long does Baileys last once opened – and what are the best deals
Here’s a surprising fact: Baileys has a shelf life of two years unopened because it contains about 17% alcohol and a ton of cream stabilizers. But those stabilizers are not magic. They can’t stop a full-on bacterial rave once oxygen gets in.
