Review | Teacher’s Highland Cream

Often simply referred to as Teacher’s, this is one of the best-selling blended Scotch whiskies in the world. Teacher’s Highland Cream is labelled as ‘High In Peated Malt’ due to its usage of malt spirit from Ardmore distillery. It sits alongside Teacher’s Origin premium blended whisky, which has a high 65% malt content. There is also Teacher’s 50, a 50% grain and 50% malt blend, that is exclusive for the Indian market.

Teacher’s whisky was first established in 1830. William Teacher began selling and blending whisky from his wife’s grocery store in Glasgow. This was a trend of the time and is similar to the origins of other famous blends that evolved from such shops. These include John Walker (Kilmarnock), James and John Chivas (Aberdeen), Arthur Bell (Perth), and George Ballantine (Edinburgh).

Teacher was joined by his sons, William Jr and Adam, in 1856 and William Teacher & Sons was founded. His sons took full control upon Teacher’s death in 1876. The Highland Cream name was first registered in 1884. As the popularity of blended whisky grew, William Teacher’s & Sons expanded. This involved building their first distillery in 1898 – Ardmore in the east Highlands. This produces peated whisky, which remains the key ingredient in the Teacher’s blends today.

Interestingly, Teacher’s was the first commercial whisky to use cork stoppers rather than screw caps. Then, in 1972, it became the first blended Scotch to sell over one million cases per year in the UK.  William Teacher & Sons also owned the largest chain of pubs in Glasgow between the 1850s and 1940s. Teacher’s is currently owned by Suntory Global Spirits.

Teacher’s Highland Cream is available globally but is particularly popular in Brazil, India, the UK and USA. It is bottled at 40% ABV and should cost around £18-20 per bottle.

---

Our Tasting Notes

The colour is golden yellow and the nose is sweet, malty and smoky. Plentiful aromas of floral sweet honey and vanilla fudge rise first, and are quickly joined by milk chocolate and toffee apple. A distinct maltiness sits underneath that is bittersweet, earthy and biscuity. A gentle wisp of peat smoke wraps around everything nicely.

On the palate this whisky is light and sweet in texture, but distinct and bolder in terms of flavour. It is again sweet and malty upfront but with a lovely and well integrated level of bittersweet ashy smokiness. This is again soft and wisps around all the characteristics, holding them together. Think of freshly baked malty biscuits with some golden syrup and floral honey.

There is a good fruity balance between ripe orchard fruit (pear especially), juicy sugary sultana and a hint of tropicals (especially apricot and guava). Some milk chocolate and pinch of cocoa powder sits underneath.

The finish is a little short but is more peaty and ashy than on the nose and palate. The smoke grows and expands to express itself further and adds a peppery heat and increasing ash-like dryness. This is especially true once the sweet and malty notes have faded.

---

What’s The Verdict?

We enjoyed revisiting Teacher’s after a long period of time. The light and vibrant fell gave us a summery vibe, which is perfect for the time of year that we are sampling it. The Highland Cream is nice when taken neat but would suit being mixed best.

The distinct maltiness and delicate level of smoke will stand out and let you know that you have whisky in your glass. This is required to deal with the sweetness of any mixer, such as cola or ginger ale. It is easy drinking and does what it does well. Easy to see why it is so popular and sells so well.