🥃 Teacher's
Teacher's Highland Cream, a Scotch blended whisky from Glasgow; the brand was registered in 1884; about 45% malt whiskies; the heart of the blend is peated Ardmore.
Teacher's is a Scottish blended whisky, Highland Cream, made in Glasgow. The name was registered in 1884, and "1830" on the label marks the year the firm was founded. The blend has about 45% malt whiskies, which is a lot for an ordinary blend, and a smoky character from peated malt. The owner is Suntory Global Spirits.
History. According to Whiskypedia, William Teacher began selling whisky in Glasgow in 1834, after marrying a grocer's daughter, and in 1856 he opened his first licensed dram shop. The chain later grew to 18 premises. His sons moved into wholesale trading and blending. In 1898, according to Whiskypedia, the firm founded the Ardmore distillery in Kennethmont (Aberdeenshire) to have its own malt. The owners changed over time: Allied Lyons, Allied Domecq, Beam, and now Suntory.
How it is made. According to Whiskypedia, the blend contains more than 30 malt whiskies, with smoky Ardmore at its heart. Difford's Guide names at least 35 single malts and a strength of 40%. The official website gives 40% and 43% depending on the market. So the composition and strength may differ.
The range. Whiskypedia names Highland Cream, Origin with 65% malt, the 12-year-old Teacher's 50, and the single malt Ardmore.
Why this matters to you. Teacher's is a blend, not a single malt, although separate Ardmore releases exist. Check the strength, because it differs between markets. WHO reminds us: there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | Highland Cream, 1884 (Whiskypedia); "1830" is the founding year of the firm on the label |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (Blended Scotch Whisky) |
| EU category | 2 - whisky/whiskey |
| Raw material | malt whiskies (about 45%), grain whiskies; peated Ardmore |
| Minimum maturation | at least 3 years in oak by law; no age statement |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40% ABV (according to Difford's Guide); 43% in some markets |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Teacher's → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Previous step
- 🥃 Suntory Global Spirits
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- Made from
- 🥃 Highland whisky, 🥃 Peated whisky, 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Blended Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Johnnie Walker, 🥃 Chivas Regal, 🥃 J&B, 🥃 J&B, 🥃 White Horse, 🥃 White Horse, 🥃 The Dalmore, 🥃 The Dalmore
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Teacher's has existed since 1830?
That is the founding date of the firm shown on the label. The Highland Cream name was registered in 1884, and William Teacher began trading whisky in Glasgow in the 1830s.
What share of Teacher's is malt?
About 45% according to Whiskypedia; Difford's Guide says over 45%.
What is the strength of Teacher's?
40% ABV according to Difford's Guide; the official website also gives 43% ABV, depending on the market.
What is Ardmore?
A peated Highland distillery that the firm founded in 1898; its malt is the heart of the blend.
Who owns Teacher's?
Suntory Global Spirits, formerly Beam Suntory; Whiskypedia dates its joining the group to 2014.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🧪 Water — ~87% of milk.
- 🧑🤝🧑 British — People of Great Britain; their protected West Country Cheddar matures for at least 9 months, and tea is drunk with milk.
Similar
🥃 Black & White · 🥃 Vat 69 · 🥃 Loch Lomond Distillery · 🥃 Dalwhinnie · 🥃 100 Pipers · 🥃 Abhainn Dearg
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Scotchwhisky.com (Whiskypedia): Teacher's (Highland Cream registered 1884, Ardmore 1898, 45 % malt, 30+ malts, owners)
- Difford's Guide: Teacher's Highland Cream (40 %, 35+ single malts, 45+ % malt, Ardmore, Suntory)
- Teacher's Whisky (official site): Highland Cream, 40 % and 43 % ABV, peated malt character
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)