Teacher's Highland Cream

This is a budget blend that divides opinion. Ive read this is bottom shelf rot gut scotch. Ive also read this is a great scotch for the money. Im with the second group, this is a solid value. High malt ratio of 45% with Ardmore as the core plus 86 pf. Poured neat, nose has some peat but not strong like an Islay, its subtle but present. Notes of malty honey, distant fruit, buttered bread dough and sweet wood. The weight and heft are very surprising at this price point($25 for a handle 1.75). Creamy mouthfeel leads to palate of nice thick sweet malt, light peat smoke, toffee and some barrel char. Finish is some lingering mild smoky peat and good amount of oak and char with toffee and malt. More flavor than you would expect from a low price blend. Seriously this does not taste like a cheap scotch, its quite good(for the $). Yes it does have some grain note detriment but it is a blend so some is normal. It runs a little hot with some edge but is not an issue. Not complex but has lots of flavor, rare peat influence and plenty of malt. Huge bang for the buck and recommended............76/100.......value factors into score but this blend can stand on its own. It blows away JW Red and Dewars for about half the $$..This is the Ezra Brooks of scotch blends.

Average good

1. It is budget. B. Maltly, slight smoke, sweet, short finish. 3. Not bad for the buck.