Wow, Teacher's!

[talisker10]

When I found the McClellands's inexpensive SMS range I thought I was through with blends. But for some reason I thought I would buy a bottle of Teacher's since it was on sale for $13. This had drawn a lot of recommendations here, but WOW!. It's even better than I expected. I don't get too much smoke, but very fruity and smooth. A bit like Glenfiddich 12 yr, but much better. Can't believe it is a blend!

[dramtastic]

Haven't tried it but great to hear you've found a whisky that knocks your socks off. The outlaws really enjoy a good blend so I'll grab a bottle for them and maybe sneak a quiet one for myself.

Cheers

[shulaw05]

teachers has a very good reputation around these boards. inexpensive and reliable, i try to always have a bottle in my cabinet.

[Novice Scotch Fan]

When I found the McClellands's inexpensive SMS range I thought I was through with blends. But for some reason I thought I would buy a bottle of Teacher's since it was on sale for $13. This had drawn a lot of recommendations here, but WOW!. It's even better than I expected. I don't get too much smoke, but very fruity and smooth. A bit like Glenfiddich 12 yr, but much better. Can't believe it is a blend!

Glad that you tried Teachers! It is a truly great blend and IMHO very unique. I never have detected the "fruity" notes in the flavor profile that you refer to, but do agree lots of nice smoke. I never grow bored with this blend. Lots going on and lots to ponder in the flavors on the palate. Enjoy! As the old ads for Teachers say: "Its the flavor!"

[Gov]

Yeah, to me Teachers is nothing like 'Fiddich 12. Anyway, I love Teachers!

[talisker10]

Yeah I did not phrase that well. What I meant is that it briefly reminds me of Glenfiddich 12 at first sip, but then goes way past it and is much better.

[irishwhiskeychaser]

Yes one of the better Scottish blends for me also.

Great to see a thread like this here ... nothing wrong in having a few blends in your artillery, I actually think it is positively a necessity

Well done for posting

[badgerbrown]

I got a bottle of Teachers at Christmas, and I have to say that I'm not enjoying it at all. I find it flat, dulled by caramel, and pretty much smoke-free. Maybe I got a bad batch, I don't know, but I did used to drink it years ago, admittedly with coke (before I knew better), and it was great back then. Now I just don't get the hype at all.

By contrast, a standard blend that I am really enjoying at the moment is JW Red Label. There's much more smoke in it than in Teachers, and it's creamy and malty too, with lots of vanilla cream. Far more enjoyable IMO and totally unworthy of the bad press it gets.

I'm sure that batch variation must have a lot to do with this. The JWR I have open at the moment is over 2 years old (in terms of when it was purchased) and I have another one in the wings which was purchased at Christmas 2008, so maybe my opinion will change again. This could be the case with Teachers too, but on the current evidence on my shelf, JWR blows Teachers away.

[talisker10]

I actually like JWR as well, better than JW Black. I don't get much smoke in Teacher's either, but obviously like it otherwise. I will say it's a bit too sweet for me to drink too often.

[Lawrence]

Teacher's is a great blend especially for the price, every once in a while I have a dram to remind myself of the quality.

[Megawatt]

I bought one bottle of Teacher's and though it wasn't bad, it failed to impress, especially in light of the rave reviews. I only really started to enjoy it on the last glass or two. I'll definitely give it another shot, since it's cheap.

As it stands now, though, I would prefer Johnnie Walker Red, The Famous Grouse or Ballantine's Finest for an entry-level blend. The best blend I've tried is still Johnnie Walker Black.

[irishwhiskeychaser]

I sometimes think people expect too much from scotch blends at times ....

There is just a nice underlying touch of smoke to Teachers but it is not meant to be out there blowing you mind.

You probably should not compare a blend to say an islay single malt and expect as much gratification.

For me a blend is the equivlent to comfort food Something to sip when your tired or to share with friends when you are socialising. Something you can enjoy and not put too much thought into.

And that is why Teachers is held in such high regard as it is a good decent blend.

[Le Jock Sportif]

Allied privately claim that Teacher's has a higher malt content than any other standard blend in Scotland (Including the Black Bottle).

It's a fine example of the blender's art.