Suntory Global Spirits has unveiled a three-strong addition to the portfolio of its blended scotch whisky flagship, Teacher’s, all of which mark the brand’s debut in single malt.
The trio of new aged expressions, matured for 12, 15 and 18 years, are all sourced from the brand owner’s Ardmore distillery in the Highlands whisky production region. The facility has an established relationship with Teacher’s, providing the “lightly peated malt” that is “at the heart” of the brand’s Highland Cream mark.
The range, all of which carry an ABV of 40%, has gone on sale this month in India through spirits specialists in the country’s off-premise, prior to rolling out to the global travel retail channel in the Middle East at the start of next year. Australia, China, Singapore and Sri Lanka will also stock the extensions from an unspecified time in 2027.
SRPs in the Middle East’s GTR are US$55 for the 12-year-old, $78 for the 15-year-old and $105 for the 18-year-old.
“This may seem an unexpected move from a well-established blended whisky maker but … Teacher’s always does things its own way,” said Suntory Global Spirits’ senior marketing director for scotch whisky & Irish whiskey, Kirsteen Beeston. “We know whisky fans are looking to expand their repertoire from blends to malts, and Teacher’s now offers both.
“Whisky enthusiasts in India show particularly strong loyalty to the brand, and it’s extremely popular amongst travellers in global travel retail. So, what better way to reward these fans than to offer the new range to them first?”
Teacher’s was founded in 1830 by William Teacher, with his son, Adam, building the Ardmore distillery in 1898.
In February, the brand owner outlined a proposal to trim the workforce at Bowmore and Laphroaig distilleries on the western island of Islay.
