Wizards of Whisky: Andrew and John Usher

“Andrew and John Usher were two prominent figures in the development of the Scotch whisky industry during the 19th century. Andrew Usher, born in 1826, was the founder of A. Usher & Co, a blending company that became one of the first to market blended Scotch whisky on a large scale. In 1860, he invented the process of vatting, which involved blending different malt whiskies together before ageing them in oak casks. This technique allowed for greater consistency and control over the final product, and it became the standard practice for blended Scotch whisky production.

John Usher, Andrew’s son, became a partner in A. Usher & Co in 1875 and played a key role in the expansion of the family business. He purchased several distilleries, including Glenlivet and Cardhu, and helped to establish the company as a major player in the Scotch whisky industry. The Usher family’s whiskies became popular around the world, and their brands continue to be well-respected today.

In addition to their contributions to the whisky industry, Andrew Usher was a prominent philanthropist who donated significant sums of money to support medical research, education, and other charitable causes. He was particularly interested in the study of alcohol and its effects on the human body, and he established the Andrew Usher Institute of Public Health at the University of Edinburgh. (Credits:scotchwhisky.com/whiskymag.com/wikipedia.com)”