In memoriam: Derek Mather
“Chef”
4/11/1975 – 27/04/2026
It is with immense sadness that Dramface remembers Derek Mather, best known as the Chef at the Artisan restaurant in Wishaw.
Derek’s charisma, charm and exuberance for all things whisky made the Artisan a rite of passage for so many whisky-lovers visiting Scotland. It is no coincidence that his restaurant quickly became known for possessing the world's largest selection of open whisky bottles – and bottlers wanted to get their stock into the Artisan.
Derek was a universal champion of all whisky, no matter who was making it or where it was made. He had a simple, pleasing method of conveying his approval for any whisky brought to him: ‘Yum!’
I first met “Chef” after it became apparent that just about a bottle of every cask I released was heading to this odd restaurant in Wishaw.
‘Wishaw?’ I remarked, ‘Why Wishaw?’ Derek just laughed when I asked about his choice of location. His response was simple economics: 'Why would I want to work like a slave just to pay rent in Glasgow for the rest of my life?’
Many others also wondered why, but the thing is, if you do something well, people will go. If you build it, they will come. And Derek, slowly, through his infectious passion and generous nature (and great food), built a loyal following. Word got out: “If you love whisky, you simply must visit the Artisan in Wishaw.” Quizzical looks soon turned to bewilderment and wonder – and that was even before entering ‘The Snug’.
Derek loved watching visitors' responses. But there was nothing show-offy or arrogant about the whisky collection. This wasn’t a ‘look but don’t touch’ display of bottles gathering dust whilst passing their time as ornaments. Each bottle was either open or waiting for the first customer to take the neck pour. Each was priced (incredibly reasonably), and many Derek knew and could recommend.
I remember one visit: Not knowing where to begin with ordering a whisky from the 3,000+ bottles, I asked for the Chef’s recommendation. ‘Peated or unpeated?’ he asked. “Surprise me,” I responded. Derek grinned and disappeared, reappearing a few moments later from the snug.
“Ooh, now this is nice, creamy, rich, fruity and very more-ish.” I cooed over the dram.
“It’s a Linkwood,” Derek stated.
“Who bottled this?” I asked.
“You did,” Derek said, laughing.
Naturally, I grinned ear to ear. Derek was such a champion of independent bottling, bottlers, and whisky folk in general. On a personal note, Derek believed in what I bottled. He believed in Creative Whisky Co., during those early years when sales were tough; when folk simply hadn’t quite woken up to what independent bottlers were about. Derek knew, though, and his walls, groaning with considerable weight and array, were (and are) a testament to the side of the industry he loved the most.
But there was no Artisan without the team: Chef and Mrs Chef, Fiona. All at Dramface, and the wider whisky world, have you in our hearts and minds.
An institution, a rite of passage, and a cheerful, positive, and shining light has left us. Tragically early, tragically sudden, and so difficult to fathom and comprehend. I once asked him when he was going to either slow down or retire so that he could actually enjoy both the friendships and the whisky collection he had amassed. He laughed, “I’ll probably die with a frying pan in my hand.”
Chef never wanted to slow down; his love was for serving others, and his pleasure was in their pleasure at either his food, whisky or company.
For the first time, you’ve left us with an appetite for more.
Rest in peace, you loveable, cheeky, dedicated artisan.
David Stirk
I first met Derek and Fiona sometime between 2012 and 2014. We organised our first Society trip to the Artisan in 2014. There were 7 members of the Society. I have 12 years of messages from Derek that I have been reading over the last few days, sometimes with a chuckle, sometimes with a tear. We shared a passion for whisky and seafood. Derek bought my Bruichladdich collection off me, and I bought my Ardbeg picture off Derek. Every year since 2014, we travel in November to the Artisan. Every year, Derek and Fiona send us our Haggis order for Burns Night (Derek's recipe). So helpful, so accommodating. I will cherish the memories of my 60th Birthday on Islay and at Ardbeg Distillery, when Derek and Fiona made a surprise appearance. That's the measure of the man. I am heartbroken he has gone, but I feel he will be with us for years to come. Every time we have a dram, every time the name Bruichladdich is mentioned, think of Derek, Chef, Friend. Rest in Peace. For everything Derek did for whisky, personally I think the industry should recognise him. He was a great ambassador for the independents as well as Bruichladdich.
Andrew Purslow
The whisky world has lost someone very dear to them today. A passionate ambassador who championed all the good things about a spirit that we love. A man who helped bring so many independent bottlers into the spotlight, who also bottled many fantastic casks himself and with Ian and the Friends of Bruichladdich.
I was at Artisan on the Wednesday before his passing to host a tasting. I just wish I'd lingered a little longer on that handshake, squeezed a little tighter on the hug, sat for an extra five minutes with you before heading up the road.
Rest in peace, Derek. You will be remembered so fondly by so many.
Andrew Smith, Little Brown Dog
Derek Mather, you've no idea how much I'm going to miss you, big fella. You were such a great friend, confidant, potty-mouthed inspiration, talented chef, tattooed whisky nerd, and incredibly generous and charitable. You've made my life richer in so many ways over the years I've known you, and I'm so grateful for the experiences we've shared, especially at Artisan Wishaw and on Islay.
You've touched so many other people's lives in the same way.
It's hard to think you're not there to make me a gigantic burger with Octomore BBQ Sauce when I stop in on the way home from a mountain trip in the Highlands.
I'd been saving a very special Caol Ila from 15 years ago, which we both loved, to share at Bruichladdich next month. It will be put to good use in the coming weeks, I suspect.
Just totally devastated, love you to bits, mate
Simon Barnard
It’s impossible to imagine the whisky industry without Derek in it. He was the oracle on Bruichladdich and banter.
The only thing I know that dwarfed his magnificent whisky collection was his love for family and friends.
An avid collector of Star Wars, Lego and every single North Star bottle - I hope he knew the collection of people that loved him was the biggest I’ve seen.
Iain Croucher, North Star Spirits
