Chef Derek’s got a lot of bottles.. £260k of whisky
A CHEF who has spent more than £260,000 on whisky believes he has the biggest private collection in the UK.
Derek Mathers owns more than 3500 bottles which are on display in his Artisan restaurant in Wishaw, Lanarkshire.
Among his collection is a prized one-off bottle of Bruichladdich and a limited edition bottle of Dalmore.
The 42-year-old admits he could have paid off his mortgage with the money he’s spent on rare drams.
But the collection is now becoming an attraction for connoisseurs, with three coach-loads of Swedish tourists arriving to see it.
Derek said: “I’m not really bothered about being in the Guinness Book of Records.
“My trophies are on the walls in my whisky bottles, not in a publication. I could be mortgage-free but I’d rather spend it on whisky.”
His passion began when his dad gave him a bottle of Glenlivet for his 16th birthday.
Derek’s personal tipple of choice is Bruichladdich.
He said: “A lot of people have seen my collection online but when they see it in real life, they can’t believe it. Some stand awestruck with their mouths open.”
He plans to keep buying and is having a shelf built to house 200 more.
Derek added: “When we have a bit of spare cash we’d always buy a few bottles.” We’ll keep going with it.”
Brazilian Claive Vidiz was once said to have the world’s largest private collection – 3384 bottles. It was sold to drinks giants Diageo in 2006.