Tudor: The Mixologist
After he began bartending at 25 years old, Matt Whiley soon tired of making endless vodka-and-tonics for unadventurous imbibers and began to experiment. He distilled his own spirits and embarked on a mission to challenge people’s perceptions of cocktails.
Six years and many accolades later, he’ll make you a drink out of pretty much anything: clarified tomatoes, beef dripping, even pig’s blood. ‘My signature style is creating spirits that can’t be found anywhere else,’ he says. ‘Redistilling vodka, gin, rum and adding my own twist.’ With fellow mixologists Tristan Stephenson, Thomas Aske and Bryan Pietersen, Whiley opened quirky London speakeasies Purl and the Worship Street Whistling Shop. ‘We started the trend for theatrical service. We’d go to China Town with a ten-pound note and make a drink from ingredients we came across.’
As part of his own, solo venture, Talented Mr Fox, Whiley is currently enjoying a residency at One Leicester Street. He is proudly sympathetic to the history of the cocktail, but ‘I also love to push the boundaries with modern techniques.’
Whiley’s favourite cocktail? His version of the Sazerac, a New Orleans original. ‘My variation is cognac and rye whisky stirred down with Peychaud’s bitters and sugar and served with an absinthe “air”. I call it the Green Fairy Sazerac.’
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
John Cage’s ‘now moments’ inspire Lismore Castle Arts’ group show
Lismore Castle Arts’ ‘Each now, is the time, the space’ takes its title from John Cage, and sees four artists embrace the moment through sculpture and found objects
By Amah-Rose Abrams Published
-
Architects collaborate on geometric extension to radically re-shape a London house
Mediterranean influences, earthy tones and quirky angles abound in this geometric extension and the soaring living spaces of this reconfigured Victorian townhouse
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
‘What a Fantastic Machine’: new film explores the camera, pop culture and human behaviour
Maximilien Van Aertryck and Axel Danielson’s new film, ‘And the King Said, What a Fantastic Machine’, dissects the role of the camera in popular culture
By Zoe Whitfield Published