the not serious mat pedley, alex hudson & john moughan

For this chat I pulled up a bar stool at one of the best spots in Hamilton. It’s called Neat and let me tell ya, that is accurate. Located in MADE, a precinct for the epicurean, wine, design and fashion curious folk of the mighty Waikato, Neat delivers if you’re a drinker.

For regular listeners to this channel, you’ll know the city of Hamilton features frequently in our Not Serious Chats. I’ve threatened to record a chat here for a while and the lads behind some of the best eateries in the joint generously swapped a management meeting for a sit down with me — and boy did they bring it.  

Mat Pedley, Alex Hudson and John Moughan are the three musketeers intent on delivering humble hospitality to Hamilton like no one else.

The brains behind a number of established eateries and bars in the Tron, these guys have an  incredible way of seeing what might be missing and working out how to add it to the offering, giving the locals diversity, choice and deeply connected dining and drinking experiences.

What struct me most about these guys is their relaxed, calm but seriously confident vision for the booze journey they want to share with their locals.

Neat is a great example. Dark, simple shelves laden with bottles of beverages, labelled like eye-candy greet you when you walk in and there’s no behind-the-bar fit out here. You’ll be sat around a large, minimalist table designed for instigating good bants, be it with the bar keep or the bloke sitting next to you. Lit by a simple rice paper pendant lamp and surrounded by moody tunes played from vinyl on a turntable, you know this gaff is all about what’s in the glass and the good times that come with it.

We got so not serious about wine for this chat, that we sat there trying whisky instead. And not just one but four incredible spirits that travelled across continents, incorporated history, discovery, curiosity, science, art and culture — pretty much what all good beverage does.

If truth be told, I was spoiled rotten with the selection that Alex chose – on the spot – to pour while we chatted. All were delicious. All had their own story and one in particular was probably far too precious to share with the likes of me! A Single Malt called Flowermore caught my eye for its un-whisky-like label design and then almost made me faint when Alex mentioned what a bottle will set you back…. Let’s just say, there was to be no spitting that wee sampler.

To read more on these delicious bottles of peaty, earthen, floral fabulousness, click below on the What We Were Drinking section.

Look, these guys are serious aficionados of flavour. From ridiculously tasty pizza at Reggies, where you can watch the Mighty Waikato River meander by from the deck, to a burger at the Last Place while you watch a band go ballistic on stage or a winemaker’s dinner at Mr Pickles with some of NZ’s top winemakers, these guys overdeliver hard.

So, pop your earphones in, pour yourself a tasty wee dram and settle in as we wait for the Hamilton fog to clear, this is the not serious Mat Pedley, Alex Hudson and John Moughan chat.

John, Alex and Mat make up a mighty trio of hospo. These guys are outstanding and their joints are well worth a trip to The Tron.

CHAT FACTS

• what we were drinking

  Whisky

  1. Colonel E.H. Taylor, Small batch, Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
     E.H. Taylor Small Batch honours the founding father of modern bourbon with a Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky straight whiskey crafted at Buffalo Trace. Hand-selected barrels rest in century-old warehouses, yielding a robust expression that balances heritage with polish. Presented with timeless style, it’s a distinguished pour for collectors. Opening aromas mingle warm caramel corn with vanilla bean and a wisp of butterscotch. On the palate, silky sweetness rolls into layers of orange zest, liquorice and toasted oak, building gentle pepper and tobacco warmth. The finish lingers dry and confident, oak spice ebbing into honeyed grain—refined, satisfying, and made for slow contemplation.
     750ml | 50% ABV

  2. Ardnamurchan Madeira Cask 2025 release
     These rare fortified wine casks have imparted a lush fruity character, with dense notes of toffee apple, stewed plums and red currants. The wood also brings about a fragrant spicyness, leading with sea-salted chocolate, cinnamon and sandalwood. A touch of oily rosemary and pine needles comes through in the finish, which is dusty and drying. In name and in style, this Ardnamurchan is quite a mouthfull!
     700mL | 52% ABV

  3. Springbank Palo Cortado Cask Matured, Aged 10 Years, Single Malt
     Springbank 10 Year Old is the quintessential Campbeltown single malt — lightly peated, fully handcrafted, and matured in a classic duet of bourbon and sherry casks. Bottled at 46% ABV for texture and flavour integrity, it delivers that famous Springbank maritime character with orchard fruit brightness and soft coastal smoke. A benchmark whisky revered by collectors and connoisseurs alike, it’s an elegant pour that bridges heritage and modern craft — superb for sipping.
     750ml | 46% ABV

  4. Decadent Drinks Whiskyland, Chapter Six Flowermore, 38 Years, Islay Single Malt
     This is a 1985 Bowmore in all but official name. Decadent Drinks decided on 'Flowermore' as their name for Bowmore. Don't let the fact that it's a 1985 put you off, this is a long way from perfume territory. It displays the expected notes of violets, but beautifully so, alongside layers of soft, quilty peat smoke, distinct exotic fruit aromas and a stunning, intricate freshness and purity. This is a beautiful example of older - and older style - Islay single malt.

     700mL | 44.6% ABV

  1L antipodes still water

Ok - so this is not your average recommendation. This little bottle of floral delight will set you back a month’s rent or a new tele or maybe even an entry-tier e-bike but the elixir within will last and it’s sure to lubricate the meetings of minds, or even transcend worlds into other realms or provide company to someone wanting a moment of peaceful solitude with something quite rare and exceptional. When I tasted this with these guys, I didn’t know the price — thank god. What it did was take me somewhere magical as Mat, John and I sat quietly by as Master Whisky Ninja Jedi Alex, whispered of its wonders. I’d say get amongst but honestly, the only way to do that is sat on a stool at Neat — so get on down to MADE of Hamilton, y’all.
Find Mat @mrpicklesnz Alex @neat_hamilton and John @08004Reggies and also visit MADE of Hamilton for the good news from the good folk of The Tron.