Granddad’s legacy
A NEWLY-opened Miami distillery will lobby for a change in labelling laws that could give a huge boost to the nascent industry.
David Ridden of the Gold Coast’s first craft Gin and Whisky distillery Granddad Jacks has called for the change to labelling laws.
“In order for it to be called a whisky it needs to age in a barrel for two years,” David, who has opened the distillery with son Luke, said.
“But the industry is changing and while we don’t want to take away from those scotch distillers with longterm ageing which produces great products, smaller producers are using smaller barrels which age whisky faster.”
David said the two-year rule related to larger producers that aged their product in giant barrels.
He said the distillery was named after his grandfather. “He made his own product all his life,” he said.
The new neighbourhood distillery will be serving up tasting paddles and tasters of what’s to come with its small batch whisky.
Born in 1919, Granddad Jack grew up during the great depression. As such, the 250sq m architect-designed building on Lemana Lane, has taken inspiration from the early 1900s era, built with recycled materials, making it feel like standing in a 100-year-old building.
The exposed brick walls are decorated with black and white family photographs, with family heirlooms and sentimental knick-knacks on display.
“The brand is founded on integrity, hard work and Granddad Jack’s never-giveup attitude,” Luke said.
“We have worked with local suppliers from start to finish and the tasting room is a place for people to come together; it’s about getting back to that face-to-face connection, sharing a unique experience with friends and meeting new people from your community.”
THE BRAND IS FOUNDED ON INTEGRITY, HARD WORK AND GRANDDAD JACK’S NEVERGIVE-UP ATTITUDE, LUKE RIDDEN