FAMILY SPIRIT
Granddad Jack’s will add to craft culture
Raise a glass to the Coast’s first gin and whiskey distillery, which is being built in Burleigh
OLD fashioned isn’t just the way this father-son duo operate, it’s also the name of a whiskey-based cocktail they’ll soon have an infinite supply of.
Luke and David Ridden are in the middle of building their own whiskey and gin distillery in Burleigh, the first to be built on the Gold Coast.
It’s called Granddad Jack’s, and it’s based around four generations of Ridden men.
“We’ve had the brand idea for a while, it’s based around my great, great grandfather, who was born in 1919 – my dad’s grandfather,” Luke said.
“It follows his life story because he’s not famous, nobody knows him except us.
“Stories how he saved his family home from being repossessed when he was young, he worked really hard and when he couldn’t get into the army he became a barber.
“Really great stories that just show how different the world used to be.”
The next generation is where the secret family whiskey recipe comes from.
“The recipe comes from my grandfather,” Luke said.
“I never saw my grandfather brew or distil anything but he had backyard home jobs going, distilling whiskey.
“Ever since I knew him he had a whiskey every day.
“It’s great to bring the tradition into it.”
While gin is quick and easy to create, whiskey will be a little trickier.
“In Australia we can’t call it whiskey until it’s been aged in a barrel for two years,” Luke said. “So the whiskey will be a challenge but we might come out with something else to get to people’s tastebuds a little sooner.
“Gin is fast and we’ve got a head distiller coming in to play around with botanicals.
“We’re hoping it’ll be a great spot for the whole community and who knows, with Lost Palms Brewing and Black Hops Brewing we really want the area to become known for craft products.”