David Ridden

Background

About David Ridden

David Ridden is a hardworking, passionate businessman and family man. The hard work, long hours and the rollercoaster of business have seen him through good times and hard times. David has always challenged the status quo, learning every inch of the way. Creating eight successful companies over the last 29 years, his passion has become more about building brands and connecting authentically with the consumer. After selling his last business in late 2017, a new business idea was already being developed and by Christmas Day of the same year, a new brand was born…Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery. David had often spoken of creating something in memory of his grandfather, who had passed away in New Zealand. It was to be a craft distillery based around his Granddad’s love for whiskey and driven by the same ethos he went through life with. Together with his then 21-year-old son, Luke, they transformed an old surfboard factory into a beautiful memorial to Granddad Jack, where people gather to hear the story and enjoy a drink. In under a year, an idea had become reality, the distillery was designed and built, a brand launched, and spirits produced. Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery was founded in January 2018 and opened to the Public on the 24th of August that same year, with a range of gins, vodka and whiskey ageing in barrels. Now, Granddad Jack’s is a multiple award-winning artisan producer, with David spending 100% of his time building the brand alongside his family, taking care of business development, finances & export partnerships. David is also the President of the Australian Distillers Association (Queensland) and a Founder of the Queensland Distillers Association, playing a very active role in advocating for the craft spirits industry, supporting other Queensland distilleries & contributing to the growth of the Australian spirits industry.