La Rochelle Nights – The Road to Jerez, Part III

At the close of this summer, Hawkridge’s Phil and James embarked from Portsmouth alongside Cripps & Co’s Harry Henriques, Fred Hicks, and Alex D’Elia on a journey to discover the casks that will shape Hawkridge’s and Cripps’ future spirits—tracing each barrel back to the very place its story begins. Their travels led them through sunlit vineyards, historic cellars, and working cooperages across France and into southern Spain, where they met the craftsmen behind the craft and hand-selected the wine and sherry barrels destined to nurture their spirits in the years to come.

La Rochelle was our first real pause, a moment to take stock of the miles behind us and the purpose ahead. The drive south from Domaine Baron had been smooth and quiet, giving us time to think about the barrels we’d seen that morning and what they might bring to the character of an English whisky.

The town itself is calm and dignified, its harbour lined with old stone and the steady rhythm of life by the sea. We found a small place for supper and opened one of Monsieur Baron’s bottles. The wine was bright, thoughtful – much like the day had been.

There’s a particular pleasure in travel when business and friendship overlap. Sitting there, we talked about how each stop on this journey was shaping more than just our understanding of oak. It was also a reminder that great whisky depends on relationships – with those who grow, ferment, and craft long before we distil or blend.

By the time the harbour lights came on, plans were already turning to Bordeaux. There would be more vineyards to visit, more barrels to inspect, and more stories to gather along the way. La Rochelle had served its purpose: a short rest, a good meal, and a clear sense of the road still to come.