The Heart of Sherry: A Day at Páez Morilla – The Road to Jerez, Part VI

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.

Arriving in Jerez felt like reaching the destination we had been moving toward for weeks. The city, sun-drenched and steeped in history, welcomed us with the scent of oak and fortified wine in the air. But the true focus of the day lay a little outside the town, at the tonelería of Páez Morilla.

From the moment we stepped into the workshop, the scale of their craft was apparent. Hundreds of sherry casks lined the halls, each one a testament to the skill, patience, and precision of the coopers. Here, oak is not merely wood – it is a living partner in the creation of spirit, shaped with care, measured with experience, and destined to carry generations of flavour.

We were guided through every stage of the process, from the selection of the staves to the final inspection, learning the subtle distinctions that make one cask different from another. It was a masterclass in tradition and excellence.

By the end of the day, orders had been placed for a number of barrels destined for Hawkridge Distillers, which will be used in early 2026 to finish our whiskies. There was satisfaction in knowing that months of travel, conversation, and observation had led to this point: the perfect fusion of English spirit and Spanish oak, each cask with a story to tell.

As we left Páez Morilla, the sun setting over Jerez, it was clear that the journey had not only provided barrels but also perspective. Craft, patience, and partnership – these were the elements that would shape every drop of whisky to come.