Our Story
In 2023, my father and I decided to pursue a whiskey project. However, my father is more of a French wine and brandy enthusiast than he is a whiskey enthusiast. We each had different ideas but ultimately landed on cask finishing as a means to meet in the middle. The whiskey would be American and the finishing casks French, and thus, the company Washington Lafayette was born.
We purchased our first barrels in early 2024, opting for various recipes of bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskey from Lawrenceburg, Indiana. The finishing casks proved a bit more difficult to acquire, as the casks we desired weren’t available in the United States at the time. Thanks to Speyside Cooperage we were able to obtain choice Pineau des Charentes and Armagnac casks directly from France.
Upon the arrival of the casks, the whiskey was transferred and the secondary maturation process began. Initially, the evaluation process was intensive – opting for weekly samples to gauge the finishing casks’ influence. In time, we began to understand how each fortified wine and brandy cask enhanced their relative whiskeys. Slowly, new flavors began to emerge. We stayed attentive, making certain the essence of the original spirit remained intact. After a span of months the whiskey was ready. All that was needed was the right brand – something that encompassed both American and French artistry with a family touch.
Looking to the Past
My father and I descend from Caleb Jennings (1759-1816). Based on Virginia genealogical records, the Jennings family moved from Orange County to Goochland County in 1766. After his father’s passing in 1773, Caleb became an indentured apprentice for an Orange County leatherworker and later enlisted in the Continental Army along with the sons of his master. He served in the Regiment of Guards at Charlottesville, Virginia until the end of the American Revolutionary War.
In 1783, Caleb and his brother, Joshua, sold their family’s land in Goochland, moving from Virginia to North Carolina, and in short time, Georgia. The brothers each married and established homesteads but for some reason, possibly due to the enforcement of various state taxes, Caleb eventually moved from Georgia to South Carolina. According to his will, he purchased land in the French Huguenot settlement of New Bordeaux (now modern-day McCormick, South Carolina) from the estate of a Frenchman, Jean Emery.
While there is no evidence that Caleb distilled whiskey or brandy, it was a relatively common practice for 18th- and 19th-century farmers. There is, however, evidence of wine production in New Bordeaux, with dedicated vineyards noted on maps from the era. Living in the community, it’s safe to assume that Caleb and his family were exposed to various aspects of French culture, including French cuisine, wine, and spirits.
In 1783, Caleb and his brother, Joshua, sold their family’s land in Goochland, moving from Virginia to North Carolina, and in short time, Georgia. The brothers each married and established homesteads but for some reason, possibly due to the enforcement of various state taxes, Caleb eventually moved from Georgia to South Carolina. According to his will, he purchased land in the French Huguenot settlement of New Bordeaux (now modern-day McCormick, South Carolina) from the estate of a Frenchman, Jean Emery.
While there is no evidence that Caleb distilled whiskey or brandy, it was a relatively common practice for 18th- and 19th-century farmers. There is, however, evidence of wine production in New Bordeaux, with dedicated vineyards noted on maps from the era. Living in the community, it’s safe to assume that Caleb and his family were exposed to various aspects of French culture, including French cuisine, wine, and spirits.
Caleb’s Crossing
Our whiskeys are dedicated to the perseverance and pioneering spirit of Caleb Jennings and his family. The front label depicts Caleb and his brother Joshua on the shore of the Savannah River – looking out over the rushing water in contemplation and wonder. The copper coin draped over the neck of the bottle symbolizes the fare Caleb would have paid a ferryman to cross the river. The obverse of the coin mimics 18-century coinage, with “CC” as an abbreviation for Caleb’s Crossing. The reverse of the coin, as well as the seal on the stopper, are a fife and drum representative of Caleb’s service in the American Revolution.
For more information on our expressions, please visit our products page. Caleb’s Crossing is to be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, in a cocktail, or however you appreciate your whiskey. But regardless of your preference, always enjoy it responsibly.
À votre santé!
David Jennings
Curator & Blender