Bleiz-Mor: Breton Gin with a Gold Medal, Distilled with Character

On the coast of Brittany, the sea is not just a landscape. It sets the rhythm, character, and the way people think about craft. In the town of Étel, in the heart of the French department of Morbihan, lies Distillerie Bleiz-Mor, a small craft distillery that builds its identity precisely on this connection between place, nature, and precise distillation.

The name Bleiz-Mor means “sea wolf” in the Breton language, and that name describes the spirit of the distillery well. Their philosophy is not to produce more, but to produce better. Every distillate is designed and produced on site, in small batches, with a clear desire for the taste to be honest, balanced, and recognizable.

A distillery rooted in Brittany
Bleiz-Mor is a distillery from the town of Étel, located at 4 rue Victor Hugo, in a region known for its strong coastal identity, local gastronomy, and respect for authentic production. On their official website, they emphasize that they work in small quantities and with great attention, from recipe development to bottling, including the distillation itself.

Their portfolio includes several different drink categories, including Pur Malt, London Dry Gin, vodka with sage and lemon, and Anis de la ria. This selection shows that Bleiz-Mor does not think only within the framework of a single product, but develops an entire small world of Breton distillates, each with its own character.

This is an important detail for understanding this story. When a distillery produces several different drinks, the equipment must provide stability, control, and the ability to adapt to different raw materials, aromas, and styles.

Gold for London Dry Gin
A special recognition for Bleiz-Mor came through their London Dry Gin, which won a gold medal. In its official Instagram post, the distillery stated that it was proud of the gold medal for its Gin London Dry, while available posts also mention that the gin was awarded at the Salon de l’Agriculture in Paris in 2026.

For a craft distillery, this kind of recognition carries special weight. London Dry Gin is a category where quality cannot hide behind sweetness or strong additions. It requires a clean aromatic structure, well-balanced botanicals, precise distillation, and a finish that remains neat, fresh, and recognizable.

Bleiz-Mor describes its London Dry Gin as elegant, accessible, and modern. On the nose, it is fresh, herbal, and aromatic; on the palate, lively and balanced, while the finish remains clean and slightly peppery.

Botanicals that build character
In gin, the choice of botanicals is not decoration. It is the foundation of the product’s identity.

In its London Dry Gin, Bleiz-Mor uses juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, lemon peel, cubeb, grains of paradise, and Jamaican pepper. This combination gives the gin a blend of classic structure and a modern, spicy-herbal character.

Juniper provides the recognizable base.

Lemon brings freshness.

Coriander and angelica build depth.

Cubeb, grains of paradise, and Jamaican pepper introduce a spicy layer and a finish that remains lively.

This is exactly where the importance of the still comes into focus. Gin requires equipment that allows aromatic components to be extracted carefully, without losing freshness and without overemphasizing individual notes.

The DES still as an ally in precise distillation
Bleiz-Mor produces its drinks in copper stills, and DES equipment holds a special place in their production story. In distillates such as London Dry Gin, the quality of the still has a direct impact on process stability, distillate purity, and preservation of the aromatic profile.

On the distillery’s website, it is emphasized that natural plants and aromatics are used in production, with no industrial elements in the recipes and no artificial colors or flavors. They also highlight the role of copper in the process, because copper reacts with sulfur compounds and contributes to better purity and quality of the final product.

This is especially important in gin. When the recipe is based on natural botanicals, the still must support the distiller in preserving delicate aromas. A good still must not suppress the character of the raw material. It must enable that character to express itself clearly, steadily, and repeatably.

Small production, great attention
Bleiz-Mor is a good example of a modern micro-distillery that does not try to imitate industrial production. Its value lies precisely in the opposite approach, in small batches, manual work, local identity, and attention to every step.

On their website, they state that every step is carried out on site, from recipe development to bottling. This approach requires more time, but it allows greater control and a clearer signature from the producer.

That is what the customer feels in the glass. Not only alcohol, not only aroma, but the decision not to simplify the product for the sake of speed, but to develop it until it reaches the right balance.

What does this story mean for future distillers?
The story of Bleiz-Mor Distillery shows that success does not have to begin with large-scale production. It can begin with a clear idea, good recipes, natural ingredients, and equipment that enables precise work.

If you are planning to produce gin, vodka, anise spirits, malt spirit, or other craft distillates, it is important to think from the very beginning about a still that can follow different processes. Each category has its own requirements, but the foundation is always the same: stable distillation, temperature control, high-quality material, and the ability to repeat the result from batch to batch.

DES stills are used around the world for the production of brandy, gin, absinthe, liqueurs, vodka, rum, whisky, and other alcoholic spirits. Our range includes more than 40 still models, different types of columns, several heating options, and the possibility of custom production according to production needs.

For small craft distilleries, the right still is not just equipment. It is a foundation for recipe development, product quality, and a recognizable style.

Breton character in a bottle
Bleiz-Mor is a distillery that does not look far from home for its identity. It finds it in Brittany, near the sea, in natural botanicals, in small batches, and in precise work with copper.

Their London Dry Gin, awarded with a gold medal, shows that this kind of approach can give rise to a product with both local character and serious confirmation of quality.

For DES, it is a special pleasure when our stills become part of stories like this. Because a good distillate does not come from one element alone. It is created when an idea, raw material, knowledge, time, and equipment capable of supporting the distiller’s ambition come together.

Bleiz-Mor is exactly that, a sea wolf from Brittany that distills with character.

Contact us and find the DES still that suits your production.