Le Lay Family

The history of the Distillerie des Menhirs began in 1921 with Francès Le Lay. But it was in 1986 that Guy Le Lay, a former mathematics teacher, established the distillery as it stands today to bring out the best in the fruit from his orchards. Today, the fifth generation has taken up the torch: his three sons, Erwan, Kevin and Loïg Le Lay, run the distillery with the same creative flair.

The distillery made its mark on the history of spirits by launching Eddu (‘buckwheat’ in Breton), the only whisky in the world made exclusively from buckwheat. This grain, emblematic of Brittany, gives their whiskies floral and woody notes and an incomparable smoothness. Each cuvée, such as the iconic Eddu Silver or the prestigious Eddu Brocéliande, is the result of a unique expertise that has won over international experts.

While whisky has brought it worldwide fame, the Distillerie des Menhirs remains a leading name for apple-based products. Their Pommeaux de Bretagne AOC and their Lambigs (cider brandies) regularly win medals at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris, testifying to consistent quality and a deep love for the Cornouaille region.

The heart and soul of Plomelin, situated near the ancient menhirs that gave it its name, the distillery stands as a symbol of Breton independence and identity. By overseeing every stage of the process, from cultivating the orchards to distilling in pot stills, the Le Lay family continues to write a family saga where tradition meets the future.