© Karl Muller
WHALE CONSERVATION: FROM THE OCEAN. FOR THE OCEAN.
Each Baleia brand has a unique whale drawn on the bottle. Inspired by the whales and dolphins that can be found in the waters around the waters of the islands that make up the Azores. Our aim is to reflect the ocean life that surrounds us and highlight the importance of protecting these amazing creatures of the ocean.
INSPIRED BY THE OCEAN
In 2006 we first visited the Azores. We met an old whaler-man, have retired from hunting whales, he would now hand carve wooden whales to sell. Special ones were created with a piece of whale bone as a reminder of the journeys he and his brothers would make as they sailed out into the waters of the Atlantic for days at a time. It was a memory of those lost to the ocean and time, children born and fed, communities built from the whaling industry. As commercial whaling was stopped, a new industry arose from the ashes and brought new life to the community. It was not hunting, but watching whales. And so this simple wooden statue left the Azores, travelling to London, then Hong Kong. In 2018 it returned to the Azores, now displayed in The Gin Library.
Created by commitment
Baleia Gin is brought to you by Ali Bullock, owner of The Solar Branco Eco Estate and patron of The Ocean Azores Foundation.
Meet the team behind Baleia
Ali Bullock – Founder & Gin Expert
São Miguel based gin expert Ali Bullock, owner of the world-renowned Gin Library.
Caroline Sprod – Owner Solar Branco Eco Estate
Co-owner of The Solar Branco Eco Estate, a leading eco hotel in the Azores
Catarina “Lemon” Limao – Artist
São Miguel born artist in residence at The Solar Branco Eco Estate.
Joao Couto – Botanical consultant
Joao helped advise on the taste of Baleia, and was key in helping us integrate seaweed.
Gin T – Distiller
The team at Gin T work on Baleia Vodka.
Lima & Quental Lda – Distiller
Distiller of Baleia Gin in the Azores and Rocha Negra Gin.