The French spirit and the American atmosphere of DC

In the world of premium spirits, Blackleaf Vodka stands out as a distinctive brand, embodying the values ​​of craftsmanship, sustainability and cultural significance. Co-founded by Monté Burrow and Kevin Larkai, Blackleaf Vodka seamlessly blends French artisanal quality with American entrepreneurial vigor.

Monté Burrow, drawing on his engineering expertise and long experience at Diageo, and Kevin Larkai, whose finance background guides his innovative brand strategies, have developed a vodka that not only delights the palate but also upholds ethical standards and community engagement.

Their remarkable journey began with a chance meeting in Cognac, France, and ended with the creation of the first Black-owned French premium organic vodka brand in the United States. This inspiring story highlights their commitment to excellence and social responsibility, which sets Blackleaf Vodka apart in the competitive luxury spirits landscape.

What inspired you to launch your spirits brand and what sets it apart from others on the market?

Larkai: I have always been passionate about creating memorable consumer products and building the brands of tomorrow. Blackleaf was born from a chance encounter in France while my partner and I were on holiday. We were exploring the town of Cognac when we stumbled upon what seemed to be the only other black person in the entire region. We immediately hit it off and later discovered that he was a professional footballer in England and married to a woman from Cognac. The whole town followed his career and he was somewhat of a local celebrity. He seemed to know everyone and introduced us to Bertrand Laclie, the owner of Maison René Laclie, a fifth-generation Cognac house. We were immediately intrigued by Bertrand’s passion for his craft, which matched our enthusiasm for building the leading consumer brands of tomorrow. We connected and decided to create a vodka unlike any other on the market. Our internal culture motto is “French craft, American hustle”.

Can you share a memorable success story or milestone you achieved in building your brand?

Both: We are the first Black-owned premium organic vodka brand in the United States and are a USDA Certified Organic Vodka. Blackleaf Organic Vodka has won several prestigious beverage awards including Best in Class Vodka at the Tasting Alliance 2022 New York World Spirits Competition, the Triple Still Award, 3 Double Gold Awards at the San Francisco, Singapore, and New York competitions, and a perfect score at the Unmasked Proof Awards.

How do you ensure sustainable and ethical practices in sourcing ingredients and manufacturing your products?

Terrier: Carefully handcrafted in the heart of France’s famous Cognac region, Blackleaf is the product of a five-stage artisanal distillation in a copper cauldron, resulting in a vodka that is not only smooth but full of character. Most importantly, it’s the ingredients we use; our winter wheat is grown entirely without pesticides or fertilizers.

Second, our process is sustainable and environmentally friendly because we reduce waste by using the mash as animal feed. The combination of ingredients and process allows us to achieve the demanding USDA-NOP organic certification.

Finally, we continue our environmental approach through to our labels printed with organic inks and our bottles, which use less glass to reduce our impact on the environment.

How do you give back to the community or contribute to social causes through your brand?

Both: Innovation and quality thrive in diverse hands. At Blackleaf Organic Vodka, we believe in the power of community and mentorship to drive success. Blackleaf is excited to continue pushing boundaries and setting new standards in the spirits industry. Throughout the year, we support a number of sponsorship requests that align with our community advancement goals. We also actively participate in global impact awareness campaigns including Black History Month, Global Recycling Day, Earth Day, Pride and others.

What goals do you have for the future of your brand and how do you plan to grow and evolve in the years to come?

Both: Blackleaf Organic is a company dedicated to sustainability, style and celebrating the human spirit, with a vision to become a global brand in the spirits and beverage industries. As a product development and management company, we produce environmentally responsible products that challenge the status quo. Our commitment to organic ingredients and quality has made Blackleaf Organic Vodka a symbol of excellence. Our vodka’s accolades, including double gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Singapore World Spirits Competition, and Best in Class at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, showcase our exceptional craftsmanship and passion for perfection.

As Blackleaf Vodka continues to make waves in the spirits industry, our vision remains steadfast: to produce a world-class, sustainable product that embodies excellence and celebrates the human spirit. Our dedication to quality, sustainability, and community engagement sets us apart in a crowded marketplace, making Blackleaf Vodka a brand to watch for years to come. With numerous accolades under our belt and a commitment to innovation and social impact, we’re not just building a brand, we’re setting new standards for what a premium vodka can be.

Blackleaf Vodka is also making a significant impact beyond the bottle, as they are proud to be the exclusive spirits sponsor of Sisters With Superpowers DC. For more information on our journey and offerings, visit our website and follow us on Instagram.

The future looks bright for Blackleaf Vodka as we continue to push the boundaries and inspire others in the industry.