Blackleaf Organic Vodka

Blackleaf Organic Vodka is a premium spirits brand producing USDA-certified organic vodka handcrafted in the Cognac region of France. Founded through a partnership between Washington, DC-based entrepreneur Kevin Larkai and Maison Rene Laclie — a fifth-generation Cognac house with roots dating back to 1889 — the brand was built to bridge the gap between premium quality and certified organic production. Kevin Larkai, a former finance professional, co-founded the brand alongside Monté Burrow, a former operations and marketing leader at one of the world's largest spirits companies, bringing together expertise in finance, operations, and brand building.

The vodka is produced using a five-stage copper pot artisanal distillation process, a method that distinguishes it within the premium spirits category. The base ingredient is organic winter wheat, grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers and certified under USDA National Organic Program (NOP) standards from planting through harvest. The water used in production is spring water naturally filtered through champagne limestone, a geological feature unique to the Cognac region that contributes to the vodka's bold and distinctive character. Tasting notes include hints of peppercorn, nut, and spiced pear, with a smooth and full-bodied finish.

Blackleaf positions itself as the first French organic vodka brought to the U.S. market, occupying a niche that merges sophisticated aesthetics with clean-label credentials. The brand's name intentionally fuses contrasting concepts: 'Black' representing sophistication and excellence, and 'Leaf' representing organic purity — a duality designed to challenge conventional perceptions of organic spirits as rustic or unsophisticated.

The company's environmental commitment extends beyond ingredients to packaging: bottles are printed with organic ink, and glass usage has been reduced to lower the overall environmental footprint. Despite these sustainability measures, the brand's primary identity is rooted in premiumization and artisanal craft rather than environmental messaging alone.

Blackleaf targets the premium and ultra-premium spirits segment, appealing to consumers who seek both quality and clean-label transparency. The brand's cocktail program — featuring recipes such as the Blackleaf Pineapple Mule, French 1889, and 1889 L'Expo de Paris — underscores its positioning as a versatile, mixology-forward spirit suitable for on-premise and at-home consumption. The company's production partnership with Maison Rene Laclie provides access to over 120 years of distillation heritage and expertise, lending significant credibility to its artisanal claims.