When Monté and Kevin joined forces to create Blackleaf Organic Vodka, it wasn’t just about launching another spirit into the saturated market — it was about creating legacy, challenging the status quo, and offering a product rooted in excellence, intention, and culture. Interviewed by ATELIER Magazine Editor-In-Chief, Bentley Didier, this conversation was a refreshing taste around sustainability, partnership, and innovation.
From Dreamers to Disruptors
“I’m a dreamer,” Kevin shares. “I believe in the power of our dreams.” With a background in finance and no prior experience in spirits, Kevin’s leap into the industry was born from a belief in possibility. During a serendipitous vacation in Cognac, France, he met a local master craftsman who became the catalyst for what would become Blackleaf. “We wanted to leave a lasting legacy and create something that would be a fabric of society,” Kevin explains. Thus began the pursuit of “making organic sexy.”
Monté, on the other hand, brought a different edge. With an eye for branding, marketing, and engineering precision, he provided the other half of this powerhouse duo. “If a master product developer and a master marketer joined forces, what would you expect to happen?” Kevin asks. “Magic.”
The Power of Partnership
What makes this partnership exceptional is the synergy of two minds with distinct talents. Kevin, succinct and strategic. Monté, expressive and intuitive. “It’s a collaboration over competition,” Bentley noted — a message often missing in the hustle-heavy startup world.
Together, Monté and Kevin embody a rare blend of visionary thinking and grounded execution. Their partnership is built on mutual respect, aligned purpose, and an uncanny ability to complement each other’s strengths. Whether it’s Monté’s creative foresight or Kevin’s precision in scaling operations, their dynamic is the driving force behind Blackleaf’s authenticity and success. This is more than business chemistry — it’s a model of Black excellence in action, rooted in community, culture, and legacy.
Award-Winning and Intentional
In an industry where external validation matters, Blackleaf has soared. “It’s one thing for us to say it’s great,” Monté explains. “It’s another thing when stewards of the industry agree.” Their shelf already holds a dazzling lineup: Double Golds from the top Wine & Spirits Competitions in New York (“Best of Class Vodka” 2022, Double Gold 2022, 2023, 2024), San Francisco (Double Gold; 2023), and Singapore (2023, 2024). And the crown jewel — a Platinum Award from New York in 2024, reserved only for those who’ve won gold three years in a row.
“We’re not drinking our own Kool-Aid,” Monté says. “It’s really that good.”
Blackleaf Vodka prides itself on its clean and smooth finish, offering a pure drinking experience
Scaling with Strategy
“Sometimes people make things way more complicated than they need to be,” Monté reflects. “So Kevin’s based in DC, I’m based in Atlanta — light bulb moment. Let’s win and own our backyards first.”
Their go-to-market strategy focused on going deep into their home markets before expanding. With every win came insights — and those insights became scalable playbooks. “The engineer in me wanted to optimize,” Monté explains. “We started tracking data, building templates. And once we saw it worked here, we could replicate there.”
That thoughtful approach led to recent launches in Delaware and North Carolina. “Of course we want to be everywhere,” Monté says, “but we’re taking our time — looking at data, consumer behavior, markets that support Black-owned brands, and places where vodka culture thrives.”
Kevin adds, “We’ve done the hard testing — now we’re building with the mindset of becoming a global powerhouse. But it’s bigger than business. This is mission-driven. If we succeed, others can too.”
Beyond Vodka: Proof Theory
From the beginning, the vision was broader than just one great product. “We didn’t want to be a one-hit wonder,” Monté says. So the duo launched Proof Theory — a parent company and brand lab designed to incubate more culturally relevant, quality-forward products.
“It’s a double entendre,” Monté explains. “In alcohol, ‘proof’ refers to strength. But this is also about proof of concept — showing we can build standout brands.”
They’re looking at new product innovation, expanding into direct-to-consumer, and building a brand ecosystem. “Everything we do must be intentional, rooted in culture, quality, and community,” Kevin emphasizes.
A Brand That Creates Moments
At its core, Blackleaf is not just a drink — it’s an experience. “We don’t create products; we create moments,” Monté says. “We want to be part of the celebrations, the good days, the wind-downs. You deserve that quality.”
Kevin adds, “You don’t have to compromise. Not on taste, design, impact, or price. We give you luxury, sustainability, and value all in one.”
The duo so perfectly summarizes, “This feels like a product for people who have a luxury mindset for sustainability.” The dynamic between Monté and Kevin — one expressive, one refined — mirrors the balance in their brand.
Blackleaf isn’t just on shelves. It’s carving a lane, setting a tone, and elevating expectations.
And something tells us… they’re just getting started.
A Commitment to the Future
In the world of craft spirits, Blackleaf Organic Vodka is a perfect blend of innovation, quality, and sustainability. Kevin Larkai and Monté Burrow’s leadership and vision have positioned the brand as a premium choice for those seeking an exceptional vodka experience. Whether you’re a connoisseur of fine spirits or someone who simply appreciates the finer things in life, Blackleaf Organic Vodka offers a product that truly stands out. With a focus on organic production and environmental responsibility, Blackleaf is shaping the future of the vodka industry—one bottle at a time.
Looking to the future, Kevin Larkai and Monté Burrow are not just building a vodka brand—they are establishing a legacy. Their vision for Blackleaf Organic Vodka and Proof Theory continues to evolve, with plans to expand and innovate within the spirits industry. As they grow, Larkai and Burrow remain focused on maintaining the high standards that have set Blackleaf apart from its competitors, ensuring that the brand remains synonymous with luxury, sustainability, and exceptional taste.
To learn more about Blackleaf Organic Vodka and stay up-to-date with the latest developments from Kevin Larkai and Monté Burrow, you can connect with them on LinkedIn:
- Kevin Larkai: Kevin’s LinkedIn
- Monté Burrow: Monté’s LinkedIn
- Blackleaf Vodka: www.BlackleafVodka.co
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[Photo Courtesy of Trarell Torrence]