Meet our founder

~discover the inspiration behind our female-founder-led brand~

Inspiration & Experience:

Draga Culic, founder and CEO of Blacklisted Brandy, blends her Serbian heritage with over two decades of experience in the global spirits industry. After years navigating corporate strategy, brand development, and premium beverage markets, she set out to create a Serbian Small Batch Brandy that combines artisanal craft with industry expertise. Inspired by Serbia's long tradition of rakija and European Eau de Vie, Draga envisioned a clean, additive free fruit brandy that elevates heirloom fruit flavors — a modern interpretation of centuries-old distilling techniques.

Craft, Versatility, and Cocktail Vision:

Draga saw a gap in the U.S. market: brandy, once the #1 spirit category in America before Prohibition, had fallen out of favor despite being the base in nearly one-third of classic cocktails. She envisioned Blacklisted as a premium, fruit-forward Serbian Small Batch Brandy — versatile enough to shine on its own or as a base in craft cocktails. From the Aged Heirloom Plum Old Fashioned to the Pear Martini, each bottle adds depth, dimension, and natural sweetness. Blacklisted is the cleaner way to cocktail — because when your spirit is already fruit forward, additive free, and glyphosate free, you don't need syrups, sweeteners, or shortcuts to balance your drink. The fruit already does the work. 🤍

Craft & Product Story:

Draga partnered with a master distiller in Serbia to develop the perfect formula for the U.S. market, combining traditional techniques with modern craft standards. Together, they ensure that each bottle uses 30-40 pounds of handpicked heirloom fruit, carefully fermented and copper pot-distilled. The spirits are then either aged in Serbian oak barrels (Aged Heirloom Plum) or rested in stainless steel vats (Heirloom Apricot, Pear & Quince) to highlight the purity and vibrant fruit character. Every bottle is additive free, grain free, glyphosate free, and sugar free — a clean spirit that honors both heritage and innovation.

The Vision:

As a female-founded and independently owned brand, Blacklisted embodies Draga's vision of quality, integrity, and empowerment. She aims not only to redefine Serbian Small Batch Brandy in the U.S., but also to inspire others — particularly women — to pursue bold ideas in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Through Blacklisted, Draga invites enthusiasts to experience additive free, glyphosate free spirits that elevate cocktails and honor centuries of Serbian heritage — combining craft, innovation, and exceptional taste in every sip.