Jason Momoa and Blaine Halvorson are the co-founders of Meili Vodka.

Well-known for his role as the DC superhero in the Aquaman films, Jason Momoa is generating buzz with his entrepreneurial ventures beyond screen acting, particularly his new, award-winning Meili Vodka company.

In a collaborative effort with his best friend, Blaine Halvorson, the duo traveled the globe, from Antarctica to the Northwest Passage, in a quest to find the purest water sources for crafting the finest vodka. Interestingly, their best discovery was quite close to home, found near Halvorson’s father’s residence in Montana.

Momoa shared, “The water source we found comes off a limestone shelf, which is like a 300 million-year-old aquifer. It looked like Avatar – such an incredible amount of life at a water source amidst snow. The lack of sodium in the water truly brings out the flavor from our grains, while the high calcium and sulfur content give it a distinctive taste.”

Co-founders of Meili Vodka, Jason Momoa and Blaine Halvorson.

Momoa narrated how he first encountered Halvorson due to a pair of shoes crafted by him. Following their introductions, Momoa recruited Halvorson’s help for his roles in Frontier and Aquaman, alongside various other endeavors. Momoa appreciated Halvorson’s creativity and assistance in bringing his visions to life. Their unique friendship, he said, flourished from this collaboration.

After numerous successful collaborations, Halvorson suggested they come up with a vodka brand of their own. Recounting the conversation, Halvorson said, “Jason questioned the need for our own vodka brand. I emphasized that’s the exact reason we should! We love the storytelling aspect of moonshine and wanted to bring something similar to vodka.” They aimed to revolutionize the perception of vodka not merely as an ingredient but as a spirit, focusing in particular on sourcing high-quality water to match with their grains.

Momoa further mentioned a unique way of enjoying Meili Vodka: warm and straight. This method emphasizes its taste, a product of pure Montana water. He takes immense pride in the sustainable and recyclable nature of their glass bottle production process, highlighting their environmental responsibility.

Momoa expressed, “I engage in a myriad of activities and I harbor intense passion for our planet. One of my top priorities is to create something that is purely crafted from post-consumer glass. Blaine identified a splendid glassmaker in Mexico. The highlight of this initiative is that we plan on executing it in Pennsylvania by Spring 2024, ensuring 100% of the production is conducted in the U.S. The prospect of fabricating the glass domestically for the first time is truly exhilarating. Paying meticulous attention to every minor detail to craft such beautiful eco-friendly bottles proved to be quite a remarkable experience. Regard it as our precious creation.”

Halvorson articulated, “Both Jason and I are incredibly interested in the journey of a product’s life – from creation to the final product, the individuals involved, and the aesthetic aspect of the process. I consider the process to be a significant and appealing part of it. To take redundant glass, place it in a furnace, and see it melt away – the end result is a unique bottle each time. It evokes a sense of artisanal craftsmanship, which is indeed enchanting. The quantity of glass that we dispose of can easily be repurposed.”

Jason Momoa and Blaine Halvorson are the founders of Meili Vodka.

Upon their entry into the thriving and competitive spirits industry in January with the introduction of Meili Vodka, it intrigued me what Halvorson and Momoa have to say about what sets their innovative brew apart in today’s marketplace.

Halvorson said, “In a liquor industry that is really heavily built today on marketing and marketing gimmicks, I think us as an open book and storytelling of how this process is done and how it can be done, I think, makes us unique – taking a very different approach to vodka and creating vodka as an actual spirit. Something you can sip and enjoy.”

Momoa added, “We’re in the footprints of like so many celebrity brands. I think if you get to know me, I’m not like that at all, and if anything, most of the companies I’ve ever started, they have all started from the ground up – with the water company [Mananalu], with the [So iLL] climbing [company] – with all the things that I love. It’s not somebody coming to me, paying me a certain fee and then I have to do these appearances and show up. This is two best friends, going on eight years of doing this, a passion that we want to keep this. It’s just a different feel than being like something celebrity, because we really did it on our own. We did it just the two of us for a very long time.”

With its retail price ranging from $19.99 and $29.99, Meili (pronounced MAY-lee) is a term that represents the adventurer’s heart, the purity of discovery and the spirit of exploration. All throughout this past October, Momoa and Halvorson decided to travel around the country to meet with fans and sign their Meili Vodka bottles, fond experiences that both gentlemen are interested in doing more of in the near future.

Meili Vodka co-founders Blaine Halvorson and Jason Momoa taking photos with fans during their U.S. tour in October 2023.

Halvorson stated, “Our major revelation from this journey was the series of extraordinary portraits we collected as we interacted with numerous supporters. The profound basis of Meili is rooted in the idea that Jason and I conceptualized. We envisioned creating a space for sharing stories over a cozy campfire or a communal dinner table. Our aspiration is for Meili to expand and encourage people to share their narratives with us, thereby promoting a sense of community. Despite the pervasive influence of social media and virtual interactions in contemporary times, we believe in revitalizing the essence of physical human interaction and communication. The participation of a remarkably diverse range of individuals was truly a sight to behold.”

In the closing of the discussion, Momoa articulated, “It was of immense importance to me that everyone felt recognized and appreciated in a way that reflects the collective heart and soul we’ve poured into this effort. Now, it belongs to everyone. This enterprise is our best offering, a token of our love. We take great pride in having a brand that truly represents us. We are in our pioneering year, and our primary objective is to spread excitement about our venture. Once you experience the taste, you’ll be hooked.”