Known in the spirits industry as “Dr. Vodka,” Malcolm Lloyd, the 42-year-old CEO and founder of Double Cross Vodka who also held a medical degree from Dartmouth, was an entrepreneur with a relentless attention to detail and passion for his craft. He died unexpectedly April 24 in Miami in a high-speed car crash, leaving behind a wife, two young sons and a company that was just beginning to hit its stride. Lloyd cofounded Double Cross’s parent company Old Nassau Imports with his godfather John Gellner in 2004. The two devoted four years to searching for the perfect distillery in Eastern Europe before partnering with Slovakia’s Dr. Jan Krak to create a grain-based spirit marked by its smooth flavor and distinctive engraved bottle. Double Cross Vodka hit shelves in September 2008, at the height of the global financial crisis. Lloyd stuck by his vision for a luxury brand that would elevate the vodka category, and eventually earned a 95-point designation from Wine Enthusiast. Recognizing his achievements, Lloyd was honored at the 2012 Goldman Sachs Builders and Innovators Summit as one of the 100 Most Innovative Entrepreneurs.
We sat down with him in early 2013 to get his vision for his brand and industry.
Photo Courtesy of Malcolm Lloyd
