Meet DuBlasé, The Black-Owned Whiskey With A Philanthropic Mission

Launched in the summer of 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida, DuBlasé is a premium, award-winning whiskey brand that speaks to the growing diverse spirits market, striving to expand to new markets across the United States while benefitting the African American communities.

As we celebrate Junteenth across the country, DuBlasé Whiskey founder and CEO Darrin Eakins is quickly becoming a rising star in the spirits industry, embodying entrepreneurship, leadership and philanthropy.

Throughout his career, Eakins has earned several awards, including Top 40 Under 40 by Florida A&M University (2023) and Top 20 Under 40 by the Florida Black Expo (2021). He serves as a board director in several organizations and has been recognized by the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, Hightower Emerging Leader Fellowship, and Leadership Jacksonville Inc.

Eakins was initially introduced to whiskey by an uncle at a family tasting. In developing DuBlasé, he has launched a whiskey brand that caters to fans of the growing flavored whiskey category. DuBlasé offers two signature recipes made with all natural ingredients, offering hints of vanilla and spices which fit perfectly in a variety of cocktails.

“African Americans have always been part of the spirits industry, dating back even past the era of Nathan Green, commonly known as Uncle Nearest,” says Eakins. “It’s the idea of ownership that has catapulted the conversation into the mainstream. African Americans are 12% of global consumers, 7.8% of the labor force, but only 2% are at the executive level, according to Pronghorn.co.”

Eakins suggest that the reason more African Americans are entering the spirits industry is the need for equality. “As the owner of DuBlasé Whiskey, representation matters to me. And it is a pleasure to have a seat at the table with other amazing brands out there doing great works in the industry,” he says.

“Our award-winning brand is sold in national retailers such as Total Wine, Sam’s Club, and ABC. Customers can also purchase DuBlasé online in 32 states. But that only scratches the surface of our legacy. There is much more to who we are and what we are,” says Eakins, a firm believer that the brand he created is not only a spirit that brings together loved ones in celebration over a toast, but also a product that will contribute to philanthropic causes.

A portion of annual sales of the whiskey is donated to the DuBlasé Foundation, a 501c3 foundation chaired by Eakins which focuses on empowering minority youth for a brighter future in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics by providing resources and academic enrichment to students in underserved communities.

“We are humbled by the growth and success that we have reached over the last three years. But the sky is the limit. We have already engaged in talks with potential distributors in states nationwide, looking to bring DuBlasé Whiskey into their market. We want to impact the number of executives in this socially and culturally popular industry which generates over 400 billion dollars annually. We want to focus on expansion and giving back.”

The brand has also partnered with national and local organizations such as National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida A&M University, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, Museum of Contemporary Arts, Big Brother Big Sisters, K9s for Warriors, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Jacksonville Humane Society, The Cummer Museum and the United Negro College Fund to support various initiatives.

Eakins looks to continue DuBlasé Whiskey’s efforts, leading the charge in building a stronger community with a unified vision, one toast at a time.

“It is important that DuBlasé leaves a legacy of good in the world. It’s after giving back that I find myself most fulfilled,” he says. “DuBlasé is about celebrating life’s special moments, and I am happy to celebrate all the great philanthropic initiatives in which we participate.”