FAMU Grad's DuBlase Whiskey Launches Signature Bourbon Trio with a Mission of Purpose

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — When Darrin Eakins set out to build a premium spirits brand, he brought something to the table that most distillers do not: a construction engineering degree from an HBCU and more than a decade of experience turning big ideas into finished products. This September, that vision reaches a new milestone as DuBlasé Whiskey — the four-time award-winning brand founded and headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida — introduces its Signature Bourbon Trio Collection in celebration of National Bourbon Heritage Month.

The launch represents the next chapter for a brand that has steadily earned its place among a new generation of craft whiskey makers. The Signature Bourbon Trio features three distinct bourbon expressions, each honoring bourbon's storied American legacy while advancing a mission that sets DuBlasé apart from its peers. As Eakins describes it, this is bourbon built on both tradition and intention.

That commitment is deeply personal for the founder. A graduate of Florida A&M University (FAMU), one of the nation's premier historically Black universities, Eakins credits his engineering background with shaping how he approaches product development, innovation and brand building.

The timing of the launch is intentional. National Bourbon Heritage Month, celebrated each September, recognizes bourbon as a native product of the United States and honors the tradition and craftsmanship behind America's signature spirit. By debuting the Signature Bourbon Trio during this window, DuBlasé positions itself firmly within that heritage — while writing a new legacy defined by community investment and opportunity for the next generation.

For the HBCU Connect community, the DuBlasé story is a powerful reminder of what is possible when talent nurtured at our institutions meets entrepreneurial ambition. Eakins joins a growing wave of HBCU graduates who are founding and scaling businesses across industries once considered out of reach — and doing so in a way that reinvests in the communities that shaped them. His decision to tie the brand's success directly to STEAM education means every bottle carries a purpose beyond the pour.

The Signature Bourbon Trio Collection is scheduled to launch in September 2026. To learn more about DuBlasé Whiskey, the founder's story and the brand's philanthropic mission, visit www.DuBlase.com.

At HBCU Connect, we are proud to spotlight alumni entrepreneurs who are building distinctive brands and creating lasting impact. If you are an HBCU graduate with a business or achievement to share, we would love to hear your story.