Du Nord Social Spirits

What Du Nord Social Spirits does

Du Nord Social Spirits is a Black-owned craft distillery founded in 2013 in Minneapolis by Chris Montana, recognized as the first Black-owned distillery in the United States. The company produces a portfolio of six small-batch, gluten-free spirits — Foundation Vodka, Prominence Gin, Mixed Blood Whiskey, Prominence Barreled Gin, Cafe Frieda Coffee Liqueur (made with Peace Coffee cold brew), and Pronounced Apple Liqueur — plus three pre-bundled cocktail kits (Espresso Martini, Minnehaha Mule, Apple Old Fashioned) and branded merchandise. Core production is small-batch craft distilling using real, locally sourced ingredients such as Midwest corn, barley, rye, fresh apple cider, and bike-delivered Peace Coffee cold brew, with the original vodka formula requiring 87 trial runs before launch.

The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market: direct-to-consumer e-commerce through shopdunord.com with nationwide shipping, wholesale distribution to restaurants, bars, and liquor retailers across multiple U.S. states, and a channel-partner placement of Foundation Vodka on Delta Air Lines nationally. Pricing is unit-based at $29.99–$46.99 per 750ml bottle and $66.98–$83.98 per cocktail bundle, with no subscription or licensing model disclosed. The 2021 rebrand from Du Nord Craft Spirits to Du Nord Social Spirits, combined with the founding of the Du Nord Foundation (which distributed nearly $500,000 to BIPOC small businesses in Minneapolis and St. Paul via its Recovery Fund, partly funded by Foundation Vodka proceeds), repositions the company around a community-impact mission. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the company is privately held, founder-led, and shows no institutional funding or acquisition activity in the source material.

Name

Du Nord Social Spirits

Legal name

Du Nord Craft Spirits

Website

https://dunordsocialspirits.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Du Nord Social Spirits is a Black-owned craft distillery in Minneapolis producing gluten-free vodka, gin, whiskey, and liqueurs, sold via DTC e-commerce, multi-state wholesale to bars and retailers, and a Delta Air Lines placement for Foundation Vodka, with proceeds supporting the Du Nord Foundation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Spirits

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spirits Retail & Whiskey Shops (Off-Premise) (CRANAAAD), Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Craft spirits
• Gluten-free spirits
• Small-batch distilling
• Black-owned distillery
• Cocktail bundles

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Spirits direct sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of spirits through e-commerce (shopdunord.com) with 750ml bottles of vodka, gin, whiskey, and liqueurs. One-time purchase model with online checkout.
2. Wholesale/retail distribution: Wholesale distribution to restaurants, bars, and retail stores across multiple states. Products sold through store finder and in-store locations.
3. Foundation Vodka proceeds: A portion of proceeds from Foundation Vodka sales supports the Du Nord Foundation. The vodka is available on Delta Air Lines nationally.
4. Cocktail bundles and merchandise: Pre-bundled cocktail kits (Espresso Martini, Minnehaha Mule, Apple Old Fashioned) and branded merchandise (apparel, glassware, accessories).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Du Nord Social Spirits is a craft distillery producing a portfolio of premium, gluten-free spirits including Foundation Vodka, Prominence Gin, Mixed Blood Whiskey, Prominence Barreled Gin, Cafe Frieda Coffee Liqueur, and Pronounced Apple Liqueur. Products are made in small batches with real, traceable ingredients such as Peace Coffee cold brew, Midwest corn/barley/rye, Italian juniper, and fresh apple cider, and are sold both directly to consumers via shopdunord.com and through wholesale to restaurants, bars, retail stores, and Delta Air Lines.

Product overview

Du Nord Social Spirits is a Black-owned craft spirits company offering a portfolio of six distinctive spirits: Foundation Vodka (a corn-based vodka supporting the Du Nord Foundation), Prominence Gin (a juniper-forward botanical gin), Mixed Blood Whiskey (a rye-forward bourbon blend), Prominence Barreled Gin (a limited-release whiskey barrel-aged gin), Cafe Frieda Coffee Liqueur (made with Peace Coffee cold brew), and Pronounced Apple Liqueur (made from fresh apple cider). The company also offers three cocktail bundles (Apple Old Fashioned, Minnehaha Mule, and Espresso Martini) that combine multiple spirits for convenient at-home cocktail making. All products are gluten-free and the company rebranded in 2021 from Du Nord Craft Spirits to Du Nord Social Spirits to reflect its social mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Foundation Vodka A 40% ABV (80 PROOF) corn-based vodka with a hint of sweetness, crisp and clean taste. Sales support the Du Nord Foundation. Named as part of the 2021 rebrand (previously L'Etoile Vodka).
• Prominence Gin A 45% ABV (90 PROOF) gin with deep juniper character and botanical soul, using Italian juniper combined with citrus and root botanicals. Named as part of the 2021 rebrand (previously Fitzgerald Gin).
• Mixed Blood Whiskey A 40% ABV (80 PROOF) rye-forward blend of straight bourbon whiskeys with high-rye mashbill, featuring notes of honey, brown sugar, caramel, and rye spice.
• Prominence Barreled Gin A limited release gin aged in whiskey casks, featuring deep vanilla oak notes with botanical soul. ABV varies by batch.
• Cafe Frieda Coffee Liqueur A 26% ABV (52 PROOF) coffee liqueur made with small-batch roasted cold brew from Peace Coffee, featuring vanilla and chocolate notes.
• Pronounced Apple Liqueur A 30% ABV (60 PROOF) apple liqueur made from fresh apple cider each Fall with classic pie spices, featuring crisp apple, caramel, and warm spice notes.
• Apple Old Fashioned Cocktail Bundle A cocktail bundle featuring Mixed Blood Whiskey and Pronounced Apple Liqueur for making Apple Old Fashioned cocktails, making approximately 12-15 drinks. Priced at $83.98 per bundle.
• Minnehaha Mule Cocktail Bundle A cocktail bundle featuring Pronounced Apple Liqueur and Foundation Vodka for making Minnehaha Mule cocktails, making approximately 12-15 drinks.
• Espresso Martini Cocktail Bundle A cocktail bundle featuring Cafe Frieda Coffee Liqueur and Foundation Vodka for making Espresso Martinis, making approximately 16 drinks. Priced at $66.98 per bundle.

Quantifiable outcome

• Best Vodka 2021 - WSWA
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and key.

• Du Nord FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Du Nord Foundation was established in 2020 by the founders of Du Nord Social Spirits following the murder of George Floyd. The first initiative was the Recovery Fund which distributed nearly $500,000 to BIPOC small businesses in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Proceeds from Foundation Vodka sales support the Foundation's work.
• Peace CoffeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Minneapolis roaster providing fair trade, organic cold brew beans that are bike-delivered for Cafe Frieda Coffee Liqueur production.
• Delta Air LineskeyChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFoundation Vodka is served on Delta Air Lines flights nationally, providing nationwide distribution visibility and brand exposure.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hard Truth Distilling: Hard Truth is a craft distillery producing vodka, gin, whiskey, and rum in Indiana with a similar small-batch, multi-SKU model and emphasis on storytelling. It is directly comparable to Du Nord's craft spirits portfolio and Midwest operational profile.
• Tattersall Distilling: Tattersall is a Minneapolis-based craft distillery producing vodka, gin, and liqueurs with a similar multi-channel DTC and on-premise approach. Direct regional peer sharing Du Nord's home market and craft spirits business model.
• Koval Distillery: Koval is a Chicago-based craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, and liqueurs with an emphasis on organic grains and distinctive brand storytelling. Comparable to Du Nord in craft scale, Midwest origin, and certified/specialty product positioning.
• FEW Spirits: FEW is an Evanston, Illinois craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, and bourbon with a strong craft focus and on-premise presence. Comparable to Du Nord as a Midwest craft spirits brand with award-winning products and direct-to-consumer emphasis.
• Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey: Uncle Nearest is a premium Tennessee whiskey brand honoring a Black distiller, with strong social mission branding and broad national distribution. It is the most direct comparable to Du Nord as a values-driven, Black-heritage craft spirits brand expanding beyond its niche.
• New Riff Distilling: New Riff is a Kentucky craft distillery producing bourbon, rye, and gin with a strong wholesale and DTC model. Comparable to Du Nord as a craft spirits producer pursuing premium positioning through awards and quality.
• Balcones Distilling: Balcones is a Texas craft distillery producing award-winning whiskey and spirits with strong regional identity and growing national presence. Comparable to Du Nord as a craft spirits producer leveraging awards and origin storytelling.
• Corsair Distillery: Corsair is a craft distillery producing whiskey, gin, and rum with experimental small-batch releases. Comparable to Du Nord in craft distilling scale, multi-SKU portfolio, and innovation-driven product development.
• Smooth Ambler: Smooth Ambler is a West Virginia craft distillery focused on whiskey and bourbon with broad national distribution and award-winning products. Comparable to Du Nord as a craft whiskey brand with growing on-premise presence.

Broad incumbents

• St. George Spirits: St. George is a California-based craft distillery with a broad portfolio including vodka, gin, whiskey, and liqueurs. Comparable to Du Nord as a craft producer with diverse SKUs and brand-led storytelling, though at larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DuNordSpirits
• Facebookfacebook.com/DuNordSpirits
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/du-nord-social-spirits
• Instagraminstagram.com/dunordspirits

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Du Nord Social Spirits