Meet Dee M. Robinson:  The passionate visionary behind Good Trouble Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey

By Mark A. Leon

If you attended the Inaugural Charleston Food + Wine Festival last month, you might have encountered Dee M. Robinson and sampled her smooth and delightful Good Trouble Kentucky Bourbon. This beautiful Kentucky bourbon boasts a deep amber color, with notes of spice, dried fruit, maple fudge, and light leather on the nose. The palate reveals flavors of dried cherry, hazelnut, and vanilla, leading to a comforting finish with hints of spiced nuts and chocolate mint5.

What sets this bourbon apart is the passionate and committed woman behind the brand, Dee M. Robinson. During a brief conversation, we gained insight into Dee’s journey in creating and bringing this exceptional product to market.

Despite her impressive academic and professional background, Dee M. Robinson exudes a humble and warm demeanor. However, beneath her approachable exterior lies a fierce determination that drives her advocacy work and pride in her heritage.

Dee M. Robinson’s creation stands as a testament to her dedication and vision, offering bourbon enthusiasts a product that is both rich in flavor and steeped in a compelling narrative.

We are so grateful to learn more about Dee and Good Trouble.

Q&A with Dee M. Robinson –  Founder and CEO, GT Spirits Company Good Trouble Bourbon

1. Given your esteemed background including an advanced education with shades of Ivy at U of Penn, Northwestern and Dartmouth, serving on numerous boards, accolades including Top 100 under 50 Executive Leaders and Black MBA Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year and now owner of a nationally recognized Bourbon, how would you define your legacy today?

Dee:   I would define my legacy as one of impact, resilience, and advocacy. Whether through Robinson Hill or Good Trouble Bourbon, I’ve always aimed to drive innovation while giving voice to underserved communities. My legacy, I hope, will be marked by a blend of entrepreneurial success and social responsibility. More than the accolades or achievements, it’s about opening doors for the next generation of leaders, creators, and disruptors.

• In the food and beverage product industry, a common rule of thumb is making a profit by year five and building toward expansion, deeper partnerships and growth.  Now embarking on year seven of Good Trouble, what is the strategy for the next five years?

Dee:  The next five years for Good Trouble are focused on strategic partnerships, scaling, and embedding even deeper into the fabric of culture. We’re looking at expanding distribution channels and building on our current momentum to take the brand to more retailers and markets. We will diversity our offering’s, launch limited edition releases and continue to drive social impact through our message. Growth will come from nurturing both the brand’s economic and social purpose, ensuring we stay true to our roots while growing.

• Over your many years in operations and management, what were some the key influences / influencers that helped shape the recipe for Good Trouble Bourbon?

Dee:  Good Trouble’s recipe is shaped by a mix of tradition and innovation. My years in operations and management taught me the importance of quality and consistency. The influences range from conversations with master distillers to studying the market’s evolving tastes. But the real heart of Good Trouble is my mother who said the only kind of trouble my twin brother and I could get in was good trouble because my sister got in all of the rest. During the late 60’s, she was teaching us how to show up when the rest of the world might not embrace us. Additionally, John Lewis’ legacy—the courage to disrupt with purpose. That inspired us to create something bold yet nuanced, just like the spirit of social justice. We wanted to craft a bourbon that stood out not just in taste, but in meaning.

• You are a strong ambassador for social justice and as outlined in your website bio, one of your goals of Good Trouble is “instigating brave conversations”.  Can you tell us a little bit more about how you are using your brand to drive deeper awareness of the importance of the social justice conversation and action.

Dee:  Good Trouble Bourbon is more than a drink; it’s a platform for instigating brave conversations. Through partnerships, events, and social campaigns, we’re creating spaces where people can discuss equity, justice, and systemic change over a glass of bourbon. We engage in causes and movements that push for real progress—whether supporting minority- and women-owned businesses, opening doors in nontraditional spaces, or partnering with organizations driving policy change. It’s about encouraging people to take that first sip and then lean into the difficult but necessary conversations that move the needle toward positive social change.

• You are a self-proclaimed “troublemaker” and in today’s narrative, some would call a disrupter.  What are some of the key moments in your life that helped shape your personality today?

Dee:  There have been many moments that shaped me, but a few stand out. First, my decision to found Robinson Hill was a leap of faith, but it taught me resilience. Then, entering the boardrooms of major corporations—where being a woman of color was still rare—pushed me to become an advocate for diversity. And of course, launching Good Trouble was another defining moment; it was about turning my passion for entrepreneurship into a vehicle for social change. Each of these experiences taught me to be fearless in my pursuits, unapologetic in my beliefs, and always willing to make good trouble.

• Let’s talk about the tasting notes and the experience for a moment.  Inviting spirited conversations sparked by aromas of spice, dried fruit, maple fudge and light leather and tastes of vibrant and complex notes of dried cherry, hazelnut and vanilla sound enchanting.  Tell us about one of your most spirited conversations over a glass of Good Trouble and great company?

Dee:  One of the most memorable conversations happened in the hotel the day after bottling our first Good Trouble run. I was with a team member, and we noticed two men at the hotel bar drinking bourbon, we struck up a conversation and during that conversation there was interesting conversation; it was clear that one man was closed minded and asked me about my reference to call myself African American and he said I don’t call myself European American, so why. But I didn’t get angry, but saw it as an opportunity to teach, it was a magical moment because he actually softened and understood my explanation and we moved on and continued to have a good conversation over bourbon. The conversation took on the same complex notes as the bourbon—layered with history, spice, and a little sweetness as we explored what it means to challenge societal norms. The bourbon helped break down barriers, allowing everyone to express their ideas freely and authentically. That’s the magic of Good Trouble—it opens up the space for the boldest of dialogues.

• Aside from straight and on the rocks, what are some of your most recommended cocktail recipes where Good Trouble would be the perfect base?

Dee:  While Good Trouble is beautiful on its own, it also shines in cocktails. One of my favorites is the Good Trouble’s Disagree to Agree, a twist on the classic mint julep, adding mint and a touch of cognac to complement the bourbon’s vanilla and cherry notes. 

• Finally, what are some of the little and big things we can do, other than drinking this fine Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey to make the world a better place?

Dee:  Let’s all be ‘troublemakers’ and create spaces where diverse voices thrive and instigate conversations that challenge the status quo.

Good Trouble Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is crafted using high-quality, locally grown Kentucky corn, winter rye, and malted barley. Distilled, aged, and bottled in the heart of Kentucky, this small-batch bourbon is produced at DSP-KY-10, a historic distillery dating back to 1885.

The inaugural limited edition, bottled at 92 proof, has already garnered several accolades, including a Silver Medal at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Double Gold at the SIP Awards International Spirits Competition 2023.

We strongly encourage you to try Good Trouble Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.