A bold new premium spirit brand rooted in Dominican culture and local flavors, I LOVE DR, has marked its official entry into the travel retail sector with a launch event at Las Américas International Airport (AILA) in Santo Domingo. The collection is now available across the travel retail network operated by global travel retail leaders Avolta and its local subsidiary Dufry Dominicana.
Developed and manufactured entirely in the Dominican Republic by homegrown firm Ziantix Group, the I LOVE DR line features four distinct spirit varieties, each crafted to highlight iconic local ingredients: Peanut, Coconut, Cherry, and Mango. Most notably, the brand’s Peanut expression claims the title of the world’s first blue peanut liqueur, a one-of-a-kind innovation that sets the collection apart from other artisanal spirits on the global market.
The public launch was timed to coincide with celebrations of Dominican Restoration Day, held under the overarching theme “I LOVE DR celebrates Dominican identity with you.” The launch event showcased Dominican cultural heritage, featuring live performances of traditional folk music, cultural displays, and complimentary tasting sessions that let attendees sample all four varieties of the new spirit collection.
Under the partnership between the two companies, Ziantix Group owns full development and production responsibilities for the spirit line, while Avolta and Dufry Dominicana hold exclusive rights to distribute and market I LOVE DR across all Dominican travel retail channels. That means travelers can find the collection at Avolta and Dufry locations at all major airports and seaports across the Dominican Republic, giving international and domestic visitors easy access to a premium, locally made product that encapsulates Dominican national identity.
Julio Astacio, chief executive officer of Ziantix Group, emphasized that the core mission of the brand extends far beyond selling spirits. The collection was intentionally created to serve as a cultural ambassador, carrying Dominican identity to consumers across borders. “I LOVE DR was born so that Dominican culture can travel,” Astacio explained, adding that the entire collection acts as a tangible, flavorful representation of the country’s rich culinary traditions, cultural heritage, and national pride.