Phoenix spirits lovers, it’s time to raise your glass—Dominican style. David “Big Papi” Ortiz, baseball legend and cultural icon, just launched Ozama Rum, a premium, 100% Dominican spirit that’s already making waves from Boston to Santo Domingo. Now, this ultra-authentic Caribbean rum is shipping nationwide—including Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, and Glendale—and it’s poised to challenge your go-to summer bourbon or tequila.
But Ozama isn’t just another celebrity bottle—it’s a story of identity, pride, and progress in liquid form. If you’re looking for bold flavor with real heart, Big Papi just changed the game.
From Santo Domingo to the Sonoran Desert: Ozama Rum Lands in Phoenix
Named after the Ozama River in Ortiz’s hometown of Santo Domingo, this new rum isn’t about hype—it’s about heritage. From the sugarcane to the bottling process, Ozama is 100% Dominican, certified Ron Dominicano, and crafted to spotlight the island’s vibrancy and soul.
“TO ME, OZAMA ISN’T JUST ABOUT RUM, IT’S ABOUT IDENTITY, PRIDE, AND PROGRESS,”
David “Big Papi” Ortiz
With Phoenix’s growing Latino community, a flourishing premium spirits scene, and an audience hungry for authenticity, Ozama couldn’t have arrived at a better time.
Three Expressions, One Legacy
Ozama Rum launches with three expressions, each tailored for a different kind of drinker—from casual cocktail lovers to refined rum aficionados.
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Ozama Blanco: A crisp, platinum rum bursting with citrus—perfect for a Mojito by the pool or a Daiquiri at a backyard party in Gilbert.
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Ozama Añejo: Layered with vanilla, warm spice, and toffee, ideal for sipping neat or adding depth to a Phoenix-style Old Fashioned.
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Ozama Gran Añejo: A luxurious, slow-sipping rum with honeyed wood and candied fruit, made for quiet nights and meaningful toasts.
In a market saturated with overly sweet, synthetic rums, Ozama offers genuine depth and balance—and that’s what makes it standout-ready for Arizona’s craft spirits culture.
Big Papi Built This—Literally
While many celebrity spirits are just licensing deals in disguise, Ortiz is the real deal. He was involved in every step of the process—from flavor profile to packaging.
“I WANTED TO BUILD SOMETHING THAT CELEBRATES THE ENERGY AND SOUL OF MY PEOPLE AND SHOWS THE WORLD WHAT WE’RE MADE OF.”
Working with Abbott Wolfe of Drink2Success, Ortiz created a brand that not only tastes like the Dominican Republic—it gives back to it.
“FROM DAY ONE, DAVID HAD A CLEAR VISION TO CREATE AN ULTRA-PREMIUM RUM THAT FEELS AUTHENTIC, VIBRANT, AND UNDENIABLY DOMINICAN.”
Sip With Purpose: 2% for the Ozama River
What makes this rum even more special? 2% of all profits go to environmental and community efforts along the Ozama River. That means every bottle you pour in your Scottsdale speakeasy or Chandler tasting room contributes to real cleanup projects and infrastructure development back home in the D.R.
In eco-conscious markets like Phoenix, where sustainability and storytelling matter, Ozama hits the sweet spot between premium product and powerful mission.
Why Arizona Should Be Watching the Rum Boom
Globally, the rum market is on fire—valued at $11.77 billion in 2022 and growing. In the Southwest, where drinkers are seeking alternatives to whiskey and tequila, premium rums like Ozama are stepping into the spotlight.
Expect to see it popping up in:
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High-end bottle shops in Arcadia
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Craft cocktail bars in Downtown Phoenix
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Father’s Day gifting guides across the Valley
Whether you’re hosting a rooftop tasting in Tempe or need a showstopper bottle for your home bar, Ozama delivers on both flavor and narrative.
How to Get Your Hands on Ozama Rum
Ozama Rum is available now online at drinkozama.com, with nationwide shipping, including to Arizona. While it hasn’t hit brick-and-mortar shelves in Phoenix yet, expect that to change soon as local distributors respond to demand.
Pro tip: Join the early buyer list, and you might be one of the first in the state to stock Big Papi’s latest legacy move.
Final Toast: The Spirit of a Legend, In Every Pour
“THEY SAY THAT PERFECTION DOESN’T EXIST, BUT YOU CAN GET CLOSE TO IT.”
That’s David Ortiz talking about Ozama, but it could just as easily describe the experience of sipping it. Bold, rooted, and unforgettable, this isn’t your typical celebrity rum—it’s a full-bodied tribute to a people, a place, and a purpose.
This summer in Phoenix, skip the ordinary. Sip like a legend.
