Type | Vodka |
---|---|
Manufacturer | V&S Group (Pernod Ricard) |
Country of origin | Åhus, Skåne, Sweden |
Introduced | 1879 |
Proof (US) | 80 - 100 |
Related products | List of vodkas |
Website | absolut.com |
Absolut Vodka is a brand of vodka, produced near Åhus, Skåne, in southern Sweden. Absolut is owned by French group Pernod Ricard; they bought Absolut for 5.63 billion Euros in 2008 from the Swedish state.
Absolut is the third largest brand of alcoholic spirits in the world after Bacardi and Smirnoff, and is sold in 126 countries.
Absolut was established in 1879 by Lars Olsson Smith and is produced in Åhus, Sweden. Smith introduced fractional distillation that produces liquor without fusel alcohol in Sweden in 1877, under the name "Tiodubbelt Renadt Brännvin" (Tenfold Purified Vodka). Brännvin literally means "burn-wine" and is analogous to the German "Branntwein". The term is also used in Norwegian, Danish and Icelandic.[citation needed] ("Vodka" was not used for Swedish liquor until 1958, with the potato-based Explorer Vodka.) The name was changed to "Absolut Rent Brännvin" (Absolutely Pure Vodka) by Smith to market his much improved product. [1]
Smith challenged the city of Stockholm's liquor marketing monopoly with his vodka. It was sold at a lower price than the monopoly's product, just outside the city border. Smith even offered free boat rides to the distillery and "Rent Brännvin" made Smith a fortune.[1]
In 1917, the alcohol industry in Sweden was monopolized by the Swedish government. Vodka was then sold nationwide under the name "Absolut Rent Brännvin". The name changed with intervals, Renat Brännvin or Absolut Rent Brännvin. In 1979, the old name Absolut was picked up when the upper-price range ABSOLUT VODKA was introduced. Renat is still a euphemism for spirits in Sweden, and the name of another vodka product by Vin & Sprit.[1]
Absolut Vodka was introduced to the global market in 1979. Since its launch, Absolut has grown from 90,000 liters to 96.6 million liters in 2008. It has become the largest international spirit and is available in 126 countries.[citation needed] The vodka is made from winter wheat. Approximately 80,000 metric tons (2,900,000 bushels) of wheat are used annually to produce Absolut Vodka. Over one kilogram of grain is used in every one-liter bottle.[1]
"Core" flavors, in chronological order:
name | launched in | description |
---|---|---|
Absolut VODKA, blue label | 1979 | 40%/80 proof alcohol |
Absolut VODKA, red label | 1979 | 50%/100 proof alcohol - ceased production in 2006 |
Absolut PEPPAR | 1986 | roasted jalapeños, green tomato and dried herbs flavored vodka – the first flavored Absolut Vodka |
Absolut CITRON | 1988 | lemon flavored vodka |
Absolut KURANT | 1992 | blackcurrant flavored vodka |
Absolut MANDRIN | 1999 | orange and mandarin flavored vodka |
Absolut VANILIA | 2003 | vanilla flavored vodka |
Absolut LEVEL | 2004 | a super-premium vodka |
Absolut RASPBERRI | 2004 | raspberry flavored vodka |
Absolut APEACH | 2005 | peach flavored vodka |
Absolut RUBY RED | 2006 | grapefruit flavored vodka |
Absolut 100 | 2007 | 50%/100 proof alcohol - replacement of red label |
Absolut PEARS | 2007 | pear flavored vodka |
Absolut MANGO | 2010 | mango flavored vodka |
Absolut BERRI AÇAÍ | 2010 | açaí, blueberry and pomegranate flavored vodka |
Absolut ELYX | 2010 | a super-premium edition - replacement of Absolut LEVEL |
Absolut WILD TEA | 2010 | black tea and elderflower flavored vodka - same taste as Absolut BOSTON |
Absolut ORIENT APPLE | 2011 | red apple and ginger flavored vodka - same taste as Absolut BROOKLYN and Absolut SVEA |
Absolut GRÄPEVINE | 2011 | white grape, dragon fruit and papaya flavored vodka - same taste as Absolut SF |
Absolut CHERRYKRAN | 2012 | cherry, white cranberry and sweet plum flavored vodka |
Absolut HIBISKUS | 2012 | hibiscus and pomegranate flavored vodka |
Absolut CILANTRO | 2013 | cilantro and lime flavored vodka |
Absolut Vodka is available in many bottle varieties and skins:
name | launched in | description | size |
---|---|---|---|
Absolut BRITTO | 2003 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition by Romero Britto | 700ml / 750ml |
Absolut FREESTYLE | 2004 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition with fragmented label (France) | 700ml |
Absolut SNOWFLAKE | 2005 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition. First skin by ABSOLUT VODKA. | 700ml |
Absolut BODY ART | 2005 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition by Jean-Luc Moerman | 700ml |
Absolut CHROME | 2005, 2006 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition bottles (two sets of three designs), launched in 2005/France and 2006/Germany | 700ml |
Absolut BLING-BLING | 2006 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition gold cover | 700ml / 750ml / 1000ml |
Absolut DISCO | 2007 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition disco ball cover | 700ml / 750ml / 1000ml |
Absolut C'N'C FASHION ANIMAL | 2007 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition by Ennio Capasa | 700ml |
Absolut BRASIL | 2007 | regular Absolut VODKA, designed by Brazilian artists Nelson Leirner (Butterfly, re-released in France, 2009) and Daniel Senise (Monkey) (Brazil) | 1000ml |
Absolut GREENSAVER | 2008 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition bottle by Greek artist Konstantinos Vita (Greece) | 700ml |
Absolut COLORS | 2008 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition cover celebrating 30th anniversary of the Rainbow flag | 700ml / 750ml / 1000ml |
Absolut MASQUERADE | 2008 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition sequined sleeve cover | 700ml / 750ml / 1000ml |
Absolut SUMMER | 2008 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition white cover (UK) | 700ml |
Absolut NO LABEL | 2009 | regular Absolut VODKA, blank bottle emphasizing the company’s slogan: "In An ABSOLUT World, There Are No Labels" | 700ml / 750ml / 1000ml |
Absolut SELFRIDGES 100 | 2009 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition yellow cover (UK) | 700ml |
Absolut ROCK | 2009 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition leather studded cover | 700ml / 750ml / 1000ml |
Absolut WALLPAPER #1 | 2010 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition bottle by Alessandro Guerriero (Italy) | 700ml |
Absolut WALLPAPER #2 | 2010 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition bottle by Gio Pagani (Italy) | 700ml |
Absolut FLAVOR OF THE TROPICS | 2010 | orange, mango, lychee, pineapple and melon flavored vodka | 1000ml |
Absolut SUMMER | 2010 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition clear cover (Germany) | 700ml |
Absolut GLIMMER | 2010 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition bottle that mimics a crystal decanter | 700ml / 750ml / 1000ml |
Absolut ZENG FANZHI for Joyce | 2010 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition bottle by Chinese artist Zeng Fanzhi (Hong Kong) | 700ml |
Absolut 72 BIAN Transform | 2010 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition bottle by Chinese artist Gao Yu (China) | 700ml |
Absolut WATKINS | 2011 | coffee, almond, caramel and chili flavored vodka. Limited edition bottle by Liselotte Watkins | 1000ml |
Absolut WALLPAPER #3 | 2011 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition bottle by Ron English (Italy) | 700ml |
Absolut ILLUSION | 2011 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition bottle with inverted label on backside | 700ml / 750ml / 1000ml |
Absolut SVEA | 2011 | apple and ginger flavored vodka, same taste as Absolut BROOKLYN and Absolut SVEA, limited edition bottle (Sweden) | 700ml |
Absolut NZ | 2011 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition cover (New Zealand) | 1000ml |
Absolut MODE | 2011 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition bottle with twelve facets, wrapped with a band in midnight blue silk cloth | 700ml / 750ml / 1000ml |
Absolut WHITE | 2011 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition white cover (UK) | 700ml |
Absolut CITRON GLIMMER | 2011 | Absolut Citron, limited edition bottle that mimics a crystal decanter | 750ml, 1000ml |
Absolut GUSTAFSON | 2012 | cherry, strawberry, cardamon and chai flavored vodka. Limited edition bottle by Swedish artist Mats Gustafson (product was recalled shortly after launch) | 1000ml |
Absolut BLANK #1 | 2012 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition bottle by German artist Mario Wagner | 700ml |
Absolut TUNE | 2012 | white wine and vodka, limited trial run in 2011 (Australia) and launched in 2012 (USA) | 750ml |
Absolut UNIQUE | 2012 | regular Absolut VODKA, unique bottles are painted and individually numbered | 700ml / 750ml / 1000ml |
Absolut EXPOSURE | 2013 | honey melon and lemon grass flavored vodka. Limited edition bottles (3 designs) by Swedish artist Johan Renck, featuring supermodel Lydia Hearst | 1000ml |
Absolut SEA CRUISE EDITION | 2013 | regular Absolut VODKA, released on select cruises in the Caribbean | 1000ml |
Absolut CARNAVAL/CARNIVAL | 2013 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition neoprene sleeve cover (Brazil) | 1000ml |
Absolut BLANK #2 | 2013 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition bottle by Dave Kinsey | 700ml |
Absolut DENIM | 2013 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition denim cover by Loren Cronk | 1000ml |
Absolut BLANK #3 | 2013 | regular Absolut VODKA, limited edition bottle by Israeli artist Pilpeled (Israel) | 750ml |
Absolut CRAFT | 2013 | Three variations: Herbaceous Lemon, Smokey Tea, and Bitter Cherry (USA), (UK), (Sweden) | 700ml / 750ml |
name | launched in | description | size |
---|---|---|---|
Absolut NEW ORLEANS | 2007 | mango and black pepper flavored vodka | 750ml |
Absolut LOS ANGELES | 2008 | acai, acerola, pomegranate, and blueberry flavored vodka, launched in 2008 and rebranded as Absolut BERRI AÇAÍ in 2010 | 750ml |
Absolut BOSTON | 2009 | black tea and elderflower flavored vodka, launched in 2009 and rebranded as Absolut WILD TEA in 2010 | 1000ml |
Absolut BROOKLYN | 2010 | red apple and ginger flavored vodka, launched in 2010 and rebranded as Absolut ORIENT APPLE in 2011 | 1000ml |
Absolut SAN FRANCISCO | 2011 | grape, dragon fruit, and papaya flavored vodka, launched in 2011, rebranded as Absolut GRÄPEVINE in same year of creation | 750ml |
Absolut MIAMI | 2012 | passion fruit and orange blossom flavored vodka | 750ml, 1000ml |
Absolut CHICAGO | 2013 | currently under a design competition by Threadless |
name | launched in | description | size |
---|---|---|---|
Absolut VANCOUVER | 2010 | regular Absolut VODKA, designed by Canadian artist Douglas Fraser (Canada) | 750ml |
Absolut RIO | 2011 | orange, mango and passion fruit flavored vodka, designed by Brazilian artist Oskar Metsavaht (Brazil) | 1000ml |
Absolut LONDON | 2012 | regular Absolut VODKA, designed by Jamie Hewlett, co-creator of the virtual band Gorillaz (England) | 700ml |
Absolut ISTANBUL | 2012 | regular Absolut VODKA, designed by Turkish artist Yigit Yazici (Turkey) | 700ml |
Absolut MEXICO | 2012 | regular Absolut VODKA, designed by Mexican artist Dr. Lakra (Mexico) | 750ml |
Absolut POLAKOM | 2012 | regular Absolut VODKA, designed by Polish artist Swanski (Poland) | 700ml |
Absolut MOSCOW | 2013 | regular Absolut VODKA, designed by Russian artist Alena Akhmadullina (Russia) | 700ml |
Absolut TEL AVIV | 2013 | regular Absolut VODKA, designed by Israeli artist Nir Peled, who uses the professional name Pilpeled[2] | 700ml |
name | launched in | description | size |
---|---|---|---|
Absolut Vodka Crystal Bottle | 2010 | creative collaboration between Absolut Vodka, Skogsberg&Smart and Reijmyre Glassworks. Limited to 800 bottles. | 1000ml |
Absolut Crystal Pinstripe Bottle | 2011 | creative collaboration between Absolut Vodka, Skogsberg&Smart and Reijmyre Glassworks. Limited to 800 bottles. | 1000ml |
Absolut Crystal Pinstripe Black Bottle | 2011 | creative collaboration between Absolut Vodka, Skogsberg&Smart and Reijmyre Glassworks. Limited to 10 bottles. | 1000ml |
Much of Absolut's fame is due to its long-running advertising campaign, created by advertising agency TBWA, also from David Jones's status in the business world and in Africa alone. Based on the distinctive bottle shape having started around 1980 with photographer Steven Bronstein, and with more than 1500 ads, the ad campaign is the longest running ever. The ads frequently feature an Absolut bottle-shaped object in the center and a title "ABSOLUT ____." at the bottom. The original idea for the campaign came from South African art director Geoff Hayes who reported that the idea for the first Absolut ad, Absolut Perfection, came to him in the bathtub. A number of art directors and copywriters added to the campaign in the early years including: Graham Turner, Denise Dell Harbin, Dave Warren, Tom McManus, Everet Cilliars, Steve Feldman, Harry Woods, Arnie Arlow, and Peter Lubalin.[3]
Zach Galifianakis, Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim were commissioned by Absolut Vodka to make a film for their website.[4] Tim and Eric made three comedic infomercials for Absolut Vodka. The first part takes place in a living room as the three characters enjoy absolut cocktails. The first section gives the viewer a fairly clear view of the standard, surreal, Tim and Eric comedy style as the positive attitude is dragged downward by Zach's character. The second part takes place on a beach and progresses similarly to the first as Zach fails to connect with his friends for a majority of the bit. The third part is fairly different. Taking place in Zach's characters kitchen, the bit completely derails, forcing the actors to break the Fourth Wall multiple times and as Zach's characters takes the shoot less and less seriously. A food fight ensues and Zach's character ends up defeated. The series ends with Tim and Eric pouring flour on a sobbing Zach Galiafinakis. The tagline "In an Absolut world, friends would get together more often" displays over his face as he is coated in flour and continues crying.
Some Absolut offerings have performed well at international spirit ratings competitions. For example, the kurant and pear offerings were awarded scores of 96-100 by the raters at Wine Enthusiast.[5] According to Proof66, Absolut Citron is among the Top 10th percentile of rated vodkas worldwide.[6]
In 1991 Absolut began an art commissioning program to select artists from all 50 states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia. Absolut Vodka arranged to run full-page ads in USA Today with images of the commissioned works every two weeks. Artists selected included Romero Britto, Jon Coffelt, Burton Morris and Rev. Howard Finster. A limited edition of 300 lithographs of each work was sold to raise funds for Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. As a commemoration to this campaign, "Absolut Statehood: 51 Painters, Visions of Their Home States" a book by Glenn O'Brien, was published with a foreword by Michel Roux of Carillon Importers with photography by Antonio Alia Guccione. 51 Absolut Statehood artists were interviewed by Peter Tunney and made into a film about the campaign. "Absolut To The People," a Peter Tunney Film, was simulcast in New York and Hong Kong in March 1993.
Since 2005, Absolut has offered Absolut-Tracks: one base song ("Breathe") by Lenny Kravitz and ten remixes by different musical artist from all over the world, including Wisin & Yandel, Nikko Patrelakis, Jazzanova, Ashley Beedle and Little Louie Vega. Each track has its own video, and all are available as free downloads. Some of the poster ads (mostly at bus stops and train stations) featured a headphone jack into which standard headphones could be plugged in so that anyone could listen to the song.
In 2007, Absolut began its "In An Absolut World" campaign in which the company posted various, often fanciful scenarios of what the target audience might think would constitute a perfect, or "Absolut", reality.
In 2008, an Absolut Vodka ad, placed in Mexican publications and on Mexican billboards, featured a map of the U.S. and Mexico with the boundaries between the two as they were prior to the 1836 Texas Revolution and the Mexican-American War. Media outlets reported on the reaction amongst some American consumers who claimed offense at what they saw as an ad insensitive to immigration issues.
Absolut initially tried to mollify critics, claiming that the ads were purely whimsical in intent, having no political or nationalist agenda, but its critics were adamant. Absolut later released a public statement and withdrew the ad:
"In no way was this meant to offend or disparage, nor does it advocate an altering of borders, nor does it lend support to any anti-American sentiment, nor does it reflect immigration issues. Instead, it hearkens to a time which the population of Mexico may feel was more ideal."[7]
In response, the U.S.-based SKYY Vodka issued a press release criticizing its competitor's ad campaign, citing the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and other reasons.[8]
As of 2009, The Simpsons' opening sequence has featured, on the back of a magazine which Marge is reading at the supermarket checkout, a made up advertisement for Absolut which reads 'Absolut Krusty'. The ad shows a picture of an Absolut shaped bottle with the hair of Krusty the Clown, a well-known character in the show.
The Broadway Musical RENT mentions Absolut in the song "La Vie Boheme" stating:
To fruits- To no absolutes-
To Absolut- To choice-
To the Village Voice-
To any passing fad.