Absolut Vodka

Absolut Vodka is owned by V&S Group as a Swedish brand of vodka. The brand is produced at the V&S Group facility in Southern Sweden near Ahus, Scania.

Ahus has utilized a four year tradition in creating Absolut which was introduced in 1879 by Lars Olsson Smith, a prominent entrepreneur. After Bacardi and Smirnoff, Absolut is the overall third largest brand of alcoholic beverage in the world. The brand is currently marketed in 126 countries. The United States is the largest export country where nearly 73 million litres were sold in 2003. Absolut Vodka represents more than 40% of the United States market vodka importation.

Origin of Name

The brand name Absolut was first introduced by Lars Olsson Smith in 1879. Smith introduced the fractional distillation process which produces lquor without the need for fusel alcohol. this process was produced in Sweden in 1877 and had the name Tiodubbelt Renadt Branvin or Tenfold Purified Vodka in English. Brannvin's literal English translation is burnt wine and the word is similar to the German word Brandtwein. The term of the name also was utilized in Norwegian, Icelandic and Danish. Swedish liquor did not use the name Fodka until 1958. The name of the liquor was then changed to Absolut Rent Branvin. The direct English translation of this name is Absolutely Pure Vodka. This name change was instituted by Smith to market his improved product. Smith purposefully attacked Stockholm Sweden's liquor monopoly with his superior brand of Vodka. The Absolut brand was first sold at a significantly lower price, outside the city border. The vodka made Smith a fortune. In 1917, the Swedish government monopolized the alcohol industry. When this occurred, the vodka was sold throughout the nation under the name "Absolut Rent Brannvin". The name of the brand was changed several times however in 1979 the official Absolut name was adopted when the higher price range pure Absout Vodka was produced.

Marketing

Absolut Vodka has enjoyed an enormous amount of success because of its long running popular advertising campaign. This campaign was created by the TBWA advertising agency. The advertising campaign is based on the unique bottle shape. The first ads began at or around 1980 when Steven Bronstein, a prominent photographer shot the first campaign. Now more than 1500 ads have been shot for the campaign make this the longest running campaign ever. The Absolut Vodka ads generally feature an Absolut bottle shaped object int he center and the same title "ABSOLUT _____", at the bottom.

Varieties of Absolut Vodka

Absolut Vodka is available in many varieties.

* Absolut Vodka - Specs: (80 proof, blue label)
* Absolut Vodka - Specs: (100 proof, red label)
* Absolut PEPPAR - Specs: (Roasted Jalapenos, Green Tomato and Dried Herbs flavor - The first flavored Absolut Vodka, launched in 1986)
* Absolut CITRON - Specs: (Lemon flavor launched in 1988)
* Absolut KURANT - Specs: (Blackcurrant flavor launched in 1992)
* Absolut MANDRIN - Specs: (Orange and mandarin flavor mix launched in 1999)
* Absolut VANILIA - Specs: (Vanilla flavor launched in 2003)
* Absolut RASPBERRI - Specs: (Raspberry flavor launched in 2004)
* Absolut APEACH - Specs: (Peach flavor launched in 2005)
* Absolut RUBY RED - Specs: (Grapefruit flavor launched in June 2006).
* Absolut PEARS - Specs: (Pear flavor launched in January 2007).
* Absolut NEW ORLEANS ( - Specs: Mango and Black Pepper flavor launched in August 2007). This flavor is a Special Edition in an annual city themed series. 100% of the profits go toward various Gulf Coast charities.

Introduced 1879

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