Absolut Vodka
Type	Vodka
Proof	80
Manufacturer	V&S Group
Country of origin	Åhus, Skåne Sweden
Introduced	1879
Related products	List of vodkas

Absolut Vodka is a Swedish brand of vodka, produced near Åhus, Scania, in southern Sweden. Vodka is one of the world's most popular Distilled beverages It is a clear liquid which consists of mostly Water and Ethanol purified by Distillation V&S Group ( V&S Vin & Sprit AB) founded in 1917 is an international producer and distributor of Alcoholic beverages The group is currently owned by the government Åhus is the second largest town of Kristianstad Municipality, Skåne County in southernmost Sweden. Scania ( in Swedish and Danish) is a geographical region on the southernmost tip of the Scandinavian peninsula, a traditional province ( "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Year 1879 ( MDCCCLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common This is a list of brands of Vodka. Gallery "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Vodka is one of the world's most popular Distilled beverages It is a clear liquid which consists of mostly Water and Ethanol purified by Distillation Åhus is the second largest town of Kristianstad Municipality, Skåne County in southernmost Sweden. Scania ( in Swedish and Danish) is a geographical region on the southernmost tip of the Scandinavian peninsula, a traditional province ( In March 2008, the Swedish government, owner of Absolut through its V&S Group, sold Absolut to the French firm Pernod Ricard. V&S Group ( V&S Vin & Sprit AB) founded in 1917 is an international producer and distributor of Alcoholic beverages The group is currently owned by the government This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Pernod Ricard ( is a French company that produces Alcoholic beverages The company's most famous products Pernod Anise and Ricard Pastis, are

Building on a four century tradition of producing vodka at Åhus, Absolut was introduced in 1879 by the entrepreneur Lars Olsson Smith. Year 1879 ( MDCCCLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Lars Olsson Smith ( October 12, 1836 – December 9, 1913) also L Absolut is the third largest brand of alcoholic spirits in the world after Bacardi and Smirnoff, marketed in 126 countries. Bacardi is the world's largest family-owned spirits company best known as a producer of Rums including Bacardi Superior and Bacardi 151. Smirnoff is a brand of vodka now owned and produced by British drinks company Diageo. The largest export market is the United States where close to 73 million litres were sold in 2003. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The litre or liter (see spelling differences) is a unit of Volume. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. More than 40% of the imported vodka in the United States is Absolut. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the

Origin of name

The name "Absolut" was introduced in 1879 by the entrepreneur Lars Olsson Smith. Year 1879 ( MDCCCLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Lars Olsson Smith ( October 12, 1836 – December 9, 1913) also L Smith introduced fractional distillation that produces liquor without fusel alcohol in Sweden in 1877, under the name "Tiodubbelt Renadt Bränvin" (Tenfold Purified Vodka). Fractional distillation is the separation of a mixture into its component parts or fractions such as in separating Chemical compounds by their Boiling point by heating Fusel alcohols, also sometimes called fusel oils, or potato oil in Europe are higher order (more than two carbons Alcohols formed by fermentation Year 1877 ( MDCCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Brännvin literally means "burnt wine" and is analogous to the German "Branntwein". Brännvin, a Swedish word the Norwegian word brennevin and the Finnish word (paloviina, are general terms for Distilled The term is also used in Norwegian, Danish and Icelandic. ("Vodka" was not used for Swedish liquor until 1958, with the potato-based Explorer Vodka. ) The name was changed to "Absolut Rent Bränvin" (Absolutely Pure Vodka) by Smith to market his much improved product. Smith challenged the city of Stockholm's liquor marketing monopoly with his superior 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 Bränvin" made Smith a fortune. 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 an euphemism for spirits in Sweden.

Varieties

Every Absolut flavor minus Absolut New Orleans, including the 80 proof plain and (old) 100 proof plain Absolut Vodka.

Absolut Vodka is available in many varieties.

• Absolut VODKA (80 proof, blue label)
• Absolut VODKA (100 proof, red label)
• Absolut PEPPAR (Roasted Jalapenos, Green Tomato and Dried Herbs flavor – the first flavored Absolut Vodka, launched in 1986)
• Absolut CITRON (Lemon flavor launched in 1988)
• Absolut DISCO (normal absolut vodka, blue label, in a special edition disco cover)
• Absolut KURANT (Blackcurrant flavor launched in 1992)
• Absolut MANDRIN (Orange and mandarin flavor mix launched in 1999)
• Absolut VANILIA (Vanilla flavor launched in 2003)
• Absolut RASPBERRI (Raspberry flavor launched in 2004)
• Absolut APEACH (Peach flavor launched in 2005)
• Absolut RUBY RED (Grapefruit flavor launched in June 2006). The jalapeño ( Nahuatl: xalapeño ( or /ˌhæləˈpeɪnjoʊ/ Castilian, Mexican) is a medium to large size Chili pepper The tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum, syn Lycopersicon lycopersicum) is a herbaceous usually sprawling plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family A(n herb (ˈhɝb or /ˈɝb/ see pronunciation differences) is a plant that is valued for qualities such as medicinal properties flavor scent or the like Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) The lemon ( Citrus × limon) is a hybrid in cultivated wild plants Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) The Blackcurrant ( Ribes nigrum) is a species of Ribes Berry native to central and northern Europe and northern Asia. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) An orange —specifically the sweet orange —is the Citrus fruit Citrus sinensis ( syn The Mandarin orange or mandarin (or mandarine) is a small Citrus tree ( Citrus reticulata) with fruit resembling the orange. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Vanilla is a Flavoring derived from Orchids of the genus Vanilla native to Mexico. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The raspberry (plural raspberries) is the edible Fruit of a multitude of plant species in the subgenus Idaeobatus of the genus Rubus "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The peach ( Prunus persica) is a species of Prunus native to China that bears an edible juicy fruit also called a peach Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The grapefruit is a subtropical Citrus Tree grown for its Fruit which was originally named the "forbidden fruit " of Barbados June 2006 was a month with thirty days The following events also occurred during the month
• Absolut PEARS (Pear flavor launched in January 2007). A pear is a pomaceous Fruit produced by a tree of Genus Pyrus. January 2007 is the first month of that year It began on a Monday and 31 days later ended on a Wednesday.
• Absolut NEW ORLEANS (Mango and Black Pepper flavor launched in August 2007). Mangoes belong to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous species of tropical fruiting Trees in the Flowering plant family Anacardiaceae Black pepper ( Piper nigrum) is a flowering Vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its Fruit, which is usually dried August 2007 is the eighth month of that year It began on a Wednesday and 31 days later ended on a Friday. This is a special edition in an annual city themed series. 100% of the profits go toward various Gulf Coast charities. The Gulf Coast region of the United States comprises the coasts of states which border the Gulf of Mexico.
• Absolut C'N'C Fashion Animal (limited edition by Ennio Capasa] launched in 2007)
• Absolut 100 (100 proof, black bottle, flavor launched in 2007)
• Absolut MANGO (Mango flavor, launched in February 2008)

• Absolut LEVEL, launched in 2004, is a super-premium vodka created and sold by but marketed separately from Absolut. Ennio Capasa is an Italian Fashion designer, he was born in Lecce in 1960 He is the creator of CoSTUME NATIONAL, the Italian fashion Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Mangoes belong to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous species of tropical fruiting Trees in the Flowering plant family Anacardiaceae PortalCurrent events International holidays February 2 - Candlemas February 5 - Shrove Level Vodka, a brand of vodka from the makers of Absolut was launched in 2004 "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again "

Marketing

Much of Absolut's fame is due to its long-running advertising campaign, created by advertising agency TBWA, based on the distinctive bottle shape. Advertising is a form of Communication that typically attempts to persuade potential Customers to Purchase or to consume more of a particular Brand TBWA Worldwide is an international advertising agency headquartered in New York City. Having started around 1980 with photographer Steven Bronstein, and with more than 1500 ads, the ad campaign is the longest running ever. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) 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, Dave Warren, Tom McManus, Everet Cilliars, Steve Feldman, Harry Woods, Arnie Arlow, and Peter Lubalin.

Gay-themed advertising

Absolut was one of the first consumer brands to openly embrace the gay community and view its members as important and desirable consumers of its product. Its ads have appeared in gay media since 1981, and the company has long sponsored major gay events, including the 2000 fall line of Tom of Finland clothing. In the English language, gay is an Adjective that in modern usage refers to Homosexuality. Tom of Finland ( May 8, 1920 &ndash November 7, 1991) (born Touko Laaksonen in Kaarina, Finland) was a In one such ad, a film lupe and film canisters are stacked to form the distinctive shape of the Absolut bottle. The canisters are labeled with the titles of gay films, including "Stonewall," "Boys Life," "Nitrate Kisses," "Show Me Love," and others. Stonewall is a 1995 historical Comedy - Drama Film. Inspired by the Memoir of the same title by openly Gay Boys Life is a compilation of three 30-minute Short subject films about being Gay in America Nitrate Kisses is a 1992 experimental Documentary film directed by Barbara Hammer. Show Me Love, originally titled Fucking Åmål, is a 1998 Swedish Film directed by Lukas Moodysson. The caption reads “Absolut Achievement. ” The ad appeared in gay film festivals sponsored by the brand. Absolut Vodka has also been the official corporate sponsor of the GLAAD Media Awards for many years. The GLAAD Media Awards were created in 1990 by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to recognize and honor the mainstream media for their fair accurate and ^[1]

A Vodka Movie

Zach Galifianakis, Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim were commissioned by Absolut Vodka to make a film for their website. Zacharius Knight Galifianakis (pronounced ˌgælɨfəˈnækɨs}} born October 1, 1969) is an American Comedian, Actor, and Tim Heidecker (born February 3, 1976) is an American Actor, Comedian, and one half of the duo of "Tim & Eric" the other Eric Wareheim (born April 7 1976) is an American Comedian and Actor. ^[2]

Special editions

Absolut Vodka created a special edition bottle of 40% vodka in 2003 designed by Romero Britto, it was named absolut magon and contained a miniature tongue motif. Romero Britto is a Brazilian neo-pop artist, painter, serigrapher, and Sculptor. It sold at a rate of 10 bottles a second and is Absolut's best selling vodka by far.

Advertising campaigns

Absolut Statehood

An Absolut Statehood ad associating New Jersey with vintage diners. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. A diner is a prefabricated Restaurant building characteristic of North America, especially on Long Island; in New York City; in

In 1991 Absolut began an art commissioning program to select artists from all 50 states in the U. S. and the District of Columbia. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Absolut Vodka arranged to run full-page ads in USA Today with images of the commissioned works every two weeks. USA TODAY is a national American daily Newspaper published by the Gannett Company. Artists selected included Romero Britto, Jon Coffelt, Burton Morris and Rev. Howard Finster. Romero Britto is a Brazilian neo-pop artist, painter, serigrapher, and Sculptor. Johnny Lee Coffelt born ( May 16, 1963) is an American Artist who lives and works in Manhattan in the Financial District Burton Morris (born 1964 is an American Pop artist in the tradition of Andy Warhol. The Reverend Howard Finster ( December 2, 1916 - October 22, 2001) was a Folk artist from Summerville Georgia who claimed A limited edition of 300 lithographs of each work were 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.

Absolut Tracks

Since 2005, Absolut has offered Absolut-Tracks: one base song ("Breath") by Lenny Kravitz and ten remixes by different musical artist from all over the world, including Luny Tunes, Nikko Patrelakis, Jazzanova, Ashley Beedle and Little Louie Vega. A song is a Musical composition. Songs contain vocal parts that are performed 'sung' and generally feature Words ( Lyrics) commonly followed Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz (born May 26, 1964) is an American Singer-songwriter, Multi-instrumentalist, Record A remix is an alternative version of a song different from the original version Luny Tunes is a production duo composed of Francisco Saldaña (Luny (born June 23, 1979) and Víctor Cabrera (Tunes (born April 12 Nikko Patrelakis was born in Athens, Greece. He studied music in the National Conservatory and mathematics in the University of Athens Jazzanova is a German Berlin -based DJ/producer collective consisting of Alexander Barck Claas Brieler Jürgen von Knoblauch Roskow Kretschmann Stefan Leisering Ashley Beedle (born Nov 25 1962 Hemel Hempstead, England) is a British House music DJ and producer Luis Fernando Vager (1965-) better known as "Little" Louie Vega, is one half of the Masters At Work musical production team Each track have its own video, and all are available as free downloads.

In An Absolut World

In 2007, Absolut began its "In An Absolut World" campaign in which the company posited 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. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was fought from October 2 1835 to April 21 1836 between Mexico and the Texas (Tejas portion of the Mexican Media outlets reported on the reaction amongst some American consumers who claimed offense at what they saw as an ad insensitive to immigration issues. ^[3]

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. "^[4]

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. SKYY vodka is produced by SKYY Spirits LLC in San Francisco, California. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ( Tratado de Guadalupe Hidalgo in Spanish) is the Peace treaty, largely dictated by the United States to ^[5]

Absolut culture

The Absolut Vodka Bottle created by Romero Britto. Romero Britto is a Brazilian neo-pop artist, painter, serigrapher, and Sculptor.

The Absolut Vodka bottle has become something of a modern icon. Inspired by the classic Swedish medicine bottle of the 18th and 19th centuries, the bottle is a blend of traditional Swedish glass-making craft and contemporary design.

Over the years Absolut has commissioned not only over 300 painters, but leading artists in all fields; sculptors, glass designers, musicians and fashion designers, e. g. Digital Art pioneer Laurence Gartel designed a campaign for Absolut Vodka in 1990, joining world famous artists such as painter Andy Warhol and glass artist Hans Godo Frabel. Digital art most commonly refers to Art created on a Computer in Digital form Laurence Gartel (born June 5 1956) is considered a pioneer of Digital Art. For the song by David Bowie, see Andy Warhol (song. Andrew Warhola (August 6 1928 &ndash February 22 1987 known as Andy Warhol Hans Godo Frabel (born 1941 in Jena East Germany) is an East German-born lampwork glass blower, now living and working in the USA These ads are considered to be the first digital art ads.

In 1998, Absolut commissioned famed digital artist and painter, Bill Barminski, to create one of the largest and most expensive bilboards located on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, where it remained for over two years. Bill Barminski (born 26 November 1962) is an American Artist and Filmmaker born in Chicago, Illinois. ^[6]

See also

• Alcohol in Sweden

References

Sources

• reimersholms.com About L. O. Smith (V&S Group marketing site) (in Swedish)
• On the history of names (in Swedish). /avgoranden2003/Dom03. 16. pdf. Swedish Market Court (2005). Retrieved on 2005-10-17. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 539 BC - King Cyrus The Great of Persia marches into the city of Babylon, releasing the Jews from almost

External links

• Absolut Vodka — The official site for Absolut Vodka
• AbsolutAds.com — Latest news about Absolut Vodka including gallery.
• Absolut Ads A comprehensive visual index of past Absolut advertisements.
• "Absolut Statehood," by Glenn O'Brien, Carillon Importers Ltd. , 1993, 51 Painters Visions of Their Home States, Photos and illustration By Antonio Alia Guccione. Oversize 11"x13"; 114 pages First Edition ISBN 0-893-81563-2