| V&S - Vin & Sprit AB, International Brands, Facts / English V.5 |
Absolut - An Overnight Success Since 1879
Sweden has an age-old vodka distilling tradition. Vodka was first sold legally in Sweden in 1498 by a Stockholm tavern keeper. Absolut Vodka was introduced in Sweden in 1879 as "Absolut rent branvin" - "Absolutely pure vodka". Lars Olsson Smith, famous entrepreneur and father of Absolut Vodka, applied a new method of distillation using rectification. The result was the purest vodka ever produced.
Although major technical improvements have been made since then, we still use his method today.
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International Sales Phenomenon
Absolut Vodka was first exported in 1979 and immediately caught on with consumers. In a short time, Absolut Vodka has gone from a Swedish domestic vodka to one of the world's 10 leading spirits brands.
In 1994, Vin & Spirt AB, the Swedish producer, sold over 49 million liters of Absolut Vodka. Absolut Vodka is today the number one selling imported vodka in the US, Canada, Finland and several other countries.
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Around The Globe
Absolut Vodka is now available in over 80 countries around the world. Be it in Europe, the Americas, Asia or Australia, chances are good that people are enjoying their favorite Absolut Vodka.
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The Absolut Family
In addition to the original Absolut Vodka blue label (40%) there are four other Absolut Vodkas - Absolut Vodka red label (50%), for those who prefer a higher proof, Absolut Citron, flavored with a blend of selected fresh citrus fruits, Absolut Peppar, spiced with jalapeno peppers and the new member of the family - Absolut Kurant, flavored with natural black currant berries.
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Quality Comes First
All Absolut Vodka sold in the world is produced in the same places, Ahus in southern Sweden. This is to retain complete quality control over raw materials and production and thereby maintain a consistently high quality in all aspects.
This area has an age-old tradition of vodka production thanks to perfect environmental and climatic conditions.
"Produced at the famous distilleries near Ahus" means quality from 400 years of Swedish know-how with good support from nature.
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The Production Process
Grain from the surrounding wheat fields of Ahus is delivered by the local farmers. The wheat is dried, ground and the bran removed. Water is added to remove the insoluble protein gluten and the mixture is boiled. After cooling, natural enzymes turn the starch into sugar. Then yeast is added, and in this stage the sugar is converted to alcohol. The mixture is distilled and rectified - purified of unwanted alcohol derivatives. To this pure springwater is added from our own local well.
The result is Absolut Vodka - pure, while still retaining the characteristic aroma of grain, making Absolut Vodka the supreme choice, enjoyed straight, on the rocks or as base in cocktails or drinks.
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A Media Sensation
The simple, but sophisticated Absolut ads - a picture of the bottle accompanied by a witty caption - have not only broken advertising records year after year, but have captured the imagination of the general public. Absolut Vodka is news. The latest ads often get journalistic coverage in magazines and on TV. Everybody talks about our campaigns - be it the "Absolut Manhattan" ad showing an aerial view of New York's Central Park in the shape of an Absolut Vodka bottle or 26 Russian painters making their own most personal impressions of our bottle.
Over the years Absolut has commissioned not only over 300 painters, but leading artists in all fields; sculptors, glass designers, musicians and fashion designers.
The Absolut Vodka bottle has become something of a modern icon.
Inspired by the classic Swedish medicin bottle of the 18th and 19th centuries, the bottle is a harmonius blend of traditional Swedish glass-making craft and the best of contemporary design.
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