Absolut Vodka is a Swedish brand of vodka, owned by V&S Group, and produced at their facilities near Åhus, Scania, in southern Sweden.
Building on a four century tradition of producing vodka at Åhus, Absolut was introduced in 1879 by the entrepreneur Lars Olsson Smith. Absolut is the third largest brand of alcoholic spirits in the world after Bacardi and Smirnoff, marketed in 126 countries. The largest export market is the United States where close to 73 million litres were sold in 2003. More than 40% of the imported vodka in the United States is Absolut.
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).
Absolut PEARS (Pear flavor launched in January 2007).
Absolut NEW ORLEANS (Mango and Black Pepper flavor launched in August 2007). This is a Special Edition in an annual city themed series. 100% of the profits go toward various Gulf Coast charities.
Absolut 100 (100 proof, black bottle, flavor launched in 2007))
Absolut MANGO (Mango flavor is to be launched in February 2008))
Absolut LEVEL, launched in 2004, is a super-premium vodka created and sold by but marketed separately from Absolut
