Absolut Vodka

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
Absolut Vodka

Type Midshelf Vodka
Proof 80
Manufacturer V&S Group
Country of Origin Åhus, Skåne Sweden
Introduced 1879
Related products Ketel One, Level, Smirnoff Vodka, Finlandia vodka

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 USA is Absolut.

Contents

[edit] Origin of name

The name "Absolut" was introduced in 1879 by the entrepreneur Lars Olsson Smith. Smith introduced fractional distillation that produces liquor without fusel alcohol in Sweden. The name "Absolut Renat Brännvin" (Totally Distillated Vodka) was introduced 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 "Renat Brännvin" 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 Renat Brännvin". The name of the by then rather unfashionable brand was cropped to "Renat Brännvin" in the mid 1970's. In 1979 the old name Absolut was picked up when the upper-price range Absolut Vodka was introduced.

[edit] 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. Having started around 1980 with photographer Steven Bronstein, and with more than 1500 ads, the ad campaign is the longest running ever. Many of the ads are quite clever, frequently featuring an Absolut bottle-shaped object in the center and a title "ABSOLUT ____". at the bottom. ABSOLUT MANHATTAN., for example, features an aerial photo of Manhattan where Central Park is the shape of an Absolut bottle.

[edit] Gay-themed advertisements

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 the gay market for over 30 years, and the company has long sponsored major gay events, including the 2000 fall line of Tom of Finland clothing. 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. 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 [1].

[edit] Flavored vodka

All but one (Absolut Pears is missing) Absolut Vodka flavors, including the 80 proof plain and 100 proof plain Absolut Vodka.
All but one (Absolut Pears is missing) Absolut Vodka flavors, including the 80 proof plain and 100 proof plain Absolut Vodka.

Absolut Vodka is available in nine different flavors together with plain Absolut Vodka (available in 80 proof and 100 proof):

[edit] Absolut culture

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. These ads are considered to be the first digital art ads.

[edit] Absolut Statehood

In 1991 Absolut began an art commissioning program to select artists from all 50 states 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 Jon Coffelt, Burton Morris and Rev. Howard Finster. A limited edition of 300 lithographs of each work were sold to raise funds for Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS.

[edit] Absolut Tracks

Since 2005 Absolut offers at their Homepage the Absolut-Tracks. That's one base track ("Breath") by Lenny Kravitz and ten remixes by different musical artist from all over the world, like Luny Tunes, Nikko Patrelakis, Jazzanova, Ashely Beedle or Little Louie Vega. All the tracks have their own video and are free downloads on http://www.absoluttracks.com.

[edit] External links

[edit] Sources

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../a/b/s/Absolut_Vodka_4b17.html"