Absol

Absolut Vodka is a brand of vodka, produced near Åhus, Skåne, in southern Sweden. Absolut is owned by French group Pernod Ricard; they bought Absolut for 5.63 billion Euros in 2008 from the Swedish state.
Absolut is the largest brand of alcoholic spirits in the world before Bacardi and Smirnoff, and is sold in 126 countries.
Absolut Vodka was established in 1879 by Lars Olsson Smith and isproduced in Åhus, Sweden.[1] Smith introduced fractional distillation that produces liquor without fusel alcohol in Sweden in 1877, under the name "Tiodubbelt Renadt Brännvin" (Tenfold Purified Vodka). Brännvin literally means "burn-wine" and is analogous to the German "Branntwein". The term is also used in Norwegian, Danish and Icelandic. ("Vodka" was not used for Swedish liquor until 1958, with thepotato-based Explorer Vodka.) The name was changed to "Absolut Rent Brännvin" (Absolutely Pure Vodka) by Smith to market his much improved product. Smith challenged the city of Stockholm's liquor marketing monopoly with his 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 Brännvin" madeSmith 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 a euphemism for spirits in Sweden, and thename of another vodka product by Vin & Sprit.[2]
Absolut Vodka was introduced to the global market in 1979. Since its launch, Absolut has grown from 90,000 liters to 96.6 million liters in 2008. It has become the largest international spirit and is available in 126 countries. The vodka is made from winter wheat. Approximately 80,000 metric tons (2,900,000 bushels) of wheat is used annuallyto produce Absolut Vodka. Over one kilogram of grain is used in every one-liter bottle.[1]

Flavored "core" varieties, in chronological order:
* Absolut VODKA also known as BLUE (40%/80 proof alcohol, blue label, launched in 1979)
* Absolut PEPPAR (Roasted Jalapeños, Green Tomato and Dried Herbs flavor – the first flavored Absolut Vodka, launched in 1986)
* Absolut CITRON(Lemon flavor, launched in 1988)
* 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 2006)
* AbsolutPEARS (Pear flavor, launched 2007)
* Absolut MANGO (Mango flavor, launched in 2007)
* Absolut BERRI AÇAÍ (blend of açaí, blueberry and pomegranate, launched in 2010)
* Absolut WILD TEA (black tea, elderflower flavor, launched in 2010)
* Absolut ORIENT APPLE (Red apple and ginger flavor, same taste as Absolut BROOKLYN and Absolut SVEA, launched in 2011)
* Absolut GRÄPEVINE(white grape, dragon fruit and papaya flavor, launched in 2011)
* Absolut CHERRYKRAN (cherry,white cranberry and sweet plum flavor, launched in 2011)

Absolut VODKA is available in many bottle varieties and skins:

2003
* Absolut BRITTO (regular Absolut Vodka, limited edition by Romero Britto, launched in 2003)

2004
* Absolut LEVEL (a super-premium vodka, launched in 2004)

2005* Absolut BODY ART (regular Absolut vodka, limited edition by Jean-Luc Moerman, launched in 2005)
* Absolut CHROME (1 - 2 - 3 - 4) (regular Absolut vodka, limited edition bottles, launched in 2005/France and 2006/Germany)

2006
* Absolut VODKA, Red Label (50%/100 proof alcohol, launched in 2006)
* Absolut BLING-BLING (regular Absolut Vodka, limited edition cover, launched in...