Absolut vodka was established in 1879 by Lars Olsson Smith & is produced in Ahus Sweden but owned by the Pernod-Ricard Group who bough Absolut in 2008 for 5.63billion Euros. Absolut vodka goes through a unique distillation process known as fractional distillation which produces Vodka without fusel alcohol, which can cause off flavours to vodka & is sometimes described as being 'spicy' or 'hot', not what you want from a smooth vodka. The name changed several time in the past until 1979 when they decide to launch there product as premium vodka & used the name Absolut Vodka. It was in this time that it got launched as a global product & has grown from making 90, 000litres to 96.6 million litres in a single year. It is the largest international spirit & is available in 126 countries. The vodka itself is made from winter wheat using Approx. 80, 000 metric tons of wheat annually. Absolut Vodka is made exclusively from natural ingredients, & unlike other vodkas, it doesn't contain any added sugar. In fact, Absolut is as pure as vodka can be. Still, that purity has a certain taste: Rich, full-bodied & complex, yet smooth & mellow with a distinct character of grain, followed by a hint of dried fruit. The purer the vodka, the better it blends with other aromas meaning Absolut Vodka brings out the best in other tastes too.