Abstract
Absolut Vodka is one of the famous brands of V&S Absolut Spirits, a branch of the Vin & Spirits group. V&S is the third most popular alcohol drinks group in the world, after Diageo and Bacardi. It is a Sweden government-owned conglomerate founded in 1917 to regulate the country's drinks industry. Vin & Sprit reported sales of SEK 9.8bn ($1.3bn) in 2005. In addition to Absolut and other vodkas, it is responsible for international brands like Plymouth Gin and Cruzan Rum, the latter acquired in 2005. Vin & Sprit is also Scandinavia's biggest marketer of spirits and wine with a substantial portfolio of brands including Aalborg, Gammel Dansk and Poland's Luksusowa vodka. It distributes Penfolds, Oak Village, Mouton Rothschild, Torres and other wines in the region. Absolut Vodka is still produced in Sweden, in the small town of Ahus and then exported to other countries.
