Absolut Vodka is expanding its product line up with three new flavoured vodka releases coming out this year.  

The trio of new bottles are the Absolute Smoky Piña, Absolut Sensations, and Absolut Wild Berri, which will span across three different product ranges.

The first of the releases, Absolut Smoky Piña, is designed to be drunk neat. It is said to boast flavors of smokey pineapple with a spicy sweet chilli finish, at 35% ABV. The Smokey Piña already launched in Mexico in January. The Absolut Smoky Piña joins the Absolut Nights collection, which are a series of premium shots catered to party goers.

The second of the releases, Absolut Sensations, is a low ABV flavoured vodka said to carry the taste of tropical fruits such as mangoes and peaches with a hint of Szechuan pepper. It will first be made available via on-premise restaurants beginning in March 2023. Absolut Sensations marks the first in a collection of mid-strength vodka, coming in at a 20% ABV.

Finally, the third release is the Absolut Wild Berri, which will be debuting in 16 markets in the Spring, including the UK and USA. According to the brand, it features the natural taste of freshly picked blueberries, blackberries and wild strawberries, at 38% ABV. Wild Berri will join the Absolut Flavored range. 

According to Elin Furelid, director of product portfolio and innovation:

“The Absolut portfolio has been refreshed to deliver innovation across three different ranges, with tastes that are authentic and inspiring, offering our consumers exceptional new experiences. The launches bring with them new ways and occasions to enjoy the iconic flavour of Absolut to meet the changing tastes of consumers, whatever the occasion.”

Our take?

The expansion of the Absolut product line up to feature more low-ABV, flavoured alternatives comes as no surprise. The new Sensations is especially of note, coming in at 20% ABV while also sporting the unique addition of Sichuan peppers. 

For a while now, consumer preferences have been shifting towards less harsh spirit alternatives, at the same time as younger drinkers have been embracing bolder out-of-the-box flavours that run the gamut from savoury meats to spicy jalapeños. In fact, according to CGA, flavored vodka sales have increased 33% since 2019. The writing has been on the wall, and Absolut’s product development team is reading it. 

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team