Absolut Vanilia Premium Swedish Vodka 70 cl 38%

Vanilla is the kind of aroma people react to before they have thought about it. It sits in childhood baking, in the cream on a cake, in anything warm. Absolut put it into a clear bottle and left the rest as vodka.

Expert description

Absolut Vanilia is a Swedish Vodka carrying natural vanilla flavour, bottled at 38%.

The expression arrived in 2003 and rests on the same base as the rest of the house: winter wheat grown around Åhus in southern Sweden and water from a deep, protected well. Natural vanilla sits on top of that base. No sugar is added, which separates it from a number of other flavoured vodkas where the sweetness comes from syrup rather than from aroma.

The result is more robust than the name suggests. The vanilla is of the warm, creamy sort, and beneath it lie butterscotch and a stroke of dark chocolate. Because there is no sugar in the bottle it dries out towards the end instead of turning sticky — which is exactly why it works in drinks that already carry sweetness from liqueur or coffee.

Tasting notes

Nose

Warm bourbon vanilla with a breath of butterscotch. The aroma is clear without being perfumed.

Palate

Creamy vanilla fills the middle, followed by caramel and a suggestion of dark chocolate. There is enough body that it does not vanish in a mixed drink.

Finish

Drier than the opening promises. The chocolate hangs on while the sweetness pulls back.

Specifications

Name: Absolut Vanilia
Distillery: Absolut
Region/Country: Åhus, Sweden
Type: Swedish Vodka
ABV: 38%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 7312040350100
Serving suggestion: In a Vanilla Espresso Martini, or over ice with a strip of orange peel.

Flavour profile

Vanilla · Butterscotch · Dark chocolate · Creamy

Did you know?

There is not a gram of added sugar in the bottle. The sweetness you experience is pure aroma — the brain reads the vanilla scent as sweetness even though there is nothing sweet to measure. It is also why the finish dries out instead of clinging.

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Frequently asked questions about Absolut Vanilia

Is sugar added?

No. Absolut Vanilia is made exclusively from natural ingredients and contains no added sugar. The sweetness comes from the vanilla aroma alone, which is why it reads sweet on the nose but dry on the finish.

Why is it 38% rather than 40%?

Because the flavoured expressions from Absolut are bottled slightly lower than the clear one. That small difference makes the vanilla more approachable and softens the alcohol heat, giving the aroma room instead of pushing it aside.

Which drink shows it best?

An Espresso Martini. The vanilla meets the coffee and rounds the drink out without making it sweeter. It also works in a White Russian, in hot chocolate with a measure stirred in, and anywhere caramel and coffee are already present.

Can it be drunk neat?

Yes, though preferably well chilled and in a small glass. At around 6 degrees the chocolate note steps forward and the vanilla becomes less dominant. If you are used to dry vodka it may feel rich, so try it over a single ice cube.

Does it suit baking and desserts?

Yes, and that is an overlooked use. A splash in whipped cream, over fresh strawberries or in pancake batter delivers vanilla character without adding sugar. See more bottles in our range of Vodka.

What is the vodka base made from?

Winter wheat grown around Åhus in southern Sweden, combined with water from a deep well in the same place. The wheat is sown in autumn and harvested the following year, and it is the same base that sits beneath the entire Absolut range.

How long does an opened bottle keep?

A long time, but not forever. The alcohol itself does not change, while the vanilla aroma slowly fades once the bottle is half empty and air gets in. Use it within a year or so and it will taste as intended.