The Treat
Vodka
The Luxury Expression of Absolut Vodka
Absolut Elyx was conceived in 2008, almost 30 years after Absolut launched in New York.
Born out of a desire to create a truly luxurious expression of this global icon, Absolut Elyx is forged from the same DNA as Absolut Vodka. Culture, tradition, location and even production techniques are shared, but then elevated to produce a vodka unlike any other – the perfect companion for those convivial moments that need an extra touch to elevate the drinks as much as the hospitality game.
We called this new expression Elyx, from the Swedish word for luxury.
The Treat vodka, produced our own unique way
Two years in the making, our master distiller Krister Asplund created Elyx. And still today only a handful of people in Åhus know the exact details of how it is made.
For Elyx, Krister and his team examined everything they had learned from making Absolut Vodka.
From the raw ingredients and distillation processes used to the magic of copper and bottling strength, they looked at every detail and then refined and perfected each one to create a truly luxurious expression which invites consumers to rediscover vodka as a treat.
Whereas Absolut Vodka is produced using wheat from around 400 farms in the Åhus region, Elyx goes further by sourcing the finest winter wheat from just one estate, revitalizing traditional skills and know-how, and bringing back into service a vintage copper column still from 1921.
Single Estate Wheat
Elyx is crafted exclusively from winter wheat grown at the single estate of Råbelöf, which has been cultivating its crops since the 1400s and producing wheat of consistently high quality for generations.
Harvested each August, the wheat from Råbelöf is taken to our nearby distillery, where it is milled, mashed, fermented and distilled to produce our specially crafted raw spirit.
The raw spirit is then refined not in any ordinary still, but in a century-old copper column still from 1921. Reawakened especially for the purpose, this adds an exceptional and unique character impossible to replicate with modern equipment.
Built before the age of computers, this vintage still is operated entirely by hand, using traditional skills and techniques passed down through the generations and now known only by a select few.
Relying on human intuition and feel, every handle, knob and lever is adjusted manually to create the natural, pure taste, unique silky mouthfeel for which Elyx is famous.
Copper Crafted
Copper plays a key role in both the distillation and rectification stages for Elyx, removing any impurities and defining its natural, pure taste.
During the distillation stage, thousands of sacrificial copper packets are added, creating as much contact as possible between the spirit and the purifying copper. These packets react with, and remove, unwanted sulfur compounds in a process called copper catalyzation. They are sacrificial
because the copper packets are only used once before being replaced. And recycled of course, in line with our environmental principles.
The rectification stage, meanwhile, makes full use of the exceptional and naturally purifying qualities of copper. Every part of the vintage still used to make Elyx, from the columns to the pumps and hand-forged pipes, is made out of copper.
The Perfect Strength
Krister and his team scrutinized every detail in their quest for perfection, right down to the precise level of dilution.
For Elyx, our fine spirit is blended with pristine water to reduce it to a bottling strength of 42.3% ABV, compared to Absolut Vodka’s 40%. We specifically chose this bottling strength, because at this higher ABV the character of Elyx can be enjoyed at its best. What’s more, at this higher strength, Elyx makes the most sublime martinis, with standout character and the silkiest texture.
The perfect martini
The indisputable king of classic cocktails, the martini was first cited in Harry Johnson’s cocktail book of 1888 as a heady combination of equal parts gin and sweet vermouth. As its popularity grew so it became drier, using less and drier vermouth styles. By the 1930s, the drink had become a firm favorite in bars and at parties alike.
Introduced as a new, fresher alternative to gin as the base spirit, vodka’s soaring popularity by the 1960s led to the marginalization of the gin martini in favor of vodka.
A martini can be accented with a wide range of ingredients. Olives and lemon zest are among the most popular, but whichever garnish you like the key is to ensure the drink is always served icy cold.
Enjoyed neat over ice, the rich, pronounced mouthfeel of Elyx really is like drinking liquid silk. And it’s this quality and character that is perfectly showcased in a martini cocktail.
Elyx Martini
OUR PERFECT MARTINIHow you make your martini is up to you, but for our signature martini we recommend this combination of Elyx and dry vermouth for our signature martini. The delicate notes of the many botanicals used to create Lillet Blanc complement the rich and silky texture of Elyx.
To make your Elyx Martini, you will need:
A mixing glass or shaker
A bar spoon
Good quality ice
A julep strainer
A stemmed cocktail glass 5 parts Elyx
1 part Lillet bland lemon twist
If you like your martini a little wetter, then 5:3 is also delicious.
Measure the Elyx and dry vermouth into a mixing glass or tin. Fill with good quality ice and stir using your bar spoon until ice cold. Strain the drink with your julep strainer into a chilled stemmed cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Time to enjoy your Elyx Martini, with love from Elyx.
Tasting notes
To fully appreciate the exceptional character and mouthfeel of Elyx, we believe it is best enjoyed neat over ice.
Nose
Clean, rich, rounded, fresh bread and notes of white chocolate, vanilla and creamed cereal, underpinned by deep mellow spice.
Palate
Full bodied, luscious silky mouthfeel with waves of rich macadamia nuts, creamed cereal and garnishes of white chocolate and buttery notes of freshly baked bread. Light fresh nuttiness with a well-balanced hint of mellow spice and pure balanced richness.
Finish
Rounded mellow spice with fresh nuttiness and a well-balanced, silky-smooth finish.