Absolut Korea: Revisiting the Collaborative Vodka Bottle Release 

Absolut Korea: A Collaborative Limited-Edition Vodka Bottle Revisited

Absolut Korea was a locally released Limited-Edition Coffee, Almond and Chilli Flavored Vodka and one of our many, many incredible artistic collaborations,  celebrating cities and countries around the world.

For each limited-edition bottle in our cities and countries collaborations, we work with local artists to capture the authentic essence of the country through their perspective and artistic expression.

In this post, we open the vaults to revisit and learn about the artwork and inspiration behind the collaboration for Absolut Korea.

Inspired by Kimchi: The Flavor of Absolut Korea

In 2016, we launched Absolut Korea. This Coffee, Almond and Chilli Flavored Vodka took inspiration from…wait for it…Korea’s national dish, Kimchi. That’s right, Kimchi.

Koreans are known for their love of Kimchi—it’s a staple at almost every meal and has been part of Korean cuisine for centuries. More than that, it holds deep cultural significance.

Kimchi symbolizes Korean identity and tradition, often tied to family gatherings and communal experiences. In fact, it’s said that every Korean family has its own unique Kimchi recipe, passed down through generations. And in 2015, UNESCO recognized Kimchi and its traditional practices as Korea’s intangible cultural heritage.

Although Absolut Korea didn’t taste like Kimchi, the influence and inspiration were evident. Absolut Korea’s unique Coffee, Almond, and Chili Flavored Vodka offered a smooth and vibrant blend of flavors. It began with a subtle sweetness and concluded with a hint of spice. The combination of flavors provided a contrasting yet surprisingly well-balanced blend of bittersweet and spiciness – the authentic taste of Korea.

Inspired by traditional – the artwork for Absolut Korea

Created in collaboration with contemporary Korean artist Heo Wook, Absolut Korea’s multidimensional bottle design reflected a unique vision of Korea.

The design intricately combined pieces of Korean letters from the Hangul alphabet, fitting together like a puzzle to form the word Absolut.

The bottle featured the five symbolic Korean ‘obang’ colors: blue, red, yellow, white, and black. Yellow, representing ‘center,’ ‘bright,’ and ‘hope,’ stood out prominently, symbolizing Korea’s dynamic and bright future.

The traditional Korean color spectrum, carries profound symbolic significance in Korean mythology and beliefs, and is associated with the cardinal directions:

• Red (Hong): Representing fire, red conveys passion, energy, and luck. It’s frequently used in weddings and celebrations to symbolize vitality and joy.
• Yellow (Hwang): Symbolizing the earth, yellow embodies simplicity, compassion, and forgiveness. It’s often seen in traditional clothing and Korea’s landscapes.

• Blue (Jeong): Associated with the east, blue symbolizes creativity, loyalty, and generosity, inspired by Korea’s natural beauty and clear skies.

• Black (Heuk): Symbolizing water, black carries the meaning of mystery and is part of Korea’s beauty standards.

• White (Baek): Symbolizing purity, honesty, and innocence, white is associated mourning and is worn during funerals in Korea.

A truly unique, cultural and artistic collaboration, Absolut Korea paid tribute to the rich cultural heritage of Korea. Want to learn more about our Absolut Korea limited-edition vodka bottle?

Explore Absolut Korea