Pernod Ricard USA's announces launch of Absolut Texas vodka, featuring notes of cucumber; product retails for US$19.99/750ml bottle

Nevin Barich

NEW YORK , February 18, 2014 (press release) – Cucumber and Serrano Chili Flavors Celebrate the Best of Contemporary Texas

Today, the world's most iconic vodka brand unveils its eighth and latest addition to the Absolut® Limited Editions portfolio with the launch of Absolut® Texas – the brand's first and only state-inspired flavor. Internationally renowned San Antonio-based artist Cruz Ortiz designed the Absolut® Texas bottle as a modern take on classic Texas iconography.

The taste of Absolut® Texas is rich and smooth with notes of fresh cucumber, and a warm spicy character; inspired by the flavors of Southwestern cuisine. It pairs well with a myriad of ingredients, such as cranberry, cilantro and grapefruit soda.

"From the unique Southwestern flavor to the one-of-a-kind bottle design, Absolut® Texas is our biggest and boldest Limited Edition flavor to-date," said Afdhel Aziz, Brand Director, Absolut Vodka, Pernod Ricard USA. "Absolut® Texas was truly designed as a celebration of all the best that contemporary Texas has to offer."

Cruz's bottle design features a modern spin on iconic Texas imagery, including a "cosmic caballero" cowboy boot against a stylized Texas landscape and his take on the Texas Star. The bottle also features Absolut® founder Lars Olsson Smith wearing a cowboy hat, marking only the second time in the brand's history in which Smith's logo has been altered.

Absolut® Texas is now available in 750ml bottles with a suggested retail price of $19.99. For more information about this instant Southwestern staple, visit www.absolut.com/texas.

About Pernod Ricard USA®

Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA, which employs more than 18,000 people worldwide and is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI).

The company's leading spirits and wines include such prestigious brands as Absolut® Vodka, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlua® Liqueur, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin®, Martell® Cognac, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod®, Ricard® and Avion™ Tequila (through a joint venture with Tequila Avion); such superior wines as Jacob's Creek® and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouet® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.

Pernod Ricard USA is based in New York, New York, and has roughly 850 employees across the country. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking.

For more information on this, please visit: www.acceptresponsibility.org.

About the Absolut® Limited Editions Portfolio

Absolut® Texas is the eighth flavor in the US brand's Limited Edition portfolio, which launched in 2007 with the introduction of Absolut® New Orleans, a flavor reminiscent of the Big Easy. Each year since, Absolut® has introduced the following US limited edition flavors – Absolut® Los Angeles in 2008, Absolut® Boston in 2009, Absolut® Brooklyn in 2010, Absolut® San Francisco in 2011, Absolut® Miami in 2012 and Absolut® Chicago in 2013.

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