WKD Original Vodka
WKD is a brand of alcopop produced by Beverage Brands. It is sold and heavily marketed in the United Kingdom and Ireland with the slogan ‘Have you got a WKD (for "wicked") side?’, and also in many countries in mainland Europe. AC Nielsen ranked it as the number-one UK ready-to-drink (RTD) alcopop in 2006.[1] in December 2014 to comply with alcohol tax laws and to minimise future tax increases and therefore the “Alcoholic Mix WKD” replaced the old “Original WKD” and the Old Mix is no longer available in both the UK and Ireland. The small change to the alcohol element of the WKD was not intended to change the taste of the product and for clarity, still contains triple distilled vodka. In addition, it contains an alternative alcohol base (not wine) to minimise tax. The actual recipe remains unchanged.
 WKD logo | |
| Type | Vodka |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Beverage Brands |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Related products | List of vodkas |
| Website | wkd |
Product information
WKD originally contained 5.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), but this was reduced to 5% in October 2003,[2] to 4.5% on 25 July 2005, and later to 4%, current as of 2020. The drink was launched in August 1996 in Scotland under the name 'Wicked'. Initially available in 330ml bottles, the bottles were later reduced to 275ml, matching other alcopops. The 275ml bottles are sold in pubs, bars, and shops across the UK, with shops also selling multipacks of 4,10 and 12, and 700ml bottles.
Varieties
Current varieties
As of 2020:
| No. | Name | Information | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WKD Blue | "Mixed-fruit" flavour | 1996 |
| 2 | WKD Iron Brew | Orange coloured, Irn-Bru flavour | |
| 3 | WKD Berry | Dark red, berry flavour | |
| 4 | WKD Mango Crush | Orange coloured, mango flavour | |
| 5 | Passion Fruit | Peach coloured, passion fruit flavour | |
| 6 | NKD Blueberry and Elderflower | Low calorie, violet, blueberry and elderflower flavour | 2018 |
| 7 | NKD Lemon and Lime | Low calorie, light green coloured, lemon and lime flavour | 2018 |
| 8 | Pink Gin | Pink coloured, raspberry flavour | 2019 |
| 9 | Orange and Passionfruit | Yellow coloured, orange and passionfruit flavour | 2019 |
1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 are sold in standard mixed multi-packs.
Discontinued varieties
- WKD Original Vodka Silver
- Clear, "tropical" flavour.
- WKD Blonde
- Apple-flavoured, but not cider-based; yellow.
- WKD Core
- Cider-based drink, apple-flavoured, green. Introduced 2009.
- WKD Purple
- "Mixed berry" flavour.
- WKD Green
- Green apple flavour.
- WKD Orange
- Orange-flavoured and coloured.
- WKD Vegas
- "Mixed fruit" flavour, dark purple.
Advertising
WKD Vodka has been heavily promoted in the UK. Promotion includes a TV advertising campaign, a national poster campaign, scoreboard sponsorship at Premiership football clubs, giving out samples in bars and clubs, sponsorship, and student tours. Their catchphrase "Have you got a WKD side?" was launched in 2000 and hit TV screens in 2001. The TV adverts feature men pulling pranks or behaving in a strange or selfish manner for the beverage.[3]
Along with several other alcopop or RTD producers, WKD were considered by the UK ASA to be using advertising likely to appeal to under-18s,[4] and some of their TV adverts were banned.
Sponsorship
WKD was a sponsor of the "WKD Shed Sports Show" which aired on Nuts TV, which had its own channel on Freeview and Sky but closed on 15 January 2009.
WKD has been a sponsor of the "WKD Nuts Football Awards" since this annual event began in 2006.[5]
References
- "WKD surges to become no. 1 RTD brand". Beverage Brands / AC Nielson. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
- "WKD reduces ABV and passes duty saving on to customers". SHS Drinks formerly Beverage Brands. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
- "Our Brands". SHS Drinks formerly Beverage Brands. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
- "TV alcopops adverts 'broke rules'". BBC News Online. 26 September 2006. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
- http://www.comeonboro.com/awards/500013.php