Vok Beverages Explained

Vok Beverages is a drink manufacturer in South Australia.^[1]

Earlier history

Before the acquisition by Bickford's of the brandname, Vok was a brand of a range of liqueurs manufactured by Jan Vok, a Dutch company, popular in Papua pre-war.^[2] Immediately after WWII sixteen flavours,^[3] from Advocaat to White Curaçao were being imported into Australia, and distributed by Stephen King Pty Ltd of Sydney.^[4]

An early marketing exercise by the company was the "Vok Thousand", an award of £1000 (one thousand pounds — the price of a mid-range car) to a Test cricketer, on the basis of points accumulated over the 1950–51 season.^[5] Len Hutton was the inaugural winner.^[6]

The company, which advertised prominently in the Dutch language Australia newspapers^[7] made the distinctive shape of its bottles a "selling point".^[8] The company was still advertising similar products in the "distinctive bottle" in November 1978.^[9]

Drinks

• Vok Liqueurs
• Aqua Pura Water
• Bearded Lady Bourbon^[10]
• Beenleigh Rum
• Black Bottle Brandy
• Boronia marsala
• Cawsey's Grenadine
• El Toro
• Frigate Rum
• Galway Pipe port
• HI NRG Vodka & Energy Premix
• Infused Rush
• Inner Circle Rum
• Olympus Ouzo
• Real McCoy Bourbon
• Rebellion Bay Spiced Rum
• Three Oaks Cider
• TST Tolleys Brandy
• Vickers Gin^[11]

See also

• Bickford's Australia - sister company.
• List of South Australian manufacturing businesses

Notes and References

1. Web site: Fosters hives off 13 wines to Vok Beverages.
2. News: Advertising . . 31 . 19 . International, Australia . 9 May 1941 . 16 August 2022 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
3. News: Advertising . . 9150 . New South Wales, Australia . 24 July 1946 . 16 August 2022 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: National Security (Prices) Regulations . . 170 . Australia, Australia . 9 September 1946 . 15 August 2022 . 2470 . National Library of Australia.
5. News: Vok Thousand . . XV . 216 . New South Wales, Australia . 1 December 1950 . 15 August 2022 . 28 . National Library of Australia.
6. News: Cricketers on Parade . . XV . 293 . New South Wales, Australia . 2 March 1951 . 16 August 2022 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
7. News: Advertising . . 4 . 42 . New South Wales, Australia . 29 July 1955 . 16 August 2022 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
8. News: Advertising . . XI . 281 . New South Wales, Australia . 15 February 1947 . 16 August 2022 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
9. News: Advertising . . 46 . 26 . Australia . 29 November 1978 . 15 August 2022 . 101 . National Library of Australia.
10. Web site: Hicks. Robin. 2012-12-04. Vok Beverages launches 'brave and edgy' campaign for Bearded Lady bourbon. 2021-03-26. Mumbrella. en-US.
11. https://www.vickersgin.com.au/