🥃 Crystal Head Vodka

If you have spotted a vodka in a glass skull on a back bar, that is Crystal Head Vodka, a Canadian vodka produced by Globefill Inc. in Newfoundland and Labrador. The idea came from actor Dan Aykroyd and artist John Alexander. The base Original is made from Canadian corn and is 40% ABV (80 proof).

History. The brand was announced on 10 October 2008, and the first sales began in several US states. The name refers to the legend of thirteen crystal skulls said to have been found in different parts of the world. Alexander designed the bottle as an anatomical skull, and according to UPI it was made by craftsmen at the glassmaker Bruni Glass in Milan.

How it is made. According to UPI, the vodka is distilled four times; after that it is filtered three times through charcoal and three more times over Herkimer diamonds, which the producer calls semi-precious stones. Aykroyd stressed that the spirit has no additives, unlike some competitors. The producer gives no further details on its water or equipment.

Range. Besides Original there are other versions with different designs or flavours. The composition of each one is given on the label and the producer's website. The list of products, including limited series, changes, so check the description on the brand's site.

Why this matters to you. The skull is a feature of the packaging, not of the recipe: legally it is a vodka, and in the EU the minimum strength for vodka is 37.5% ABV. The word 'crystals' refers to filtration, not to the composition of the drink. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.