CRYSTAL HEAD VODKA

Written by Gavin // June 12, 2012 // Drinks

You just have to look at the bottle to see that this is no ordinary Vodka, and having researched the story behind Crystal Head Vodka, there is a lot more to this Canadian spirit than an eerie skull.

Created in 2008, Crystal Head is the brain child of acting legend Dan ‘Ghostbusters’ Aykroyd and the landscape artist John Alexander.  The idea behind the bottle comes from the archaeological mystery of the 13 ancient crystal heads that have been found all around the world that date back up to 35,000 years.  Aykroyd, a strong believer in the spirit world, has spent years researching the tale and enlisted his long time friend, Alexander to pay homage to the legend with the skull design.

You would be forgiven for thinking that, like many celebrity endorsed products, Crystal Head is a gimmick to help get Mr. Aykroyd’s kids through college- but you could not be further from the truth.  This vodka is born out of the beautifully pure glacial waters of Newfoundland, with the finest Canadian grains distilled four times before being triple filtered through Herkimer diamonds!  With such rich credentials, this is one spirit I can’t wait to get my hands on.

After an anxious wait, the box arrives and my eyes light up.  The skull is mighty impressive and is much more intricately designed than the pictures suggest- this is a piece of art.  To the nose, Crystal Head is light, with a hint of vanilla triggering the sweet receptors at the back of the tongue.  I have been provided with a skull shaped shot glass to mark this momentous occasion and is the perfect accompaniment to such a unique liquid.  The taste is as smooth as it smells which is to be expected from an ultra premium vodka, and as it goes down my throat, it is finished with a spicy kick.  The more I sip, the more the flavour is extracted.  The spice is further enhanced when mixed with vermouth, as I managed to create a killer Vodka Martini.

I must admit that when I first found out about Crystal Head, I dismissed it as style over substance.  I’m not a person who admits to being wrong, but this is one instance where I will happily hold my hands up as Crystal Skull is one of the best vodkas money can buy.

Crystal Head is available at Selfridges & House of Fraser, RRP £65 / 70cl.  For information, stockists, and recipes visit www.crystalheadvodka.com