The Mystique of Dan Aykroyd’s Crystal Head Vodka

The story behind Crystal Head vodka runs much deeper than being the brainchild of Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd. It goes beyond its pure distillation through diamonds. It is far more than being that vodka in a skull-shaped bottle. What started for Aykroyd as a desire to get Patron tequila into Canada has become a metaphysical journey for the Saturday Night Live alum. It is a labor of love for actor/musician/writer, and he is happy to share the tale of his transition from liquor importer to designer of his own spiritual spirits. The bottle design is, of course, the first thing a person notices about Crystal Head; it is the shape of a skull. It stands out on a liquor shelf. Aykroyd’s friend, artist John Alexander, is a fan of the Mexican “Day of the Dead” celebrations, in which skeletons are prominently featured as costumes and art. He had the idea of creating a tequila—much more a Mexican beverage—and putting it in a glass skull. Because Aykroyd was already in the liquor business, the two teamed up on the idea, but couldn’t use Alexander’s tequila idea, as Aykroyd was already importing Patron. So they decided to put a pure spirit into the glass skull instead.