Crystal Head exists because Dan Aykroyd could not find a vodka he was satisfied with. Frustrated by how many premium brands quietly relied on additives, he and the artist John Alexander set out in 2007 to make one without them, and to put it in a bottle nobody would forget. Alexander designed the skull, drawing on their shared interest in the legend of the thirteen crystal skulls, and the result became one of the most recognisable bottles in the category. The Pride edition takes that skull and finishes it in a full rainbow gradient running from deep red at the neck through orange, yellow, green and blue to violet at the base. The brand's stated reasoning is straightforward: colour is a form of expression and a communication tool, and the bottle is a celebration of diversity and equality. It is released annually in selected markets for a limited time. What is inside is the original Crystal Head expression, unchanged. It is made from locally sourced Canadian corn, blended with water drawn from Newfoundland and Labrador at the eastern edge of North America, and filtered through Herkimer diamonds, a doubly terminated quartz found in New York state that the brand uses as a final polishing stage. The producer states the vodka is completely free from additives, which was the founding premise of the whole project. In the glass it is clean and neutral with a subtle grain sweetness on the nose, smooth and creamy across the palate with soft vanilla and gentle citrus, and crisp and pure through the finish. Chill it, mix it, or keep the bottle afterward.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
40% |
| Proof |
80 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Canada |
| Region |
Newfoundland and Labrador |
| Producer |
Globefill Inc. |
| Category |
Vodka |
| Expression |
Pride Limited Edition |
| Base |
Locally sourced Canadian corn |
| Water |
Newfoundland and Labrador |
| Filtration |
Herkimer diamond filtration |
| Additives |
None, per producer |
| Founders |
Dan Aykroyd and John Alexander |
| Bottle |
Skull bottle in rainbow gradient finish |
| Release |
Limited edition, released annually in selected markets |
Tasting Notes
Color: Crystal clear.
Nose: Clean and neutral, with a subtle grain sweetness and soft vanilla.
Palate: Smooth and creamy, with vanilla, gentle citrus and a hint of sweetness.
Finish: Crisp and pure, clean and refreshing without heat.
FAQ
Q: Is the vodka different from standard Crystal Head?
A: No. The Pride bottle contains the original Crystal Head expression. Only the bottle finish is exclusive to this release.
Q: What are Herkimer diamonds?
A: Doubly terminated quartz crystals found in New York state. Crystal Head passes the vodka through them as a final filtration stage.
Q: Is it additive free?
A: The producer states the vodka is completely free from additives, which was the founding premise behind the brand.
Q: Who created Crystal Head?
A: Actor Dan Aykroyd and artist John Alexander, in 2007. Alexander designed the skull bottle, inspired by the legend of the thirteen crystal skulls.
Q: Is the Pride bottle released every year?
A: The producer describes it as released annually in selected markets for a limited time, with the design varying between years.
Q: Where can I buy Crystal Head Pride Vodka online?
A: Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
