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.

Having done some research, Aykroyd drew upon the myth and mystery behind the Mitchell-Hedges clear crystal skull.  Found in the Yucatan in the 1920s, it is said to have been discovered underneath an altar in a Mayan temple.  Made of transparent quartz and including a detachable jaw, it is remarkable because there are no visible tool marks on the smooth piece.  It is rumored to be one of 13 such skulls, 5 of which are missing, and 8 of which are held by individuals or institutions.  Of the 8 known skulls, each is physically unique—with a range of sizes and colors, but there is a common thread that appears to bind them: hope.  They are believed to have been created thousands of years ago as symbols of knowledge and wisdom.  How they were shaped remains a mystery. 

As for the particular distillation technique chosen by Aykroyd, it was, again, a spiritual decision.  According to many new age belief systems, Herkimer diamonds constantly emit a positive energy.  To triple-filter the vodka through such gems would make it as pure and transcendental as the skulls on which the bottle was modeled.  Containing no additives whatsoever, Crystal Head vodka is, literally, pure spirit. 

Aykroyd is also, in addition to the importing and distilling businesses, owner of four vineyards and working in conjunction with Diamond Estates wine and spirits.  They produce both red and white wine, which Diamond Estates had been doing for years in the Niagara region, and are sold under the actor`s own label, Dan Aykroyd Wines.  It seems that, while various Saturday Night Live alumni continue on in entertainment (or go into politics), Dan Aykroyd is very happy to continue doing his thing, enjoying the still-popular House of Blues franchise, and distilling his own style of spiritual spirits.