History
Aykroyd and Alexander conceived of the idea for Crystal Head Vodka in 2007, after realizing they were both fascinated by the legend of the 13 Crystal Skulls. Once Alexander had sketched the bottle, Aykroyd suggested that they fill it with a spirit that reflected the purity and quality of the skulls of legend. Aykroyd had been repeatedly frustrated by attempts to find a vodka that was free of additives, and realized if he wanted one he would have to make it. So the bottle was filled with the purest vodka they could manufacture.
It took two years to execute the manufacture of the bottle, as Milan-based glass manufacturer Bruni Glass declared it to be of "unsurpassed design and complexity."
Crystal Head launched in Southern California in September 2008 and launched in four other states shortly after. Liquor stores sold out quickly. Supply could not keep up with demand, and the company had to hold further release until they had built up stock. Crystal Head launched in the rest of the states in 2009, and is now available in more than 30 countries. According to 2010 data compiled from IMPACT, Crystal Head Vodka reached the one-million bottle mark faster than Grey Goose, Belvedere and Chopin Vodkas.
In 2010, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario refused to carry Crystal Head Vodka in its stores, because it said people might find the bottle offensive. In 2011, in response to popular demand, the LCBO lifted the ban.
21,000 bottles of the vodka were stolen from a warehouse in Southern California In May 2011,. Dan Aykroyd, the owner, responded to TMZ: "My partners and I are sorry to lose this much vodka to theft and do not condone criminal activity in any fashion, but we are happy that some consumers will be afforded the opportunity of tasting it at significantly lower than retail price."
In May 2013, Crystal Head Vodka and Universal Music Canada released a joint statement that announced Crystal Head to be the official vodka of the Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary Tour.
According to the Financial Post Dan Aykroyd spends over 90 days a year on the road promoting the vodka through signings and appearances.
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