LCBO and Crystal Head Vodka

[Chr1s]

With Halloween approaching, I thought it'd be cool to pick up a bottle of Crystal Head vodka, packaged in a very neat skull bottle. This has been on the market for a little over a year and is made in Newfoundland! Should be available right?

I nearly fell off my chair laughing when I called the LCBO and was informed that they do not carry Crystal Head vodka because "it is their social responsibility to protect society and that people have complained about the shape of the bottle as it represents poison and death."

Did I hear that right? Hello... All alcohol is technically a poison!

All other provinces carry it, except of course Ontario (and Alberta.)

I was informed however, I have an option to buy a CASE (over $700) from the distillery/licensee. I don't want a case, I just want one bottle, and it is 'illegal' for me to buy it from anyone else, unless I go on a road trip, or ebay for the glassware.

Completely backwards if you ask me, but I head a good laugh!

[peroxide8888]

Here in BC it's under $25 for a 26 oz. bottle of several brands of vodka (Skyy, Silent Sam, Smirnoff, Finlandia, Absolut, Stolichnaya etc). Crystal Head is $60 for a 26 oz. bottle; highway robbery IMHO for vodka in a funky bottle.

[peroxide8888]

That is a bit pricey. I see it priced at $49.99 in Newfoundland.

Maybe I should just check out BST, and see if anyone wants to sell me their empty bottle.

I'm sitting here looking at an empty bottle right now (friend's, not mine).

[canadianiagarafamily]

It's 50 bucks for a litre at the Peace Bridge Duty Free in Fort Erie, ON

[Ebola]

With Halloween approaching, I thought it'd be cool to pick up a bottle of Crystal Head vodka, packaged in a very neat skull bottle. This has been on the market for a little over a year and is made in Newfoundland! Should be available right?

I nearly fell off my chair laughing when I called the LCBO and was informed that they do not carry Crystal Head vodka because "it is their social responsibility to protect society and that people have complained about the shape of the bottle as it represents poison and death."

Did I hear that right? Hello... All alcohol is technically a poison!

All other provinces carry it, except of course Ontario (and Alberta.)

I was informed however, I have an option to buy a CASE (over $700) from the distillery/licensee. I don't want a case, I just want one bottle, and it is 'illegal' for me to buy it from anyone else, unless I go on a road trip, or ebay for the glassware.

Completely backwards if you ask me, but I head a good laugh!

If you're near the border, the duty free stores will have it.

[Frankie3s]

Pretty cool if you ask me....

[D582]

I nearly fell off my chair laughing when I called the LCBO and was informed that they do not carry Crystal Head vodka because "it is their social responsibility to protect society and that people have complained about the shape of the bottle as it represents poison and death."

LOL. The LCBO has no problem importing plenty of wine, beer, and liquor from other countries, but god forbid they actually carry a product that was (gasp) Made in Canada!

Here in BC it's under $25 for a 26 oz. bottle of several brands of vodka (Skyy, Silent Sam, Smirnoff, Finlandia, Absolut, Stolichnaya etc). Crystal Head is $60 for a 26 oz. bottle; highway robbery IMHO for vodka in a funky bottle.

That is a bit pricey. I see it priced at $49.99 in Newfoundland.

$60 in BC vs $50 in NFLD makes sense when you account for shipping charges from one end of the country to the other.

[Cisco KId]

Great marketing love the bottle!

My favorite vodka to drink is Grey Goose and Rain Vodka

The Rain Vodka I have found to be excellent value
http://www.rainvodka.com distilled 7 times sooooo clean tasting

Personal preference is straight up when very cold so smooth or on rocks w water

[Eyeman]

LOL. The LCBO has no problem importing plenty of wine, beer, and liquor from other countries, but god forbid they actually carry a product that was (gasp) Made in Canada!

Don't blame the LCBO. Canadian makes it virtually the same process to important alcohol from another province as from another country. That's one reason beer is so expensive. Brewers in most countries have one or 2 big breweries for the entire country. Canadian brewers need have to have a brewery in every province, otherwise they'd get hit with "import" duties for bringing it in from another province.

And its not just beer. I remember someone being prosecuted for bring in "bootleg chickens" from Quebec. You couldn't make up anything sillier if you tried.

[Ebola]

Hahaha! What a big tease!





Thanks for the info! I was always under the impression that you actually had to be crossing over to buy at the duty free shop. Too bad that it isn't closer for me as it would be a 3 hour trip both ways. I'll have to stop in next time I am in the area.

canadianiagarafamily, is it a full 1L in the skull bottle? The ones I see online are for 750ml.



Oh, I do blame the LCBO in this case. It's been a year, and all the other provinces have done the 'red-tape' paperwork regulation BS. Makes me wonder if there is anything to 'greasing of the palms' here, especially with the ridiculous (and canned) response I got.

If you do go to the duty free nearest you, you will have to go in, buy the bottle, then at minimum u-turn infront of the CBSA (Canada Border) or proceed to US customs then turn around and either way at minimum come through the Canadian border, as there would still be taxes to be put on the bottle, as you had bought it without the taxes put in on at duty free, because it was shipped their directly for export only.

[NestleQuick]

I contacted the NLLC Board and this the response I received

Hi James, my name is Dan Noel and I work for the Newfoundland Liquor Corporation. just curious as to how many bottles of Crystal Head you were looking for. The cost of the product is $49.99 taxes included and in terms of shipping that would be your responsibility but I can give you a contact number for Mr. Doug Bryson from UPS. His number is (709) 738-8838. Doug usually handles our shipping within Canada. In terms of payment, I'm assuming it will be credit card so you would have to fax me a written request and permission to use your card for the purchase. Our fax # is (709) 834-7215.

Thanking You and hoping to hear from you soon

[ptejvw]

With Halloween approaching, I thought it'd be cool to pick up a bottle of Crystal Head vodka, packaged in a very neat skull bottle. This has been on the market for a little over a year and is made in Newfoundland! Should be available right?

I nearly fell off my chair laughing when I called the LCBO and was informed that they do not carry Crystal Head vodka because "it is their social responsibility to protect society and that people have complained about the shape of the bottle as it represents poison and death."

Did I hear that right? Hello... All alcohol is technically a poison!

All other provinces carry it, except of course Ontario (and Alberta.)

I was informed however, I have an option to buy a CASE (over $700) from the distillery/licensee. I don't want a case, I just want one bottle, and it is 'illegal' for me to buy it from anyone else, unless I go on a road trip, or ebay for the glassware.

Completely backwards if you ask me, but I head a good laugh!

Actually, I live in Alberta, and the store at the Canex here carries it for sure. I think I have seen it in the other liquor stores as well. I don't know about it representing poison and death- but it DID make my 8 year old daughter want me to buy it, because it looked "so cool"

[Scotian Lotion]

Diamond Wines (which Dan Akroyd is a part owner) is the Canadian Distributor of Crystal Head. They are based in Ontario, though it's not available here. You can buy directly from them, but it's bloody expensive ($70 each, and you must buy a case of 6 minimum).

[dealman5]

It is sold in winnipeg.

[death_hawk]

Although Alberta has been said already, I figured I'd mention it again.

It's not cheap though.
I'd rather Grey Goose it personally.