Former (and possibly future) Ghostbuster Dan Aykroyd has offered a drink to Ontario liquor stores, only to be turned down like an old man at a Queen’s University bar. Crystal Head Vodka—which comes in a clear skull-shaped bottle—has been banned for sale at the LCBO because, apparently, mixing skulls and alcohol doesn’t convey the best marketing message. “The image of the human skull is the thing that’s really problematic for us,” LCBO spokesman Chris Layton told the Globe. “That’s an image that’s commonly associated with death. It’s especially problematic at a time when there are concerns around binge drinking by younger adults, which in some cases, unfortunately, has resulted in alcohol poisoning.”
Aykroyd sees it a little differently: “This is a decision that’s been made reflecting the appeal of the product, because the board is rightly concerned that underaged drinkers may go to illegitimate means to obtain a bottle of Crystal Head, maybe steal it or whatever.”
At around $60 a bottle, teenagers would almost have to steal it instead of, say, getting someone to buy it for them (giving three $20 bills to the skittish dude hanging out in front of the liquor store isn’t the best idea). So we’re not all that surprised that the LCBO would take this hard stance, especially since the province has OK’d the vodka for restaurants and on-line sales. We are shocked, however, that Dan Aykroyd is involved in something marginally cool.
• Ontario bans Dan Aykroyd’s skull-shaped vodka [Globe and Mail]
Oh, but Caramilk liqueur is okay?
May 20, 2010 at 10:21 am | by SalanthOh, fer crissakes. Why has the Ontario Government suddenly developed the audacity to think they can become the devil on the shoulders of people who consume alcohol in this province? This idiotic decision plus the application of the HST to liquor as an additional “sin tax” (in a feeble attempt to control drinking) is pretty bombastic.
Seriously – I would’ve bought one of these ridiculous things for the damned bottle. And no, I’m not a teenager.
May 20, 2010 at 11:42 am | by DanaWhat ridiculous nonsense from the Ontario police/nanny state. If there is valid concern about teenage binge drinking Crystal Head, where is the data? BC sells the stuff for $59.99. Where are BC’s teenage Crystal Head binge drinkers? Answer: They don’t exist. Statistics in the US have long established that college age binge-drinking is a media myth. Read here:
http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/BingeDrinking.html
I quoth therefrom:
“Binge” drinking is down and abstinence is up among American college students. Yet in spite of this and other overwhelming evidence, the false impression persists that drinking is increasing and that “bingeing continues unabated.”
May 20, 2010 at 3:28 pm | by RobertIn Nova Scotia we had to search everywhere for the two bottles we did find. I complained to the NSLC about the availability and it was shrugged off. This is unfair marketing practices! This is a Canadian product ( and a damn fine one too) and we should be able to buy it, it is about choice. It was so hard to find, that when I did – I actually did feel like Indiana Jones. Bring it back and let us buy it if we choose to, we are older adults BTW!
May 21, 2010 at 7:51 am | by elelethThank you LCBO for looking out for me. Without you I’d have to use my own judgement and who knows where that would lead?
May 21, 2010 at 10:18 am | by mattagascarThe LCBO is being silly – it is nonsense like this that undermines its credibility.
May 21, 2010 at 12:19 pm | by Scott Howardbut has still sold a million bottles, and racked up 50 mil in sales, AHntario!
May 21, 2010 at 9:08 pm | by b-rockThis is an excellent example of why the Ontario government should not be in the retail business. Governments are elected to govern, not act as merchants of a monopoly. Why Ontario voters allow it, is beyond me. Do the people really believe that booze is safer in the hands of corrupt politicians and power hungry bureaucrats? Shocking. The LCBO is a sluggish company rife with incompetence. Secure on its mountain top, it acts without consequence or financial accountability. Our government needs to let go of this monopoly and focus on issues of governing. It needs to give the cash cow to the people, where it belongs.
May 25, 2010 at 8:58 am | by starettieWell… Personally, I can’t help but ask what this is supposed to mean:
“We are shocked, however, that Dan Aykroyd is involved in something marginally cool.”
Because you know, I hadn’t noticed that Toronto Life was cooler than:
SNL,
The film industry in general,
UFOs,
Paranormal research,
Blues music (and the promotion and performance thereof),
etc.
Dan also just donated wine to the Canadian troops (beer was already being donated and therefore already free but wine was not), re: the troops’ allowed 2 drinks per month, and I also think that is pretty cool.
May 25, 2010 at 10:43 am | by Jamie BrowningChris Layton is an idiot!
May 25, 2010 at 3:37 pm | by RobmalOnce again, who said that Ontarians had any say in anything…Big Brother is doing MORE than watching… time for a change-
May 27, 2010 at 5:40 am | by DesignergirlIt’s okay — we just went over the Buffalo to buy this cool bottle! Might has well help the U.S. economy if Ontario doesn’t want our money! The great, generous Dan Ackroyd will get some of the profit anyways, so that makes us happy!
May 27, 2010 at 7:58 am | by Lorraine MatsonI would have purchased it as well….. Thanks for nothinf LCBO…. PS> I’m 30
May 31, 2010 at 5:12 pm | by KateWow, yet Jolt, Rockstar and all those other caffeine induced drinks are at the corner stores for youth to consume, please Ontario, get out of the 50′s!!!!!!!!!
June 4, 2010 at 1:40 pm | by JackieLast time I checked, I lived in Canada, not China
June 4, 2010 at 1:41 pm | by Jackie