A Brief History Of Banned Liquor Labels
Via @mleewelch, Esquire lays out a few of the labels the U.S. and Canadian governments have gone all prissy about. In one case, even the shape of the bottle is the problem. Example (photos at the link):
Dan Aykroyd's Crystal Head Vodka, 2010Offending label: The whole bottle is shaped like, well, a crystal skull.
Fallout: The Liquor Control Board of Ontario -- which bumps against Michigan and other northern states -- said the skull glamorizes death. Aykroyd reportedly said the ban makes his liquor more appealing.
Sexy? Well, Elizabethans do call orgasms "the little death."
Where you can get it: In specialty shops across the U.S.
You might not know this, but the BATFE has final say on the appearance and content of every label on alcoholic products in the USA.
Radwaste at December 8, 2010 3:02 AM
That vodka is available (at least was the last time I checked) in the state run liquor stores in Virginia.
It's tasty stuff, and not just because it comes in a glass skull. But why target liquor bottles shaped like a skull in particular? Why not ban everything featuring a skull, since it all would apparently "glamorize death" under this asinine policy. On the plus side, no more Ed Hardy products!
Allison at December 8, 2010 7:05 AM
According to Akroyd those skulls are supposed to be the crystal skulls found in South American Indian sites. It is not glamorizing death but about new age mysticism.
There are lots of alcohol with skulls that are much more having fun with death. From what I've read skulls not only have been used to symbolize poison, but used for centuries by alcohol makers as a tongue-in-cheek way to signify danger, "our stuff is too strong for you".
I hope none of those sensitive Ontarians find themselves in Mexico on Nov 1.
plutosdad at December 8, 2010 7:48 AM
I've seen Tequila bottle modeled after a revolver. Seems like that would be more likely to cause trouble than a crystal skull.
Christopher at December 8, 2010 9:32 AM
One of the micro-breweries came out with "Old Bong-water". There was a little problem with that, as I recall.
Pricklypear at December 8, 2010 9:33 AM
We have a bottle of it. I drank most of it... We might be giving it as Christmas gifts to some of our friends. The vodka is pretty good, and the bottle is cool.
I've seen liquor bottles that are made specifically to convert to bongs once they're empty. I wonder if you can get those in Canada?
Ahw at December 8, 2010 9:43 AM
I work for the US-Southwest distributor of Crystal Head Vodka, so I realize this isn't going to seem like an unbiased opinion. Cool packaging aside, it's some of the best vodka I've ever tasted.
Beth Cartwright at December 8, 2010 10:06 AM
Seems pretty appropriate - could be thought of as "if you drink too much of this and aren't careful, it could kill you".
KrisL at December 8, 2010 6:12 PM
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