Crystal Head Rainbow Vodka Premium Canadisk Vodka 175 cl 40%

Lift it with two hands. A 175 cl skull in heavy moulded glass is not something you pour from with a flick of the wrist, and that is exactly why it ends up in the middle of the table rather than at the back of the cupboard. The colours handle the rest.

Expert description

Crystal Head Rainbow is a Canadian Vodka made from Canadian corn, distilled four times and bottled at 40% in a rainbow coloured 175 cl skull bottle.

The large format is the same Pride edition as the 70 cl bottle, simply in the size you bring out when there are several glasses to fill. The vodka inside is the house original: corn from Canadian fields, four distillations, water from Newfoundland and seven filtrations, three of which run through Herkimer diamonds. Nothing added.

The glass itself is worth a moment. The shape was drawn by American artist John Alexander and is moulded at Bruni Glass in Milan, and in the large format the detail sharpens: cheekbones, teeth, eye sockets. The rainbow decoration is applied straight onto the glass so the colour follows the curved surfaces instead of lying flat like a label.

Tasting notes

Nose

Mild grain character with a bright touch of citrus peel. The aroma is restrained and entirely free of sharpness.

Palate

Round and soft with clear vanilla. Sweetness from the corn fills the middle without turning thick.

Finish

Creamy and short. It closes with a soft pull and leaves the glass ready for the next mouthful.

Specifications

Name: Crystal Head Rainbow
Distillery: Crystal Head Vodka
Region/Country: Newfoundland, Canada
Type: Canadian Vodka
ABV: 40%
Size: 175 CL
Distillation method: Four times distilled
Edition: Pride, limited edition
Serving suggestion: Pour it cold into Moscow Mule mugs with ginger beer and lime for a larger gathering.

Flavour profile

Round · Vanilla sweet · Creamy · Light

Did you know?

The bottle took more than two years to develop. John Alexander drew the shape, Dan Aykroyd advised along the way, and production was placed with Bruni Glass in Milan. When the first prototype was finally finished, the glassworks itself called it the most complex bottle they had ever produced.

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Frequently asked questions about Crystal Head Rainbow 175 cl

Is it the same vodka as in the 70 cl bottle?

Yes, the liquid is identical. The same corn, the same four distillations, the same seven filtrations and the same 40%. All that changes is the volume and the height and weight of the bottle.

Is the large bottle worth it compared with two smaller ones?

If you want the bottle as a centrepiece, yes. The skull at 175 cl is a different visual experience, the moulded detail reads more clearly, and the Pride edition is a limited release that will not return in the same form. The vodka inside is the award winning house original, so nothing about the quality is traded away for the format.

How many drinks does 175 cl make?

Reckoning on 4 cl per drink, the bottle gives around forty-three servings. That covers a party with room to spare, or a whole season behind the home bar if vodka is not your everyday spirit.

Can the bottle be used as a decanter afterwards?

Yes, and at this size it is a piece of furniture in its own right. The glass is heavy, moulded and label free, and the rainbow decoration sits on the glass itself. Rinse it thoroughly with warm water and leave it to dry upside down.

What does the Rainbow edition celebrate?

Diversity and equality. The bottle is Crystal Head's Pride release, and the house uses it as a visible marker of its support for LGBTQ+ communities — work it carries out all year rather than only during Pride weeks.

How do you pour from a bottle that size?

With both hands, ideally over a tray. Take hold of the back of the skull rather than the neck, and pour slowly so air can get in. If it is staying out all evening, it pays to decant a portion into something smaller.

Is it for cocktails or for drinking neat?

Both, though at this size it is usually a mixing bottle. The soft corn vodka does not disappear under sweetness, and it works in everything from an Espresso Martini to a Vodka Tonic. See more options in our range of Vodka.