Halloween is about more than just hollowed-out pumpkins, horror films and fancy dress parties. In the world of spirits, too, dark legends, mysterious figures and macabre bottles abound. From spicy autumnal flavours to Mexican skull art and deep-sea monsters: some spirits seem as if they were made for Halloween. We’ll take you on a journey through six surprising perspectives.
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Pumpkin spice: the taste of Halloween
When you think of Halloween, you think of pumpkins. Not just as spooky lanterns on the front doorstep, but also as a symbol of autumn. In the United States in particular, pumpkin spice has become a proper seasonal tradition.
Interestingly, pumpkin spice isn’t really about the flavour of the pumpkin itself. It’s a blend of spices that usually consists of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves, sometimes with a dash of allspice. Originally intended to flavour pumpkin pie, it can now be found in coffee, cakes and even spirits.
The world of spirits has also embraced this autumn tradition. Think of creamy chocolate liqueur with warm spices or American moonshine with a distinct pumpkin spice character.
And then there are the bottles that take their inspiration from the pumpkin itself. After all, at Halloween, it’s not just about the taste – it’s got to look the part too.
Día de Muertos: when the dead come to life
Some of the most striking bottles in the world of drinks come from Mexico. They are decorated with colourful skulls, skeletons and masks that, at first glance, seem perfectly suited to Halloween. Yet behind these images lies a very different tradition.
Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is traditionally celebrated in Mexico on 1 and 2 November. Families commemorate their deceased loved ones with flowers, candles, photographs and decorated altars. Unlike Halloween, the focus is not on the fear of death, but rather on the memory of life.
A well-known symbol is the calavera: a skull, often colourfully decorated. You’ll find it in art, decorations and even on bottles of tequila.
KAH Tequila is a splendid example of this. The ceramic bottles are shaped like painted skulls and reference Mexican death culture. Espolòn also features skeletons on its labels, inspired by traditional Mexican print art.
The connection with Halloween is mainly visual, but behind those impressive bottles lies a rich cultural history.
Skulls & bones: bottles to give you the creeps
A skull is perhaps the most recognisable symbol of mortality. For centuries, the skull has featured in art, pirate tales and Gothic symbolism. It has also carved out a place for itself in the world of spirits.
Some producers go far beyond simply featuring an image on the label. They turn the entire bottle into a skull.
Crystal Head Vodka is perhaps the best-known example. The transparent glass skull has now become an icon, but the brand also experiments with special editions. For instance, the white ‘Bone Edition’ gives the skull an almost petrified, bony appearance, whilst the black ‘Onyx’ version evokes a completely different atmosphere.
Things get even more macabre with Deadhead Rum. The bottle is inspired by a so-called ‘shrunken head’. The result is a bottle that looks as though it has come straight out of a cabinet of curiosities.
Whisky enthusiasts needn’t be left out either. Smokehead combines a distinctive skull motif with the powerful, smoky whiskies from the Scottish island of Islay.
These are bottles that still attract attention even when empty.
Devilish drinks and little monsters
The devil has played a role in folk tales, legends and mysterious stories for centuries. It is therefore no surprise that his name regularly crops up in the world of whisky.
Take Jim Beam Devil’s Cut, for example. The name is a nod to a well-known phenomenon in whisky maturation. During cask maturation, some of the spirit evaporates through the wood. This loss is known as the angel’s share.
But some whisky also remains, seeping into the wood of the cask. Jim Beam uses the name ‘Devil’s Cut’ for a bourbon in which whisky is extracted from that wood and incorporated into the final blend. If the angels get their share, the devils apparently mustn’t be left behind.
And then there’s Ardbeg Wee Beastie. The name roughly translates as ‘little beast’, but make no mistake: this five-year-old Islay single malt is renowned for its intense peaty smoke, peppery notes and boisterous character.
A little monster with a hefty bite, then.
Monsters from the deep
Not all horror stories are set in graveyards or abandoned castles. Some of the most terrifying legends come from the sea.
For centuries, sailors have told tales of gigantic tentacled monsters that dragged ships down into the depths. One of the best known is the Kraken, a mythical sea monster from Scandinavian seafaring tales.
That mysterious creature lent its name to The Kraken Black Spiced Rum. With its dark bottle, striking tentacle illustrations and nautical design, the brand perfectly captures the atmosphere of ancient seafaring legends.
The spiced rum also offers an interesting contrast to the dark tale depicted on the packaging.
So, if you fancy putting a different spin on Halloween, you could swap the classic ghosts and vampires for mysterious creatures from the ocean.
A smoky Halloween: fire, ash and mystery
Halloween also has a less visible side: atmosphere. Think of misty landscapes, crackling fires, dark forests and the scent of smoke lingering in the air.
You can find those same associations in certain whiskies, particularly in the peated single malts from the Scottish island of Islay.
During the production process, peat is used in some whiskies to dry the malted barley. The smoke from this can leave distinct aromas reminiscent of campfires, ash, soot and sometimes even medicinal notes.
With its name and packaging, Smokehead explicitly plays on that rugged identity. Ardbeg Wee Beastie, with its young, powerful character, also fits in beautifully.
It’s a completely different take on Halloween: the focus isn’t on the bottle or the label, but on the aroma and flavour in the glass.
Witches’ potions and the mysterious green fairy
A mysterious green drink, a centuries-old reputation and tales of artists who were entranced by it. Few spirits capture the imagination quite like absinthe.
This drink, made from ingredients including wormwood, aniseed and fennel, was nicknamed La Fée Verte, or the Green Fairy, in the nineteenth century. Absinthe became particularly popular amongst artists and writers in France. At the same time, a sinister reputation began to take hold: the drink was said to cause hallucinations and drive people to madness.
These stories turned out to be greatly exaggerated. The historical problems surrounding absinthe had far more to do with excessive alcohol consumption than with mysterious supernatural properties. Yet the legend lived on.
Today, absinthe comes in various forms, from traditional green to striking red or yellow. In the classic absinthe ritual, cold water is slowly added to the drink, often giving it a milky, cloudy colour.
An almost magical transformation in the glass. Cauldron not included.
Under the blood moon: when the night turns red
A moon that slowly turns red has given rise to a great deal of superstition throughout history. For some peoples, it was an omen of doom; for others, a sign of supernatural powers.
In reality, a blood moon is a natural phenomenon that can occur during a total lunar eclipse. Sunlight filtered through the Earth’s atmosphere then gives the moon a reddish colour.
This mysterious aura also inspires the world of spirits.
Scapegrace Blood Moon Gin takes its name from this extraordinary phenomenon. This New Zealand gin features blood orange as a distinctive flavour element, complemented by botanicals such as juniper and mint.
Whiskies with names such as Auchentoshan Blood Oak also fit neatly into this theme. Not because of any supernatural properties, but because of the dark imagery their names evoke.
In this way, Halloween also finds its place beneath the starry sky.
Which Halloween spirit suits you best?
Halloween can certainly take many forms. For some, it’s all about warm autumnal spices and creamy liqueurs; for others, it’s about impressive skull-shaped bottles, Mexican traditions or a robust, smoky whisky.
At Drankenshop Broekmans, we’ve put together a selection of spirits, each of which, in its own way, suits this special time of year.
Whether you’re looking for an eye-catching bottle for your collection, want to serve something special at the table, or are simply curious about the stories behind these drinks: there’s plenty to discover.
Enjoy responsibly and in moderation. Even at Halloween.
Marketing • IT • Klantenservice
I've known Broekmans since I graduated in 2006 and thanks to Jan I've come to know the passion for spirits. I dedicate myself every day to the webshop, customer service and all the IT involved. In my spare time, besides whiskey, I can also really enjoy rum, but just as much as a gin tonic or a simple bellini. In the words of Martien Meiland, if there's no alcohol in it, don't call me!
