“Aiyo, how much more for a fifth of vodka?”
Wu-Tang Clan famously asked that very question on their 2007 album 8 Diagrams and decided to answer it themselves.
The answer? $14.99.
At least, that’s what Wu-Tang is charging for each bottle in the four-flavor collection of Wu-Tang Clan Premium Liqueur vodkas. The initial lineup includes Original (as in vodka-flavored) and the somewhat more outlandish flavors, Butterscotch, Strawberry Lime, and our favorite, C.R.E.A.M.
That’s right, the killa-beez Staten Island hip-hop group figured if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, and entered the celebrity spirits game like DJ Khaled and Ciroc, Drake and Virginia Black Whiskey, Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin, and George Clooney’s Casamigos Tequila. But none of those other suckers have their name on the bottle. Hat’s off, Wu-Tang.
At 20 percent ABV, Wu-Tang Clan vodka was made to be enjoyed straight, on ice, or as a mixer in cocktails. However, the strangest part is that if you want to pay dolla, dolla bills y’all and taste any of the four vodkas, you have to be in Australia.
Although Wu-Tang is a part of the branding, the line of spirits is actually the brainchild of the Melbourne-based company Divas Beverages. General manager Daniel Kwort saw a gap in the Australian spirits market (the gap that was ripe for the inclusion of an music-backed spirit). Kwort reached out to Wu-Tang Clan (a move that deserves props on its own) and they went for it. The flavors were then developed at Divas Beverages, which currently houses liqueur brands Divas VKAT and Divas Glades.
While members of the hip-hop group weren’t at the distillery infusing vodka, they were still involved in the creative development of the vodkas, including the design of the bottle logo — recognizable to any Wu-Tang fan as the group’s bat-signal.
The Divas’ focus seems honed in on bold, unique flavors, as Divas Glades developed bottles like Melon, Blue Citrus, Butter Scotch, Coconut, and Black Anise (coming soon). So, it’s no wonder they had the genius to make C.R.E.A.M. (inspired by possibly the best, if not most iconic, Wu-Tang Clan track ever set). But as much as we love the music, we’re questioning the quality and flavor of the taste. ..
C.R.E.A.M. is described as “the perfect blend of fresh cream with nutty tones and nougat.” We’re not 100 percent sold on the dessert-flavored vodka trend, but Wu-Tang Clan Premium Liqueur does provide a suggested recipe to mix with C.R.E.A.M. If you try it, we gotta know — hell yeah or hell nah?
The Dream
- 60 ml Wu-Tang Clan C.R.E.A.M Premium Liqueur
- 30 ml Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur
- 15 ml Banana Liqueur
- 15 ml Cream
Method: Blend with 1 cup of ice until smooth and pour into a highball glass. Garnish with a glazed cherry or slice of banana.