Joe had done as he had been bidden and poured three roughly equal glasses of the strong amber drink. He seen it in the pub enough to sort of do it right. On the whole, he felt rather foolish and stupid. Handing out the glasses, the seconds ticked slowly by in awkward silence. Joe stared into his glass before taking a mouthful and immediately regretting it. Being strictly a beer and ale man, his throat rebelled at the touch of the fiery spirit. He had the presence of mind to clamp his mouth shut and forcefully swallow it, before coughing vigorously.