Cold northern latitude people win out without a doubt. I was in Ireland a few years back doing a tour at the Jameson distillery. At the end of the tour they select 4 people to do a comparison tasting that puts 4 different Irish brands against a Scotch (Johnny Red) and a bourbon (Jim Beam). I was selected, along with a Finnish guy and a couple of Americans. We have 6 shots sitting in front of us, which we all dutifully sip from to conduct the tasting. After the tasting is done we still have the better part of 6 shots, plus the freebie that Jameson gives to everyone at the end of the tour.

Mr. Finn is sitting right across from me and raises shot number one to the table, saying something in Finnish that must have amounted to "Cheers!" and knocks it back. We all follow suit, and knock back shot after shot after shot. He led, I kept up along with one of the Americans (the other, a woman, dropped out after two shots and pronounced us "insane"). I'm convinced for the American and I it amounted to a point of pride to keep up with the Finn. He didn't even blink. The tour ended shortly afterwards and 15 minutes later I was stumbling down the streets of Dublin, quite drunk, with my wife helping me along towards the bus. Mr. Finn was stone cold, like it was nothing. I still remember the smile he gave me as we walked out into the sunlight. He knew what we would be feeling shortly. Who says that the Scandinavians don't have a sense of humor?

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Jonathan

2011 Mazda2
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1994 C280 (retired)