A few years ago I was in Rome for a semester abroad. Some buddies of mine had told me I had to try the stuff. On morning during Italian class the teacher, ( a very old-school nun) was just ragging on us about what hopeless, lazy students we were. Therefore, during the break, around 10:30 am, my buddy and I decided that it would be a good idea to visit the hotel bar for a nip prior to returning to class as it might take some of the sting out of the nun's tongue. Being the future leaders of this country that we were, we decided over the bartender's protestations that we should try grappa. It was served in what looked like a small wine glass containing about 2 1/2 shots. Not realizing that it was around 110-120 proof, we knocked those suckers back in one shot, caught our breath and headed back to class. Within moments, we were both snickering at the teacher and didn't give a crap about the generalized dressing down we were getting. Class was followed by a delicious lunch and then that most beautiful of latin inventions, the "siesta". life was good.