How to drink from a Quaich?

[Fit2BKilted]

Since this is the closest thing to a "Miss Manners" column I could find on the site, I thought I should ask here...

Are there any particular sets of social guidelines pertaining to drinking from a quaich? I know they're generally reserved for strong spirits, and that it's a communal cup... Any arcane etiquette associated therewith?

[Balaamsass51]

Well, the reason its got two handles is for you to drink, then hand it to someone else, not letting go of your handle while they take it with their handle. Symbolism of joining, brotherhood, communality, oneness and all that kind of stuff.

Of course, if you hold on with your left hand and they take with their right, you know they are not holding a weapon, so you could stick them with yours if needed.

Probably both thoughts miss the mark, but hey, it's early on a Sunday.

Matt H.

[Jack Daw]

My best friend from high school (and fellow piper) and his wife visit me once a year. I always pour a good single-malt [either Macallan 18 (my favorite) or Talisker 18 (their favorite)] into a shiny pewter quaich and we pass it around by the lugs...ladies first, of course! But, if there is any other ceremonial rite I could add to it, I'm all lugs.

[thescot]

I find that a quaich is best used with both hands after a few drams. I just pour in a bit of whiskey and raise it to my lips. It's kind of like slurping your soup.

For formal occasions, when you want to exhibit especially good manners, extend the pinky fingers of both hands to show good breeding.

[Jack Daw]

I have a much older quaich that looks like it was used for the daily porridge.

[Fit2BKilted]

So... I'm happy to learn I've not been making an a$$ of myself while those 'in-the-know' were too polite to say anything

[DWFII]

I was taught that the quaiche is passed holding one lug, received with one lug and reverently partaken from holding both lugs...FWIW

[macwilkin]

We have a custom in at our St. Andrew's Society Burns Night that the piper's dram after the procession of the Haggis is offered in a quaich, and that the piper consumes the entire contents of the cup, flips it over & kisses the bottom to signify that it has been drained.

T.

[JS Sanders]

<< the piper consumes the entire contents of the cup, flips it over & kisses the bottom to signify that it has been drained. >>


I was taught by a former regimental piper to drain the quaich and hold it over one's head - bottom up - to signify the same.

Diff'rent strokes I suppose.

[Cynthia]

Very interesting!

How is quaich pronounced? Thanks in advance!