In Other News: Dog mauls endangered penguins

Sydney: Eight endangered fairy penguins have been cruelly attacked by a dog on Sydey’s Northern Beaches. Four have died from the attack.

Local volunteers are said to be shocked by brutal attack.

‘I can’t believe that a dog could do this. These beautiful penguins are completely defenseless, and the dog showed no mercy. How could it be so heartless? It is such a devastating loss.’ wept Laurie Hart.

Greenpeace spokesperson Ari Gant is appalled ‘that an animal could possibly eat another animal. It is just unnatural. I mean, what to dogs think they are, animals?’

PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, are pushing for changes to the law. They say that dogs should be tried as adults, and also be eligible for the death penalty (sic).

The actual reporting of this incident highlights two major bombshells about nature that are sure to shock any greenie:
1. Even endangered animals die sometime after they are born, like all living things,
2. That animals eat other animals (ever heard of the food chain?).

In other news, scientists have discovered that it is darker at night than during the day.

Penguin Review: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban

It is often said that necessity is the mother of invention. I like to think that being a cheapskate is another source. The lads and lasses at Glenmorangie have mustered up some old unused port casks, gave it a few extra years of ageing, and voila! But does it work?

The nose is subtle, sporting unsurprisng port tovertones, given what Quinta Ruban is. Expect a slight touch of cinnamon, and something I recognise as freshly cut wood.

It will hit your lips with a punch. Be prepared for tawny port with citrus, complemented with a faint hint of peat smoke. Which is surprising in a sense, the deep amber colour implies a heavy, smoky taste. A light finish of chocolate and mint complements the receding port.

Not for everyone, but not a bad one for the collection. It lacks the delicate balance or the complex smoke usually found in an $80 bottle, but the port inflections certainly make this a refreshing change. Drink with dessert, something rich and creamy, not a great one for fruit.