While we're on the topic of hydrocarbon liquids and ice rocks, I must report my unintentional experiment tonight...

I poured myself a few fingers of a decent scotch - well, more than a decent one. This was a cask stength Bowmore, single islay malt (56% alcohol). Nice amber colour, delightful odour and an anticipation of taste...

Since cask strength is too powerful even for sipping, I added a few ice cubes. To my astonishment, they promptly sank to the bottom of the glass!

Evidently, clean bubble-free ice from the freezer is denser than a rich alcohol solution on a hot day.

The experiment continued with more drama as the ice rapidly melted. A sheet of water-rich liquid poured off the top of the ice and collected at the base of the glass and the ice cubes steadily and majesticaly rose at the interface between the two fluids, until they reached the top of the glass.

That's certainly an experiment I'd like to repeat, and maybe next time I'll get some witnesses or run a video of it. It was rather neat! (pun intended)

You can't imagine how disconcerting it is to see ice sink! (even if the scientist in me can explain why, the monkey was real impressed)