The HOTTEST Inks of 2023!

2023 is all wrapped up, and it's time to reveal the HOTTEST inks of the year! Join Brian and Drew as they count down the top ten fountain pen ink colors that left a lasting impact on the past 365 days.
SHOP at our store! www.gouletpens.com/
LEARN more on our blog! www.gouletpens.com/blogs/foun...
LISTEN to The Goulet Pencast here: gouletpencast.fireside.fm/
SUBSCRIBE to our KZbin channel: bit.ly/GP-YTsubscribe
LINKS TO PRODUCTS FEATURED:
Platinum Chou Kuro Black:www.gouletpens.com/products/p...
Wearingeul Ink and Acessories: www.gouletpens.com/collection...
Wearingeul I Am A Cat: www.gouletpens.com/products/w...
Sailor Yurameku Sukigokoro: www.gouletpens.com/products/s...
Diamine Celadon Cat: www.gouletpens.com/products/d...
Diamine Sailor's Warning: www.gouletpens.com/products/d...
Monteverde Blue Skies: www.gouletpens.com/products/m...
Organics Studio Nitrogen: www.gouletpens.com/products/o...
Noodler's Black: www.gouletpens.com/products/n...
Noodler's Southwest Sunset: www.gouletpens.com/products/n...
Jacques Herbin 1670 Emerald of Chivor: www.gouletpens.com/products/j...
Colorverse Witch by Starlight: www.gouletpens.com/products/c...
Diamine InkVent Calendar 2023 (Purple Edition): www.gouletpens.com/products/d...
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro
00:47 Platinum Chou Kuro Black
02:33 Wearingeul
05:23 FWP Buttered Popcorn
08:10 Sailor Yurameku Sukigokoro
09:50 Diamine Sailor's Warning and Celadon Cat
11:16 Honorable Mentions
14:27 Diamine InkVent 2023
ABOUT GOULET PENS:
Brian & Rachel Goulet started The Goulet Pen Company in 2009 and you can see the evolution of our mom and pop into a full-blown company through this channel. We run a dedicated online store with fountain pens, ink, paper, and other fine writing accessories. Our goal with this channel is to provide fountain pen fans at all levels of experience with comprehensive product reviews, round ups, and how-to videos to answer all the fountain pen questions you may have. Shop at www.gouletpens.com.
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Blog: www.gouletpens.com/blogs/foun...

[@spontanenuphare]

I teach in high school in the UK and I use my Invent calendar as a countdown to A levels with my pupils as there are 25 weeks left from January until exam time. My pupils love to discover with me what colour I will be marking with each week. Jess.

[@Donna_G]

Most of the ink that I got in 2023 were ink samples. Some of the samples were in the list; but, many were not. An ink sample is the perfect size to fill a TWSBI Eco. Purchasing ink samples is also a great way to try a wide variety of inks. I'm glad that the Goulet Pen Company has this option.

[@philippebarillecavalier9275]

Ink samples get addictive fast! Order one, next time you order a dozen! Without ink samples, I don't get to try many in my life. In that sense, excellent value.

[@7eather]

​@@philippebarillecavalier9275Yes!!!

[@7eather]

👍👍👍 bought mine from Goulet Pen Co, and that's right, they are the perfect size!

[@MexieMex]

You ***HAVE*** to make up a glitter Platinum Chou Kuro Black and do a video on it!

[@ShawnPitman]

I’ve done diamine golden sands and noodler’s black. There’s a hidden green tint in there somewhere that comes out. Flows well and has properties of both, like you’d expect, but something about mixing with blacks that brings out odd colors in other inks.

[@kurisquare]

The Buttered Popcorn memorial really got me 😂 my condolences to Drew!!

[@alisonthepastor]

Am SO glad you added Wearingeul. I got the Wicked Witch set and absolutely cackled with delight mixing potions.

[@619to253]

Can you see the glitter when you write with it? Rachelle in Seattle

[@alisonthepastor]

@@619to253 As long as you give the pen a good shake first to distribute the glitter. ✨

[@tiredprincess451]

yes you can. it’s a very fine shimmer and doesn’t clog pens either

[@dacksonflux]

Can I just take a second to commend Drew for knowing his work and doing a good job? This is my second year watching the pencast and I'm always impressed by the knowledge and understanding. I bet and Brian and Rachel are super proud of their team. Good job this year, everybody. 🎉

[@7eather]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@BrunaCruz792]

The seriousness of the buttered popcorn section of the video had me 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@donnarion1147]

I actually choked on a sip of tea at that last "always in our hearts"!

[@kookatsoonjan]

🤔🤔@@donnarion1147

[@PlanYourOneLife]

😂

[@karidru5272]

The new kinds of glitter in the inkvent are cool and all but where I am super impressed are the times where they come out with like, a Silent Night, brand new blue black that has zero dupes. Or Seize the Night. Like what the heck... they captured that purple/brown lights in the clouds over a city vibe, which are notoriously ephemeral. I can tell someone over there really loves and pays a lot of attention to colors, especially the colors of the sky, and I love them for that.

[@ina_lina]

Silent Night is one of the two bottles that I bought from the 2022 inkvent. Seize the Night also looks pretty, but the other 2022 bottle I bought was Pick Me Up, which looks like it's in the same color family.

[@karidru5272]

@@ina_lina They're not that similar in person. Pick Me Up, which is a lovely color but I don't use it because of sensitivity to scents, is pretty solidly brown, in spite of that cool sheen which is similar to Winter Spice. Seize the Night looks like a sepia online yet it's very purple in person, but it has a gold sheen, or oxidation, really- across the top that dulls it to something more neutral. The way it acts reminds me of Sailor's Yurameku second edition inks.

[@jackalantyrng]

Even if they were gone by the time it airs. I would love to see an after christmas video of Drew opening each inkvent ink and testing them. I wanna see his surprised face of what he gets. I think it would be so fun! I don’t want it ruined of course cause I enjoyed my own surprise, but I would still love to see him do an unspoiled one too. Or both of them opening it together. Maybe make a video when they first come in, and don’t post it til after? Either way I think it would be cool to see.

[@margaretmclaren4685]

My husband made himself some glitter Polar Glow with the glitter potion. It's pretty neat. I really enjoyed the Inkvent calendar. My husband and I opened it together. It was a nice daily connection.

[@SwampSilver]

Isn't that just Jack Frost?

[@margaretmclaren4685]

@SwampSilver kinda. It looks like that has blue shimmer and he used the silver simmer. I think we have a sample of Jack Frost somewhere. We'll have to compare the two.

[@oldladywcamera]

Fun. Laughed so hard ar the Buttered Popcirn flying arrow image. Chou kuro, by the way, is pronounced Choh Kooroh. The OU sound in Japanese is a long O. Thanks.

[@diyac9554]

Omg those are the best ugly holiday sweaters. Wish you’d release some limited edition Goulet Pens ugly holiday sweaters in future years. Would be so cool to have one with pen nibs on them!

[@mephitstophilis]

Nibs and Corgis!

[@jess53nz]

The sentimental music when talking about butter popcon. 😂😂😢😂😂

[@GGMoonish]

Holy crap… Colorverse Witch by Starlight is gorgeous! Imma have to get a bottle soon! 🤯💜

[@catherinerw1]

Oh come on... an ink called "I am a cat"!! Can't go wrong.

[@tortoiseperson]

It's gorgeous! So when they brought out a pen case to match, I fell for it.

[@Sparklepony]

They discontinued Buttered Popcorn? So I won’t tell anyone (Drew) that I have an unopened bottle right here in front of me. 😈

[@HighWideandHandsome]

I have a mostly-full bottle. I didn't know it was discontinued until this video. Now I've got to tease Drew with it.

[@LucyLu_meztli]

@@HighWideandHandsomelol, no worries. Drew has mentioned he has 2 bottles and will have this ink for a while 😉🤭 Happy 2024 🥳

[@Sparklepony]

Booo!! LOL @@LucyLu_meztli

[@bobbibailey2246]

Noooooooo! 😢

[@s.n.11]

I find Candle Light from Inkvent to be very similar to Buttered Popcorn. Could it work as a substitute?

[@quantumbonde8060]

I'm glad you added Wearingeul - they are fantastic inks. Witch by Starlight was an amazing release. It's been my favorite ink overall since it came out.

[@LaylahniJade]

The inks from previous Inkvent years have become some of my absolute favorites. Like Stargazer! Gosh what a lovely ink! It is right up there with Emerald of Chivor for me :)

[@leicaman]

Just learned about your store last week as I began my exploration of fountain pens, and am enjoying your content immensely. Watching this particular video reminded me of a photo trip I took to Colombia back in 2005. In fact, the word Chivor has particular meaning for me because I visited multiple emerald mines in the mountains of Colombia, but was not able to make it to the Chivor mine where, many argue, the best emeralds come from. A broken rib at the Muzo mine, untimely government crack down on users of dynamite, bad weather, cost of body guards all can be so annoying. I suspect your store is going to become my go-to place. Thanks!

[@eric_the_fred]

They say every time someone complains about OS Nitrogen, it gets prettier

[@tortoiseperson]

I've become quite obsessed with Wearingeul!

[@brianlenz244]

How can Ferris Wheel Press not bring back Buttered Popcorn after that!

[@195516Z]

My OCD went into high-gear during this episode. That circular Goulet Pen Co. sign needs to be rotated clockwise just a few degrees so that the type is perfectly horizontal . Happy New Year, guys!

[@kohakuaiko]

I also noticed

[@Tabbyhasbees]

I will say that I was going to skip the Inkvent this year but saw so many great FB posts from community members that I had to get on board (a little late, but still). It's just fun to be part of an event like this. PS I need a tutorial on these glitter potions! They sound like they could be a lot of fun!

[@jimholzemer9196]

Wonderful job, Guys! As a Cleric, I compose prayer cards for parishioners/hospital/assisted living folks. Using a variety of nib sizes and colors, these cards give our folks that tangible something to view and hold on to. And being a collector of 30's/40's vintage models, it is quite fun to try a variety of inks! Maybe I missed something, but was surprised that the Monteverde Color Change inks did not make the list. Anyhoo, so appreciate the Pencasts and wish you all a Happy and Blessed New Year! Deacon Jim

[@TheSeatedView]

Take heart, Drew. Diamine's Candlelight is another wonderful yellow ink - just a little big darker, so easier to read.

[@ravenzanne]

OMG, I just snorted my coffee with the Buttered Popcorn lament music.

[@Chrisamic]

My favourite from this years Inkvent was Bah Humbug. I put it in my Dadao (#8 medium) and used it to write cards, put notes on presents and write out recipes for people. The glitter shows up on all papers and cards really well.

[@robynfuller3988]

Love hearing about all these inks! Going to pick up some now!

[@candidlyal]

I fell in love with diamond inks this year!! I used to be ONLY black. Always. And I finally broke my mold and now I have a drawer full of beautiful color samples from you guys - many mentioned in this video! Happy new year and thank you!

[@sarahblam]

Happy New Year Brian & Drew and the folks at Goulet Pen, we so appreciate you for all you do!

[@amariebeaubien]

Love your sweaters! And the inks!

[@jayirwin]

Happy New Year! Thank you for all you do to support and promote the fountain pen and ink community. And, so cool that you included Wearingeul in your round up. I bought 4 of their inks and a bottle of shimmer this year and have been using them consistently. They are really well performing inks (even on low quality papers) with an impressive color range. I’d recommend them to anybody. I’m looking forward to getting a set of swatch cards next.

[@jamesadams7131]

You guys are the greatest!

[@theartesana]

Happy New Year 🎉

[@Meela33]

For whatever reason Drew’s love and excitement for buttered popcorn had me buying a full size bottle when in had only ever done samples. I’m so glad that I did! (Especially now that it’s discontinued) Thank you Drew!

[@donnarion1147]

Great video! Of course now I want the Sailor Suki Gorkoro. All the best to the Goulet crew in 2024.

[@sambbbb]

Been waiting for this video, yay!

[@margalo399]

I love the mood music for The Tale of Buttered Popcorn....I am looking at my bottle with new affection.

[@shakiaraweston4304]

I've been so excited and waiting for this video!!!!

[@robbobiii5345]

Sukigokoro has got to be my single favorite ink I had bought in 2023. Absolute stunner of an ink with so many facets to its personality!

[@ntaylo6299]

Loved this as ink is my thing. As an artist ink is a tool of the trade. And the two of you are fun. Stroke of Midnight was my OMG ink of the year.

[@s.n.11]

That's my favourite FWP ink. I'm in love with the blue-black base tone and the shimmer is quite good.

[@raphaelhudson]

I really like yellow inks. Have my golden sands right in front of me right now

[@thejumpingnomad2485]

The music for buttered popcorn like a funeral made my day! Ha Ha!

[@arlenet.1520]

Happy New Year Brian and Drew! And to all of the Goulet staff! I enjoyed this video. I just discovered Wearinguel a couple of month’s ago because of a new pen friend. I’m so happy that you will be carrying Wearinguel inks maybe you will have those inks sets they release also. Maybe we get to see what new inks Brian and Drew are using this year. Maybe Goulet will start to carry Taccia Teranishi Guitar inks…finger crossed!😊My mission for 2024 to watch all the Pencasts episodes I missed since inception which is a lot…wish me luck! Thought I don’t have buttered popcorn ink I will be snacking on popcorn as this own newbie takes notes on each episode. Thanks for all the insights and always all the good humor and it’s great to see people who are just having fun doing what they love which makes the pen community so great!

[@Missfortunerules]

Drew's eyebrows get a lot of exercise. Happy New Year to Everyone and thank you!

[@cynthiaslater7445]

I got the Monteverde Blue Skies with my last pen order. It is a nice color. I like most of the inks I've gotten from Goulet. I think my favorite will always be Noodlers Ottoman Roses. My next favorite is Iroshizuku kon-peki, a turquoise blue. Happy New Year!

[@darrondoyle902]

Happy new years guys 🎉. Any chance of a review of Ferris Wheel Press - Bookkeepers Brass? Wanted to know how good it would look in my brass pens 🖊️

[@aislingcarey84]

great inks on this list

[@mellow-jello]

FYI Crystal Blue Legacy was left out from the FWP line up, which launched on Fountain Pen Day, surprised since blue is usual on Brian's radar. Nonetheless, Diamine Celadon Cat & Rohr & Klinger Iron Gall Ebony was also one of my 2023 inks.

[@Bobkanada]

Peacock Blue, the old shearfer color. Anything similar somewhere?

[@donnarion1147]

I used Sheaffer's Peacock Blue forever, starting with the first Sheaffer cartridge pens. When I seriously got back into fountain pens I went on a hunt for a dupe for Peacock Blue. What I ended up buying a bottle of is Diamine Havasu Turquoise. It was a little hard to be really exact without a sample of Peacock Blue for comparison; I was going off of various on-line swatches. Hope this helps. Happy New Year!

[@s.n.11]

Love seeing you guys! For the next Q&A: what is your pen&ink related 'wishlist' for 2024? Like collaborations, inks that you wish existed, special pens, etc. In my wishlist: -inks with glow-in-the-dark shimmer -a TWSBI ECO with glitter or pearlescent effect -Lamy Safari dark green similar to Umbra -a Benu Talisman Dandelion Wish you a Happy New Year!!

[@ina_lina]

Those are some good pen wishes. I'd like to see a Retro 51 fountain pen with the art from the pirate rollerball, but instead of blue and neon, make it etched in metal, a blackened silver or other pirate-y metal (tarnished brass?), with silver clip and finial (gold is probably more pirate-y, but I like silver better!)

[@s.n.11]

@@ina_lina that one would be awesome!

[@steffymuze]

Oooh if TWSBI started in on the BENU glitter? 😊❤ at 1/4 the price

[@mellow-jello]

It would be interesting to compare Platinum Chou Kuro vs Rohr & Klinger Iron Gall Ebony for their black shade of darkness. I have a bottle of the latter, and collect black FP inks.

[@alisonthepastor]

“It doesn’t matter. Give it to me!!” Yes, we know Nitrogen is insane. And will still love it….

[@Tiss17979]

Highlander quote! I love it❤!

[@debcarroll8192]

I appreciate the loving tribute to Buttered Popcorn. I discovered it--alas, too late--when you did the sample giveaway on the pencast. Now I have to make my sample last and treasure every drop. R.I.P., Buttered Popcorn.

[@dr.d723]

Thank you, Gentlemen, for your great video. Interestingly, none on your 2023 list are inks that I own at present. I have many, many ink bottles and many samples now, but only 3 are shimmer/glitter/sparkly inks. So, I guess I will be increasing my sample collection to include these.

[@Amber-wz9et]

Great video! Also, I keep seeing Buttered Popcorn available on FWP's Canadian website.

[@differentkindofGEKE]

13:42 I bought a bottle of Noodler’s Southwest Sunset. It’s in my Noodler’s Mesa Tortoise Konrad. I have a sample of Emerald of Chicken in my TWSBI Diamond 580 Prussian Blue. Turkey Hammock

[@Sonicman415]

Wearingeul ‘Inksperiance’.. Omg, the wistful music for the discontinued ink 😂

[@krys6461]

Drew, have you tried the DeAtramentis Popcorn scented? I'm curious how the color compares/coordinates to FWP BP.

[@highnoon9333]

Southwest Sunset just can't be beat IMO

[@KendallW]

LOL the music at @5:23 so good.

[@gustoramus]

Thanks for the look at some great inks, speaking of favorites, and it is plural for sure. Syo-Ro is one of mine, to my eye there is a marine, nautical sense to "Dew on Pine Tree" so I'll have to give Jacques Herbin's Emeraude de Chivor a turn at the paper and see what transpires. Merci............

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

Hey Guys!: Really enjoyed the inky list! Still want to try some of those inks like NITROGEN!

[@stopaskingmedumbquestions]

Will the invent calendars go on sale at all? Or is that the price until theyre gone?

[@sharlenezuhlke1561]

We Like it!

[@johnsomers8269]

I like "safe" bottles! Shaeffer Scrip, and Akkerman. Lamy makes a great bottle as well. You of 'em?

[@bkzwolf]

Is southwest sunset Apache renamed?

[@eleanorjlh]

Tiny correction: there were five colours in Sailor Yurameku 2! Dategokoro, Hanagokoro, Kokoroguma, Sukigokoro and Zaregokoro :) The whole set is great but your highlight here has made me look at Sukigokoro (previously my least favourite of the set) in a whole new light!

[@kyris66]

Really? Suki Gokoro is my favourite in my thick music nib. So pretty.

[@rikhalder5708]

Is Noodler ink waterproof?

[@Izanuela22]

I have an ink question… I got a box of different scented inks by Jacques Herbin for Christmas this year. I just did the ink swabs and what can I say… One of the inks had tons of weird floaty bits in it (I have no idea what that is) and four of the five inks are so incredibly „feathery“ that for a moment I doubted my swab technique… I tried them with different pens, nibs sizes and papers… Only one ink seems „normal“. Now my question: Can inks go bad? As they are now I don’t want to use them in any of my pens, especially not the one with floaty bits in it… I thought that Jacques Herbin is high quality…?

[@nathaliepoulin]

Not sure if it's an inside joke, but chivor does not mean chicken, it literally translates to "green and rich land", which is super fitting for the ink. Thanks for this list, you guys are awesome!

[@cathiescott7382]

This is the second year for chameleon inks in the Inkvent calendar

[@ESmithonlyonthursday]

An ink swab notebook? Take my money!

[@LightningWithaTouchofMag-on7oe]

It’s really nice to hear someone actually pronounce Wearingeul correctly. Thank you for not mangling Korean.

[@AlainSTO]

Let's talk about Buttered Popcorn **In the Arms of an Angel begins to play**

[@SolangeGarnier]

Dang! I was about to cave and indulge in Blue Skies but I just saw you suspended customs fees at checkout. I’ll wait hoping it does not sell out in the meantime!

[@pattiel1108]

Hi, guys. Shopping for new ink because my Lamy Al-star just keeps drying out no matter how many times I soak and clean it. Higgins has an ink and it is labeled "fountain pen/india ink". I also saw Dr. Ph Martin's Bombay ink but all of them are india ink. I thought India ink was not appropriate for fountain pens. So two things - how else to clean the pen and is the Higgins ink suitable? Thank you!

[@mynamedoesntmatter8652]

How long did you soak it? If you haven’t tried a 24 hour soak, do that and see if it clears out. Maybe do two soaks for that long. Run water through it first then drop it into water. Hope this helps.

[@pattiel1108]

@@mynamedoesntmatter8652 Multiple times 24 hr soak. Guess what? All of a sudden it started writing....Used some dish soap a couple of times, so dunno. The ink, clogged? Going to stay away from anything marked india from now on. Thx for your reply.

[@mynamedoesntmatter8652]

@@pattiel1108 I just went through this with one of my neglected older pens. I must’ve soaked out three cartridges full of ink from that little nib. It was something. Glass after glass of blue-black water. I rinsed a lot first, but ink will really build up and it’s hard to get out. Just takes several glasses of water. I also ran water into the glass to create a bit of agitation, like a little nib washing machine, and that moved things along a lot faster.

[@gamerdojo]

What do you guys mean when you say high maintenance ink?

[@brettisernhagen9446]

I wonder what the lowest-selling inks are.

[@janepilecki8083]

Great video! Of the top inks., not including honorable mentions, I bought only one. That is Blue Skies and it actually came with the Innova pen. The others, well, as lovely as they may be, they are illegible to me. I want inks that I can see on the paper once it dries. The honorable mentions, I have most of them. But the Organic Studio Nitrogen, I bought it when it came out. But it is so difficult to manage in my pens, I threw it out! I want ink that is dark, maybe shades, has no glitter/shimmer, maybe sheens, and that I can see. I hope the ink manufacturers come up with some new colors that fit the bill. How about Witch by Starlight without the shimmer??? Now that would be fabulous!! Of course, I do have somewhere between 400-500 bottles of ink, I think. So why do I need more????

[@kookatsoonjan]

?????🤔🤫

[@joshuasasmor6565]

How does Chou Kuro compare to Stuart Semple's "Blink"? My wife got me a bottle of that for the holidays. She had to swear that we weren’t Anish Kapoor…

[@Slaughter0tter]

Drew didn't realize there was an inventory error? Pretty sure all the buttered popcorn samples disappeared mysteriously.

[@elisecorbett5576]

I can’t imagine being your kid and trying to explain to my friends what you job is.

[@MrCharlesRoyal]

Did they rename Apache Sunset?

[@Gouletpens]

They did - it's now called "Southwest Sunset". - Drew

[@vnikyt]

1/4 UGLY SWEATER RACE RESULTS: Drew is definitely winning 😂 You guys are adorable 😊

[@rwmack3523]

I feel it'd be remiss if I didn't demand a clarification: all inks left at room temperature will be the same temperature. I just checked 8 bottles chosen at random, even from different elevations in the ink cabinet. They're all the same temperature. Eat it, Goulet.

[@raventhelight9357]

Rip butter popcorn 😢

[@philippebarillecavalier9275]

I see the blue and pink neon sign on the wall is gone.

[@FrauStaenki]

An Edelstein ink with a Lamy pen ... I feel a disturbance in the force ...

[@williamcatalano1762]

I want to know how black Platinum Chou Kuro Black is compared to Noodler's Dromgoole's Exclusive Texas Black Bat. Texas Black Bat is the darkest black I've ever seen.

[@jsal7666]

bye i think i have experienced the mandela effect because i always thought that wearingeul was spelled wearingful

[@kan-zee]

Over $80 cad, ($60 usd) for the Platinum *Chou Kuro ink* ?? I can get a months supply in food for this little bottle of ink....thanks , but no thanks.

[@blktauna]

I don't use Nitrogen now that I discovered Birmingham Pen co's Tesla Coil. And it behaves a lot better. I honestly don't get the Emeraude de Chivor love. Its fussy and not very nice. Inkvent on KZbin is so much fun.

[@ginamiller6754]

I’m so happy that you are carrying Wearineul!! I noticed the brand with “I am Cat” and the cat face swatch cards, but Goulet pens is my first choice as a shop! This crazy cat lady is now going to your shop to get Diamines Celadon Cat! How did I miss that one?? 🩵🩵