Noodler's inks are great. Like all noodler's products, it has a smell. It's not overpowering, though. The bottle is completely full, so be sure to sit it flat on the table when you're opening it. Don't believe me? Fool around and find out. On your shoes, or on your clothes, or on your carpet, but definitely on your hands. Now to the highlights.1) This ink is only very slightly darker than Diamine oxblood. If you're expecting a black with hints of red around the edges, that's not what this is. It does look amazing coming out of a dragon-shaped fountain pen, though.2) Dark enough to be professional, but fun enough to still appear as though you're writing with the blood of your enemies. Make that joke around the office, I dare you. ?3) Flows smoothly in every pen I've tried it in, regardless of brand. Only feathers on the cheapest of papers, and I'm talking the stuff you get at the dollar tree, or on the envelopes you get with your rental statements from the landlord.4) They want to make sure they give you your money's worth. I've said it before, but it bears repeating. THE BOTTLE IS FULL! There isn't even room for the holy spirit between the lid and the ink, so sit it down on a flat and level surface when you open it. Put your pen in very slowly and with great care when you do the first few fills. Don't have any toddlers or excitable pets in the room when you do it, either. You won't get it off of your shoes or the carpet if you open it for the first time and haven't followed these instructions. Feel free to ask me how I know. Just don't. Don't move any more than you have to. Don't even breathe.In summary, this is really good ink. It smells a little bit, but not even close to as rotten as the smell of a noodler's pen, so you should be good. It flows smoothly and doesn't have feathering problems. Great, rich color. It's in my top three favorite inks.