Monteverde Smoke Noir Ink Bottle, Grey - 30ml

Monteverde Smoke Noir Ink Bottle, Grey - 30ml

This is a 30?ml glass bottle of fountain?pen ink from the Monteverde “Noir” collection—specifically the Smoke?Noir shade. It’s part of a curated palette of moody, expressive neutrals and darker hues blended with black to give depth and subtlety.
While the name suggests a dramatic “smoke” or black?on?black look, in practice Smoke?Noir dries to a medium grey rather than a true black.
In reviews, the ink is described as “dark gray with low shading and low sheen”.
Its aesthetic is understated—ideal if you like grey tones for journaling, everyday writing or if you want something less stark than black but more professional than a pastel.

• It uses Monteverde’s Ink Treatment Formula (ITF): this means it’s lubricated, formulated to promote good flow, smoother writing, and protection against clogging or corrosion of fountain?pen feed systems.

• The bottle specs: 30?ml volume; glass bottle; bottle opening diameter approx.?23.5?mm (0.93?in) according to listings.

• Flow & behavior: According to the review by Fountain Pen Pharmacist, the ink offers a wet flow but with moderate drying time (~20 seconds on 52?gsm Tomoe River paper) and good handling.

• Shading & sheen: The shading is limited (i.e., you won’t get dramatic variation from dark to light in one stroke) and it has minimal to no sheen effect. 

• Water resistance: Some users note “high water resistance” in the review, though the manufacturer does not advertise it as permanent or waterproof.

• On first glance, especially in swabs or in a pen with generous ink flow, the ink may appear quite dark—almost black. But once it settles and is absorbed into paper, it reveals a true mid?grey tone.

• Because the shading is not extensive, the grey tends to be uniform and reliable—so you’ll get consistent grey lines rather than extreme variation or flamboyant color surprises. The behavior is described as “very wet on the paper… then suddenly dried” on cheaper paper in one review.

• This makes it an excellent choice if you want something subtle, professional, and less harsh than black, yet still serious and legible. It works well for journaling, note?taking, or correspondence where you don’t want the full intensity of black.

• Because of the wet flow and lubricated formulation, this ink is especially well suited for fountain pens that might run a bit dry or have broader nibs—where flow consistency matters.

• Dry time: On high quality paper, expect moderate drying times—perhaps around 15?30 seconds depending on paper and nib size. On cheap absorbent paper, it may feather a bit, so if you’re working in a notebook with thinner paper, you might want to test what you get.

• Maintenance: As with any bottled ink, it’s a good idea to rinse your pen periodically if you plan to switch inks. While this ink is dye?based and not known to be particularly problematic, good pen hygiene helps maintain performance.

• Beware of old stock: Some users have reported occasional quality control issues with Monteverde inks (e.g., mold, odd odors in bottles). While nothing specific to Smoke?Noir has been flagged in large volume, some caution is wise:

  “I have about a dozen and 2 of them went bad… I loved Smoke?Noir! It’s so cool to see it dry to gray.” 
  It’s worth checking the bottle on arrival for any odd smell or sediment, especially if the stock has been sitting for a long time.

• Paper choice: Since part of the appeal is the mid?grey tone and smooth flow, using fountain?pen friendly paper (higher GSM, tighter weave) will allow you to appreciate the behavior and avoid feathering or bleed?through. On cheap paper, the ink may spread and appear slightly lighter due to absorption.

• If you’re colour?matching: If your intent is grey writing, this ink will deliver. But if you want strong shading, vibrant highlights, or shimmering effects, you may want to look elsewhere—the grey tone here is even, not gimmicky.