The full name of the ink for the St. Louis Pen Show this year is KWZ 2026 “Meet Me in S.t Louis” MOBOT. It is a warm reddish pink, sort of dusty shading color. No shimmer and no sheen.
As a classic KWZ ink, MOBOT does have the slightly vanilla-y smell that all KWZ inks have. Some people love it, others don’t. Just be aware.
MOBOT is an acronym for the “Missouri Botanical Gardens”. The color is inspired by the iris which is the city flower because it is shaped like the Fleur de Lis featured on the city flag. And the color comes from the Tall Bearded Iris which is also called the “Missouri Rose”.
When compared with some of the colors in my library, there are some similar shades — some a little more saturated, some sheenier, and some that lean more pink or purple.
If you like the MODOT color but prefer sheen, Iroshizuku Yama-Budo is a good option. J. Herbin Larmes de Cassis is a close match, maybe a tiny bit brighter, more saturated and slightly more purple. Robert Oster Cherry Blossom is a little more pinky but quite close. Colorverse Miss Baker is slightly more red. Miss Baker, and Larmes de Cassis are the closest in normal lighting, even Yama-Budo looks quite similar in non-photoshoot lighting.
I really appreciate that St. Louis Pen Show is branching out in the colors they offer but I already have so many colors similar to MODOT that I’m not sure I’m going to be compelled to purchase a whole bottle. Someone try to talk me into it.
There will be 200 (60ml) bottles and will be on sale at the show exclusively for $20 each (limit 2 per person), while supplies last. If there are any leftover bottles, they will be sold on site towards the end of the show. I’ve been advised that the limited edition ink often sells out before the show closes so if you are interested, be sure to try to acquire a bottle before the how ends.
DISCLAIMER: Some items included in this review were provided free of charge by St. Louis Pen Show for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.