Learn Polish: Ten krytyk kulinarny twierdzi, że ten aromat jest wyjątkowy, aczkolwiek dziwny. - This culinary critic claims that this aroma is exceptional, albeit strange.

Aczkolwiek is a formal conjunction meaning "although" or "albeit". It works perfectly here to introduce a contrasting adjective without needing a full clause. You could absolutely use chociaż, but aczkolwiek gives the sentence a more elevated, professional tone, which fits well with the context of a culinary critic.

Why are wyjątkowy and dziwny in the nominative case? Doesn't the verb być (to be) require the instrumental case?

This is a common mix-up! You use the instrumental case when być links a noun subject to another noun (for example, On jest krytykiem meaning "He is a critic"). However, when być links a noun to an adjective, the adjective takes the nominative case. Since wyjątkowy and dziwny are adjectives describing the subject aromat, they stay in the nominative.

Is there a feminine equivalent for ten krytyk kulinarny if the critic is a woman?

Yes, the feminine form is ta krytyczka kulinarna. While Polish historically tended to use masculine job titles for both genders in formal writing, feminine noun forms for professions are very common and widely accepted today.

Do I always need a comma before aczkolwiek?