The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Blend No.83 emerged in 2023 from the mind of Josh Meyer, the founder‑perfumer of Imaginary Authors. The house, known for treating each scent like a short story, partnered with Absolut Vodka and Kahlúa to capture the spirit of an espresso‑martini night. Meyer aimed to translate that cocktail energy into a gourmand perfume that reads like a late‑hour chapter, balancing boozy brightness with deep, comforting warmth.
The formula’s backbone, rum and sugarcane, creates a bright, sugary opening that mirrors the fizz of a mixed drink. Dark chocolate and coffee follow, giving the heart a rich, espresso‑martini depth that feels both indulgent and energizing. Benzoin and musk anchor the drydown, providing an amber‑resinous veil that lingers like the after‑glow of a nightcap, making the scent a narrative of sweet‑spicy decadence.
The evolution
At first contact, the fragrance erupts with a boozy splash of rum and the crisp, vegetal sweetness of sugarcane, instantly evoking a freshly poured cocktail that feels warm against the skin. After about ten minutes, the initial buzz recedes, unveiling a dense heart where dark chocolate meets freshly brewed coffee, forming an espresso‑martini cloud that sits close to the pulse points, inviting a second sip. By the half‑hour mark, the composition settles into a comforting base: benzoin offers an amber‑rich, resinous veil while musk adds a soft, animalic‑leaning smoothness. The finish is warm and slightly powdery, lingering like the after‑glow of a nightcap and staying present on the skin for eight to ten hours, making it a steadfast companion through an evening out.
Cultural impact
Since its 2023 release, Blend No.83 has sparked conversation among niche collectors for its unapologetically sweet‑spicy profile. The espresso‑martini inspiration resonates with bar‑hopping crowds, while the rum‑sugarcane opening divides those who crave gourmand boldness from purists preferring cleaner compositions. Its limited‑edition status adds a collector’s allure, making it a frequent topic on fragrance forums and a go‑to recommendation for night‑out wardrobes.
The House
Imaginary AuthorsImaginary Authors is a Portland‑based niche fragrance house that frames scent as a narrative medium. Founded in 2012, the label releases limited‑edition perfumes, scented soaps and hand‑poured soy wax candles that reference literary forms such as memoirs, mosaics and secret journals. Each launch arrives with a story‑driven name and a modest glass bottle that lets the fragrance speak for itself. The brand’s catalogue spans more than a decade, from the debut Memoirs Of A Trespasser (2012) to the recent First Peach of the Season (2026), offering collectors a curated library of olfactory chapters.
The Creator
Josh MeyerJosh Meyer favors a narrative‑first approach, building a fragrance around a plot before selecting ingredients. He reaches for vintage materials such as Turkish rose, Haitian vetiver, and Madagascan vanilla, then mixes them with modern synthetics that add depth without overpowe…
