Cereus pour Homme No. 4 (2007)
by Cereus

Opens up with green apple and citrus with the papyrus in the background. This is the good as it lasts 30 minutes with projection being average. After the 30 minute mark it's very very close to the skin and even at that it only lasts 3 hours and that's being generous. I thought Happy was the benchmark for bad longevity, but Cereus No.4 is the new champion. Projection wise it's in the same league as Mugler's Cologne. Hands down the worst niche fragrance and most designer fragrances beat this easily in quality. Absolutely horrible fragrance for the price.

18th August, 2011. (Last Edited: 24th August, 2011.)

Like many in Cereus' line, this is a well-blended, higher quality and longer lasting version of several popular designer scents.

Those who compare this to D&G Light Blue pour femme are not far off, it shares the same impression in it's long lasting bergamot/citrus/apple/water lily/muguet accords. And although it does have both fruity and floral notes, they are tamped down when compared to Light Blue. It is also noticeably less sharp/shrill than the D&G.

It is also more natural in it's green apple note. I am sure there is an ample amount of the usual synthetic "green apple" note used in vitamin waters and chewing gum, but it is rendered in such a way that upon close sniffs, or on the flipside, upon very heavy application, the "green apple zest", literally smells quite like the skin of granny smith apples, very vegetal and waxy in texture.

And despite being a fruity scent, the sweetness is neutralized very well by a long-lasting sour lemon/citron accord, and the dryness of the papyrus/cypriol. While this dryness is detectable, it is not too dry or heavy like some cedar accords, it is instead a light and tasteful masculine dryness, fitting for this scent.

As the scent evolves further, the citrus burns off, and the apple note becomes less fleshy still, and more leafy/waxy, the papyrus moves in to make things drier, and a light spiciness comes in, presumably cardamom and maybe just a little nutmeg.

Once the apple and spice are absent entrely, the papyrus is then balanced by a light pleasant lilac/floral quality.

Prior to testing this, when seeing papyrus listed, I was expecting either an overly "sueded" base, like in Cereus #14, or overly mineralic, like Cereus TDH-cousin #5. Seeing apple listed, I was expecting an overly sweet fruity core, like in the Kenneth Cole or Donna Karans, but got a nice surprise when I found a tasteful and discreet scent.

My favorite of the Cereus line so far, only one left to try is #7.

30th March, 2010.

Juicy vetiver and woods.The overall fragrance is aromatic apples with a well rounded vetiver and cedarwoods base. Almost generic but it feels much more fuller than designer offerings. I like.

13rd January, 2010.

What a 180 on this for me. I initially dismissed it as just a generic scent that I wouldn't get into. I decided to give it another chance after Chandler Burr's glowing remarks. It really is quite good! The drydown is a magnificent sparkling vetiver that I really didn't expect and what seems like hints of incense. I recommend this one.

16th November, 2008.

No.4 is a light, efferescent, frsh out of the shower kinds Fruity frgrance. it has one the best, subtle citrus opening notes with apple flesh notes. doesnt smell all tht remarkable in the sense it's light..and not so "niche" but, leave the money out of the equation then it wont fail. Unmistakably, a great frgrance for office and for someone who is looking for the out of the shower kinds without any complications whatsosever. Test before you buy (only coz of the price, this one smells really good.)

16th September, 2008.

Cereus 4 notes: citrus, green apple, papyrus
The opening is crisp, with lemon and Granny Smith apple notes. Then I find a very light papery-brown note that is “papyrus.” The scent is quite simple, with little depth. It is not irritating but it certainly is not compelling. And certainly not worth the niche price! IMO a more successful scent of this type is Hermes Jardin sur le Nil.

2nd September, 2008.