Odour strength
Medium
(recommend smelling in a 10% solution or less)
Listed qualitative strength
SALE
Whiskey Lactone
Price range: £10.19 through £637.49
Odour description (decreasing) Tonka, Warm, Maple, Coumarin, Coconut, Toasted, Nutty, Celery with Whiskey-Like Nuances
About this material
Whiskey Lactone (also known as Oak Lactone) is a naturally occurring organic compound that plays a big role in the flavour and aroma of whiskey and other oak-aged spirits.
It’s a type of lactone, specifically an 8-carbon ring with a methyl group attached.
It has two main isomers: cis and trans forms, with the cis form being more important for flavour.
Whiskey Lactone is known for imparting rich, distinctive notes described as coconut-like, woody, sweet, toasted, and oak-like.
It’s used to give perfumes a woody, creamy, boozy, or rustic character. You’ll find it often in compositions trying to mimic aged spirits, barrels, tropical woods, or “vintage” atmospheres.
It’s often associated with the signature smell of aged whiskey and comes primarily from oak wood (especially American oak, Quercus alba). During the aging of whiskey in oak barrels, the lactone is extracted into the spirit.
American oak tends to have higher concentrations of Whiskey Lactone compared to European oak, making American oak-aged spirits noticeably richer in these coconut and vanilla-like notes.
Researchers in France investigating the elusive chemical “je ne sais quoi” that sets apple, grape, and plum brandies apart have discovered that the key lies in the relative concentrations of fruit-derived volatile compounds (J. Agric. Food Chem., DOI: 10.1021/jf9045667). Led by Jérôme Ledauphin at the University of Caen, the team used GCMS to analyze the volatile profiles of Calvados (apple), Mirabelle (plum), Cognac (grape), and Armagnac (grape) brandies. Although many of the more than 200 compounds they identified were common across the samples, each brandy exhibited a distinct balance of these compounds. For instance, apple-based Calvados showed elevated levels of methyl-branched esters like ethyl 2-methylbutanoate. In contrast, Mirabelle, made from plums, was distinguished by higher concentrations of aldehydes such as hexanal, heptanal, and nonanal, which impart “vegetal and green aromatic notes,” according to Ledauphin. The characteristic zest of grape-based brandies like Cognac and Armagnac stems from whiskey lactones, compounds associated with coconut-like aromas.
In short, Whiskey Lactone is a key molecule behind the familiar, warm, oak-aged aroma and taste in many spirits, especially brandies, bourbon and other whiskeys.
Scent character
Highlights from the material’s listed odour profile.
TonkaListed odour facet
WarmListed odour facet
MapleListed odour facet
Note position
Base note
TopOpening impression
HeartMain fragrance character
BaseLasting foundation
Material character
A closer lookTenacity / substantivity
59 hour(s)
at 100%
Listed reference conditions
Fragrance development
TopHeartBase
Base note
Illustrative note development · no measured evaporation data
Recorded identity reference
Molecular referenceMolecular identity
C9H16O2
- Molecular weight
- 156.22 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 5-butyl-4-methyloxolan-2-one
More compound properties
Computed and structural reference properties for the named compound. These are not measured supplier specifications or properties of a complete dilution, mixture or batch.
- XLogP (computed)
- 2.5
- Exact mass (Da)
- 156.115029749
- Monoisotopic mass (Da)
- 156.115029749
- Topological polar surface area (Ų)
- 26.3
- Complexity
- 142
- Formal charge
- 0
- Hydrogen bond donors
- 0
- Hydrogen bond acceptors
- 2
- Rotatable bonds
- 3
- Heavy atoms
- 11
- Isotope atoms
- 0
- Atom stereocentres
- 2
- Bond stereocentres
- 0
- Covalent units
- 1
- SMILES
- CCCCC1C(CC(=O)O1)C
- InChI
- InChI=1S/C9H16O2/c1-3-4-5-8-7(2)6-9(10)11-8/h7-8H,3-6H2,1-2H3
- InChIKey
- WNVCMFHPRIBNCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Reference data checked 2026-10-27.
This molecular reference matches the catalogue’s recorded CAS and formula. It does not confirm the supplied grade, purity, stereochemistry, isomer proportions, composition, impurities or unlisted constituents.
Fragrance allergen reference
Generic regulatory reference only. This is not a supplier allergen declaration, measured composition, allergen-free claim or finished-product labelling assessment.
Raw-material reference based on recorded CAS numbers. A CAS match identifies a reference entry; it does not verify the supplied grade, composition, purity or finished-product compliance. Naturals, bases and mixtures require composition review.
European Union / Northern Ireland
No direct listed-entry CAS match in this jurisdiction’s held reference set. This does not mean the material is allergen-free. Constituents, grouped entries and natural-material composition may require further review.
Finished-cosmetic declaration thresholds: greater than 0.001% leave-on; greater than 0.01% rinse-off. Apply the current target-market rules to the actual complete formulation; no concentration is inferred here.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 · Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 with 11 November 2025 corrigendum; checked 2026-10-26.
Held EU transition dates: placing noncompliant products on the market until 2026-07-31; making them available until 2028-07-31. Check applicability and current law for the intended market. 2025 corrigendum.
Great Britain
No direct listed-entry CAS match in this jurisdiction’s held reference set. This does not mean the material is allergen-free. Constituents, grouped entries and natural-material composition may require further review.
Finished-cosmetic declaration thresholds: greater than 0.001% leave-on; greater than 0.01% rinse-off. Apply the current target-market rules to the actual complete formulation; no concentration is inferred here.
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III (Great Britain) · legislation.gov.uk current text checked 2026-10-26.
Current supplier composition or allergen declarations are required to assess naturals, bases, mixtures and actual concentrations. Reference data checked 2026-10-26; bundle 2026-10-27. Supplementary private documents remain separate.
Product specification
Physical stateLiquidReviewed product form
| CAS number | 39212-23-2 |
|---|---|
| Odour description (decreasing) | Tonka, Warm, Maple, Coumarin, Coconut, Toasted, Nutty, Celery with Whiskey-Like Nuances |
| Odour strength | Medium (recommend smelling in a 10% solution or less) |
| Perfumery use | Effective from the smallest traces up to 10%Listed perfumery guidance; this is not an IFRA limit. |
| Substantivity | 59 hour(s) at 100% |
| Solvent | None |
| Physical state | Liquid |
| Synonyms | 4-Hydroxy-3-Methyloctanoic Acid Gamma-Lactone, Oak Lactone, Methyl Octalactone, β-methyl-γ-Octalactone |
| Recorded name / preparation | 5-Butyl-4-Methyloxolan-2-One |
| Molecular formula | C₉H₁₆O₂ |
Safety & handling
Listed handling information
Not Hazardous According To EC 1272/2008
Professional/Industrial use only.
Datasheets & customer documents
Available documents are attached to eligible completed orders in your account.
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Supplementary documents are supplied only where explicitly listed and available. Check documentation information
Purchased as a guest? Follow the SDS request guidance in our Documentation Supply Policy and provide proof of purchase.
Documentation Supply PolicyIFRA formulation guide
Generic reference only — not an IFRA certificate, compliance decision or use recommendation. The Responsible Person and qualified safety assessor must assess the actual finished formula using current applicable IFRA Standards, supplementary documentation where available and the CPSR.
Raw-material reference based on recorded CAS numbers. A CAS match identifies a reference entry; it does not verify the supplied grade, composition, purity or finished-product compliance. Naturals, bases and mixtures require composition review.
Source: 51st Amendment overview, held source checked 2026-10-21. Bundle 2026-10-27. Individual Standards prevail over the overview.
No direct IFRA overview entry matched the recorded CAS in this held dataset. This does not mean unrestricted use, absence of relevant Standards or compliance. Constituent restrictions may still apply.
IFRA source overview · Individual IFRA Standards and supplementary documentation
Supplier certificates and private documents are separate evidence. Their availability does not determine whether this generic guide is shown. This is a dated local reference, not a live regulatory feed.
Creative ideas to explore
Creative directions, not tested formulas.
Fruit with its peel
With citrus and leafy contrastsExplore a fruit sketch that includes a suggestion of peel or leaf. Compare those accents separately against the fruity reference, noticing whether they create a fresher impression or pull the idea away from the fruit you imagined.
An orchard in bloom
With rose or another familiar flowerPlace the fruity direction beside a simple floral accord. Keep a flower-only comparison and assess whether the fruit reads as a supporting accent, a juicy centre or a separate note that needs a different setting.
Fruit and cream
With vanilla and soft wood directionsSketch a more rounded fruit idea with vanilla as one variation and soft wood as another. Compare sweetness and texture before combining both, leaving room for the original fruity character to remain identifiable in the study.
| Volume | 5ml, 10ml, 30ml, 100ml, 250g, 500g, 1kg |
|---|
Dilution Information
MaterialFragrance ingredient
Carrier / solventAs specified for the product
Supplied dilutionCheck the ratio and carrier
Concept illustration only; no dilution ratio or carrier is implied for this material. Refer to the product specification and label.
The suffix D forms part of the product name and indicates that the material is supplied as a dilution rather than at full strength.
POD = Precious Oil Dilution, typically intended for aromatherapy applications.
AOD = Absolute Oil Dilution, indicating that the product is supplied as a diluted absolute.
The dilution ratio and carrier/solvent are stated within the product specification and will also be shown on the product label.
IMPORTANT: Customers should always rely on the product specification when confirming the concentration and carrier/solvent supplied.
While we endeavour to ensure that product names and suffixes accurately reflect the material supplied, the product specification (including the stated dilution ratio and carrier/solvent) shall take precedence in the event of any omission, abbreviation, naming variation, or delayed update to a product title.
Please ensure you have selected the correct material, concentration, dilution ratio and carrier/solvent before completing your purchase.
3 reviews for Whiskey Lactone
Handling precautions
For professional perfumery use only. Not for direct application to skin or ingestion. Keep out of reach of children.
Handle using the precautions specified for the material. Wear suitable protective gloves and eye protection where required.
Keep away from sources of ignition where applicable and avoid release to the environment.
Keep containers securely closed and store under the conditions specified on the product label and SDS. Keep liquid containers upright.
If swallowed or otherwise exposed, follow the SDS first-aid instructions and seek medical advice as appropriate. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a medical professional.
Product-specific warnings, handling precautions and storage requirements take precedence over this general information.
Read the applicable SDS
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is available to logged in users who have purchased this item, where applicable.
Documents are not supplied before purchase.
Read the applicable SDS before handling or using the material. Follow its instructions for hazards, protective equipment, first aid, handling, storage and disposal.
An SDS provides information about the material supplied; it does not replace an assessment of the safety or compliance of a finished formulation.
Please note that supplementary documentation—including, but not limited to, IFRA Certificates, Certificates of Analysis (CoA), Allergen Declarations, and other regulatory or compositional data—may not be available for all products. Refer to the "Supplementary Documentation" tab to check current availability. If the tab is not present, no supplementary documents are available for the material.
Customers intending to use materials in cosmetic applications, including for the preparation of a Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) under UK and EU Cosmetics Regulations, must contact us prior to purchase to confirm the availability and suitability of any required documentation where it is not explicitly stated. Orders must not be placed in reliance on the assumption that such documentation will be provided where it is not explicitly stated on the relevant product page at the time of purchase.
By proceeding with a purchase without prior written confirmation, you acknowledge and accept that documentation beyond the legally required SDS may not be supplied, and you agree that Perfume Extract shall not be held liable for the absence of such documentation or for any inability to complete regulatory requirements, including CPSR or product compliance obligations.
Products are supplied in accordance with our Documentation Supply Policy
Customer responsibility
These limitations apply to reliance on all documentation supplied, including IFRA information, allergen declarations, Certificates of Analysis (CoAs), technical data sheets, specifications and other supporting documents.
Perfume Extract is solely a reseller of this product and is not an agent, official distributor, or affiliated in any way with the manufacturer.
Customers are responsible for determining whether the material and available documentation meet their requirements before purchase, and for assessing the safety and compliance of their finished products.
We do not provide formulation instructions, formulation consultancy or confirmation of suitability at a particular concentration or for a particular application.
Producer identity, detailed sourcing and processing information are not disclosed beyond the information published in the product listing.
Please read our Documentation Supply Policy alongside the product specification and available documentation.
Synonyms, alternative names, CAS/EC references, botanical names, manufacturer references and external links may describe a substance or material family generally. They should not, on their own, be taken as confirmation of the supplied material’s producer, geographical origin, manufacturing process, grade, purity, constituent levels or batch characteristics.
In particular, a synonym or reference must not be used to infer that a material is free from a particular constituent, meets a numerical specification, or is suitable for a particular application or concentration.
IFRA information, allergen declarations, Certificates of Analysis (CoAs), technical data sheets and other supporting documents apply only within their expressly stated scope. A general specification or reference document is not a batch-specific analytical result unless it expressly identifies the relevant batch.
If information appears inconsistent, or a particular characteristic is essential to your purchase, contact us for written clarification before ordering. Do not resolve discrepancies by assuming that a synonym, external reference or document for another grade applies to the material supplied.
We do not confirm characteristics beyond those expressly supported by the applicable product specification or our written confirmation. Customers remain responsible for assessing their complete formulation and intended application.
Nothing in this information excludes or restricts liability or statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.
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Luiza Every (verified owner) –
Lovely product
RJR (verified owner) –
**Further to my review above**
After testing this some more, I’m starting to get the nutty, creamy textures coming through and really like it. As always you can’t go wrong with perfume extract products, great products at great prices and always quick to ship stuff out.
rjrmagic (verified owner) –
The first thought that came to mind when I smelt this was an old dusty book. I’m not getting whiskey from it but that could just be my nose? Definitely get celery from it.