In short
Ethyl heptanoate is a fruity ester found in wine and spirits. JECFA describes a wine, brandy-like odour.
What Ethyl Heptanoate smells like
JECFA, as published by PubChem, describes ethyl heptanoate as a colourless liquid with a wine, brandy-like odour. PubChem links it to natural-product and yeast-metabolome databases. Fraterworks says it smells unmistakably of cognac: a strong, diffusive, ethereal fruity ester with a fermented cognac-and-wine character and pineapple, apple and berry notes.
- Leading note
- Brandy
- Clear facets
- Wine
- Character
- Boozy
What makes Ethyl Heptanoate distinctive
A fruity ester that reads as wine and brandy.
How Ethyl Heptanoate is used
Fraterworks uses it to build cognac, wine and brandy accords in fruity and gourmand compositions, and suggests a cognac chypre with oakmoss and labdanum.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Ethyl Heptanoate differs from similar materials
- Ethyl Hexanoate
- Ethyl hexanoate is pineapple and green apple; ethyl heptanoate, one carbon longer, is described as wine and brandy.
Each difference compares the published descriptions of the two materials. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Fruity
- Note position
- Top note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- Ethyl heptoate, Ethyl oenanthate
- CAS number
- 106-30-9
- Molecular formula
- C9H18O2
- Molecular weight
- 158.24 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- ethyl heptanoate
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 7797, whose own record lists this CAS number; checked 24 October 2026.
Safety and compliance
Hazard classification of the neat substance, as PubChem summarises it, read 26 October 2026. Companies notifying the ECHA C&L Inventory classify it (1,671 reports): H226 flammable liquid and vapor (72.5% of reports). 417 of the reports find it does not meet the hazard criteria. Unless it is harmonised, this is the notifiers' own classification, not a binding one.
This page is general information, not a safety assessment or a specification. Confirm identity, composition, IFRA status and allergen content from your supplier's documents for the lot you hold.
Materials it works with
-
Ethyl Hexanoate
Aroma chemical · Fruity — fruity, pineapple, banana, winey
-
Cognac Oil (Green)
Essential oil · Fruity / Green — winey, fruity, oily, cognac
-
Ethyl Butyrate
Aroma chemical · Fruity / Gourmand — pineapple, fruity, sweet
Ethyl Heptanoate is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Cognac Oil (White).
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 3 published formulas
Ethyl Heptanoate is an ingredient in 2 perfume formulas and 1 accord in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Ethyl Heptanoate
Is Ethyl Heptanoate natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Ethyl Heptanoate may be made by synthesis or obtained from natural sources, so check the supplier's specification if the distinction matters to you.
What is the CAS number of Ethyl Heptanoate?
106-30-9. It was checked against PubChem on 24 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Ethyl Heptanoate?
Ethyl Heptanoate is used in 3 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library: Apple Cellar, Champagne Static and Cherry Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 7797, checked 24 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- PubChem — Ethyl heptanoate (CID 7797): JECFA organoleptic description — odour database.
- Fraterworks — Ethyl Heptanoate — distributor's description.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 26 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.