In short
Maltol is a naturally occurring compound with a sweet, caramel and cooked-fruit smell. It is less powerful than ethyl maltol.
What Maltol smells like
Maltol has a warm, caramel and burnt-sugar odour reminiscent of toffee and freshly baked pastry, which glossaries also describe as toasted bread crust. Beside ethyl maltol it is less potent, drier and more restrained. It forms when sugars are heated and occurs in larch bark, pine needles and roasted malt.
- Leading note
- Toasted caramel
- Clear facets
- Bread crust
- Supporting facets
- Burnt sugar
- Faint facets
- Cooked fruit
- Character
- Warm, dry, sweet
What makes Maltol distinctive
Caramel with a baked crust: drier, breadier and quieter than the candyfloss ethyl maltol.
How Maltol is used
Used for bakery, caramel and toasted notes in gourmand compositions and in flavours.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Maltol differs from similar materials
- Ethyl Maltol
- Ethyl maltol is several times stronger and sweeter, spun sugar; maltol is drier, more restrained toasted bread crust. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Cyclotene
- Cyclotene is more specifically maple, with a nutty side; maltol is toasted caramel and bread crust.
- Maltyl Isobutyrate
- Maltyl isobutyrate, its ester, adds a fruity, jammy strawberry side to the caramel.
An asterisk marks a difference that a cited source states directly. The others compare the published descriptions of each material. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.
Formulation considerations
A solid; dissolve before use.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Gourmand / Fruity
- Note position
- Heart to base note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Solid
- CAS number
- 118-71-8
- Molecular formula
- C6H6O3
- Molecular weight
- 126.11 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 3-hydroxy-2-methylpyran-4-one
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 8369, whose own record lists this CAS number; checked 19 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 (1,955 reports): H302 harmful if swallowed (84.5% of reports). 303 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 Maltol
Aroma chemical · Gourmand / Fruity — candyfloss, caramel, sweet, jammy
-
Furaneol
Aroma chemical · Gourmand / Fruity — strawberry, caramel, jammy, sweet
-
Vanillin
Aroma chemical · Gourmand / Amber — vanilla, sweet, creamy
Maltol is also suggested as a partner on the pages for 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, 5-Methylfurfural, Ethyl Cyclopentenolone, gamma-Heptalactone, Homofuraneol and Maltyl Isobutyrate.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 11 published formulas
Maltol is an ingredient in 5 perfume formulas, 5 accords and 1 base in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Maltol
Is Maltol natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Maltol 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 Maltol?
118-71-8. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Maltol?
Maltol is used in 11 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Açaí Accord, Fig Jam Brioche and Ginger Biscuit Tin. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 8369, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- Premiere Peau — Maltol — published perfumery reference.
- Scentspiracy — Ethyl maltol vs maltol — distributor's description.
- Wikipedia — Maltol — published perfumery reference.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 24 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.