In short
Rum ether, or ethyl oxyhydrate, is a flavouring mixture made from pyroligneous acid and ethyl alcohol. It smells sharp and rum-like, burnt, woody and acidic.
What Rum Ether smells like
Perflavory quotes Gerard Mosciano's description: empyreumatic, acidic, woody and burnt, with meaty and whiskey notes. Supplier notes on the same page read simply rum, or whiskey and wine-like, and Parchem lists a sharp rum-like odour. It is described as a flavouring for rum notes in beverages and confectionery rather than as a perfumery material.
- Leading note
- Rum
- Clear facets
- Burnt
- Supporting facets
- Woody, acidic, whiskey
- Character
- Sharp, boozy
What makes Rum Ether distinctive
The smoky, acidic sharpness of a dark spirit rather than its sweetness.
How Rum Ether is used
Used for rum and boozy effects in gourmand and spirit accords; mainly a flavouring material for rum notes.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Rum Ether differs from similar materials
- Rhumacetal
- Rhumacetal is smoother, without harsh solvent notes, with tobacco and oak; rum ether is sharper, burnt and acidic.
- Rum CO2 Extract
- Rum CO2 extract is the whole natural rum, ending on scorched sugar; rum ether is the sharp, burnt top of a dark spirit.
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.
Formulation considerations
Primarily a flavouring material (FEMA 2996); few sources describe its use in perfume. Its composition varies with how it is made.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Semi-synthetic
- Odour family
- Gourmand / Woody
- Note position
- Top note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- Ethyl oxyhydrate
- CAS number
- 8030-89-5
The CAS number was checked on 25 October 2026 against a PubChem substance record that gives it for this material. Rum ether is the distilled reaction product of pyroligneous acid and ethyl alcohol, a complex volatile mixture; PubChem records it as a substance rather than as one molecule. So no single formula, molecular weight or structure drawing is given.
Safety and compliance
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
-
Cognac Oil (Green)
Essential oil · Fruity / Green — winey, fruity, oily, cognac
-
Vanillin
Aroma chemical · Gourmand / Amber — vanilla, sweet, creamy
-
Whisky Lactone
Aroma chemical · Woody / Gourmand — oak, coconut, woody, sweet
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 5 published formulas
Rum Ether is an ingredient in 3 perfume formulas and 2 accords in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Rum Ether
Is Rum Ether natural or synthetic?
Rum Ether is semi-synthetic: it is made by chemically modifying a natural raw material.
What is the CAS number of Rum Ether?
8030-89-5, the registry number for the aroma chemical as a substance rather than a single molecule. It was checked against PubChem on 25 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Rum Ether?
Rum Ether is used in 5 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Apple Cellar, Dark Rum Cabinet and Mezcal Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — substance 488419184, checked 25 October 2026.
- Perflavory — rum ether — odour database.
- Parchem — rum ether — 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.