Phenethyl alcohol is an aromatic chemical, usually appearing as a clear oily liquid with a sweet rose scent. It can be synthesized for industry through the use of yeast strains or by reacting benzene and ethylene oxide with a catalyst. Phenethyl alcohol is naturally present in grapes and wines, and is also found in the essential oils of many plants such as ylang ylang, hyacinth and carnation. It is the dominant odour in fresh roses such as Rosa multiflora, however is mostly lost during essential oil production as it separates, with only a fraction remaining in rose oil.

Phenethyl alcohol is used as a preservative ingredient in some soaps, and is also used in cosmetics, personal care products and food production for creating floral-rose fragrances and flavours.

Other names: C₈H₁₀O, Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol, 2-Phenylethanol, (2-Hydroxyethyl)benzene, Benzyl Carbinol, Benzeneethanol, 2-Phenylethan-1-ol