To obtain an alcohol useful as a raw material for medicines, perfume, intermediate, solvent, etc., in a high yield and selectivity under mild conditions, by hydrogenating reduction of a carboxylic acid in an ester-based solvent in the presence of a specific catalyst.

This alcohol is obtained by hydrogenating reduction of a carboxylic acid (e.g. acetic acid, propionic acid, acrylic acid, butyric acid) in an eater-based solvent (e.g. ethyl formate, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, propyl acetate) at 100-200°C under a hydrogen pressure of 20-120 kg/cm2G for 2-20 h in the presence of pref. 0.1-3 mol.%, based on the carboxylic acid, of a catalyst composed of at least one element selected from group VIII elements (e.g. rhodium, ruthenium, palladium) and at least one element selected from group VIb elements (e.g. molybdenum, tungsten) and group VIIb elements (e.g. rhenium).