PURPOSE: To hydrogenate a carboxylic acid ester in a suitable manner for industrially and advantageously obtaining an alcohol, especially a higher alcohol in high yield and selectivity by bringing an organic carboxylic acid ester into contact with hydrogen in the liquid phase using a specific catalyst.

CONSTITUTION: (A) An organic carboxylic acid ester is brought into contact with (C) hydrogen in the liquid phase in the presence of (B) a cobalt-based catalyst of the formula Co(M)a(Sn)b(Ga)cOx (M is Ru, Rh, Pt or Pd; (a) is 0.01-1; (b) is 0.01-5; (c) is 0.001-1; (x) is a number satisfying the cationic charge of the catalyst) and hydrogenated. Furthermore, the hydrogenating reaction is preferably carried out at 130-350°C reactional temperature under 1-30MPa hydrogen pressure.