The present invention provides a process for preparing an unsaturated alcohol of the formula (I), wherein one of R1 and R2 is preferably C2-C10-alkyl or C2-C10-alkenyl containing one double bond and the other one is preferably hydrogen or methyl; R3 is preferably hydrogen; which comprises subjecting an educt composition including at least 75% by weight of an unsaturated aldehyde of the formula (II) wherein R1, R2 and R3 preferably have the above defined meanings, to a hydrogenation in the presence of a catalyst and a tertiary amine; wherein the tertiary amine is used in an amount ranging from 0.001 to 0.7% by weight, based on the total amount of the liquid reaction mixture. The invention further relates to the nerol compound obtainable by the inventive process, to a fragrance or aroma substance composition comprising the nerol compound obtainable by the inventive process, to a method for imparting and/or intensifying an odor or flavor of a product, and also to perfumed or aromatized products comprising a nerol compound obtainable by the inventive process.