the present invention is related to substituted butanol derivatives of the formula : wherein r is an unsubstituted or substituted c 1 - 6 straight chain alkyl , an unsubstituted or substituted c 3 - 6 branched chain alkyl , an unsubstituted or substituted c 3 - 6 straight chain alkenyl , an unsubstituted or substituted c 3 - 6 branched chain alkenyl , an unsubstituted or substituted c 3 - 6 cycloalkyl , an unsubstituted or substituted c 1 - 6 alkoxy , nitrile , halo , amino , an unsubstituted or substituted c 1 - 6 alkylamino , an unsubstituted or substituted c 1 - 6 dialkylamino , carboxy - c 1 - 6 alkylamino , carboxy - c 1 - 6 dialkylamino , an unsubstituted or substituted acetoxy , carboxy , an unsubstituted or substituted carboxyethyl , an unsubstituted or substituted c 1 - 6 alkylcarbonyl , an unsubstituted or substituted c 1 - 6 alkylcarboxy , an unsubstituted or substituted c 1 - 6 alkylthio , an unsubstituted or substituted c 1 - 6 alkyloxy , carboxamido , an unsubstituted or substituted c 1 - 6 alkylcarboxamido or an unsubstituted or substituted c 1 - 6 dialkylcarboxamido . such compounds are useful in flavor or flavor compositions .