A process for selectively recovering a phenolic compound from feedstock comprising bio-crude and/or bio-oil is described. The recovery efficiency of the selected phenolic compound is greater than 70 wt % and the purity of the recovered selected phenolic compound is higher than 80 wt %. The process comprises distilling the feedstock to isolate the selected phenolic compound in a first distillate fraction comprising the selected phenolic compound, concentrating the selected phenolic compound from the first distillate fraction in a concentrated mixture, and purifying the concentrated mixture to recover the selected phenolic compound.