A process is disclosed for the production of aliphatic alcohol by the direct hydration of an olefinic hydrocarbon. The process is directed to the production of isopropyl alcohol. The process includes the recovery of the alcohol from a water-rich hydration zone effluent stream by countercurrent liquid-liquid extraction against a paraffinic solvent. The solvent is derived from paraffins originally admixed with the olefin-containing feed stream, and the raffinate stream comprises water which is recycled in the process. Expensive product fractionation is eliminated in the production of a fuel grade isopropyl alcohol.