A method for preparing a mixture of lower aliphatic alcohols from the reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a zeolite-containing heavy metal catalyst under carbon monoxide-hydrogenation conditions in which said catalysts comprises a zeolite support, at least one heavy metal oxide selected from the group of oxides consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, optionally, a heavy metal oxide from the group of elements consisting of cobalt, iron and nickel and an alkali or alkaline earth promoter which has been treated with a nitrogen-containing compound, or a thermally stable derivative thereof is provided. A method for preparing zeolite-containing catalysts by treating with volatile metal complexes at high pressure is also provided.