Disclosed is a process for the production of higher aldehydes from lower alcohols using a two-stage vapor phase heterogeneous catalyst system. Ethanol feeds afford aldehydes such as butyraldehyde and crotonaldehyde while butanol feeds yield 2-ethylhexanal and 2-ethylhexenal. Higher product selectivities are obtained when the alcohol is first dehydrogenated in the upper catalyst stage followed by aldol condensation of the resulting lower aldehyde to a higher aldehyde.