Menthyl isovalerate has an odor similar to both menthol and isovaleric acid, sweet and herbaceous, somewhat balsamic or root-like.
It has a bitter, wood-like taste. Prepared by heating a mixture of
ι-menthol and isovaleric acid at 100 - 110°C in the presence of
trace concentrated H2SO4 or at 100°C in the presence of HCL.