Abstract: Pure C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkanols are prepared from crude water containing alcohols in a continuous distillation process which includes an extractive distillation zone into which water and crude alcohols are introduced and from which is removed an impurities stream and a dilute aqueous alcohol stream; an alcohol concentration zone into which is introduced a dilute alcohol stream from the extractive distillation zone from which is withdrawn pure concentrated alcohols, a low boiling impurities stream and a high boiling impurities stream; and an impurities concentration zone into which is introduced the impurities stream from the extractive distillation zone and the high and low boiling impurities streams from the alcohol concentration zone from which is withdrawn high and low boiling impurities and an alcohol containing stream which is recycled to the extractive distillation zone with the crude alcohols.