Hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde over a 5% Ru-5% Sn/SiO2 sol-gel catalyst was investigated in a stirred batch reactor. A combined experimental/theoretical approach was used to elucidate the impact of gas/liquid, liquid/solid, and pore diffusion. To determine the kinetic region area, the catalytic performance at different reaction conditions was evaluated. The complex evaluation presented comprises all important factors such as catalyst mass, stirring speed, liquid load, catalyst particle size, etc., that might contribute to mass-transfer limitations. Theoretical calculations were confirmed by experimental results showing its applicability.