Fruity Pebbles cereal | Light grape syrup | Olive oil cake | Cheesecake | Musty Oak | Thin peanut butter chocolate | Funky

Old oak | Hint of dark berries | Brown sugar | Vanilla cream | Burnt pie crust

Aged oak | Old leather | Subtle rye spice | Burnt brown butter | Dash of berry | Dry

The Vaults is a limited edition released annually by Widow Jane Distillery. The company looked outside of the United States for finishing inspiration, and chose oak harvested from the ancient forests surrounding Amfilochia, a mountainous city on the Mediterranean coast of Greece. According to Widow Jane Vice President Michele Clark, “This year, we turned to mythological oak, a gift from one of the world’s most fertile and storied landscapes. Nurtured by the Mediterranean sun and sea, these ancient oaks embody the essence of their terroir. In choosing them, we sought not only to honor tradition but to forge new ground—creating a spirit of uncommon depth, layered with rare complexity, and worthy of its timeless origins.” The 2025 release totals 15,762 bottles.

‍Past editions of the Vaults have always produced an intriguing pour. Each year utilizes a different finishing aspect, which features its own unique twist on a higher-aged blended bourbon. The 2025 version is no different, utilizing oak barrels that most would not associate with American whiskey. The end result, though, may leave you scratching your head, particularly for the asking price.
The whiskey comes across as musty, which can be attributed in part to both its high age and secondary finishing. While Widow Jane doesn’t state how long the whiskey was finished, it’s clear that the secondary oak barrels used imparted their presence. The aroma it gives off is funky with a slew of unusual scents wafting out of the glass. The midpoint pulls forward an older flavor profile with old oak leading the way, which transitions into a finish focused on aged flavors that come across dry, along with a subtle hint of spice and sweetness. The 2025 edition of Widow Jane The Vaults will appeal to those who prefer a funky oak-influenced sip; however, for the asking price, others may want to try it at a bar before purchasing.

The whiskey in review is from batch #3 and is bottle #90.