‘Tis the season for rare bourbon to start hitting the shelves in North Carolina ABC stores. The distribution of allocated whiskey in NC is done mostly at the board level. As we understand it here, the cases come in to the state warehouse as a single allocation for the entire state. Then the state divvys it up amongst the boards to distribute as they see fit.
Some boards choose to release these whiskeys by putting them up the shelf. Still others “reserve” them for regular customers or those on a list. Quite often, though, ABC boards will host allocated bourbon lotteries. Entries can be online or in person, depending on the board.
So which North Carolina ABC boards are hosting lotteries this year? Here’s what we know so far:
2024 Wake County ABC Bourbon Lottery
Wake County, serving Raleigh, Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Fuquay Varina, and others, is once again holding their allocated spirits lottery online at wakeabc.com. The “Holiday Lottery” has become an annual event. In 2024, entries are officially open through December 9th to Wake County residents or those who live in “adjoining communities”. That phrase is a little vague, but cities like Greensboro, Wilmington, and Charlotte are directly excluded by name, so Durham/Chapel Hill residents may still qualify.
Products included in the 2024 Wake County Bourbon Lottery include various expressions of E.H. Taylor, The 2024 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, five different Van Winkles, and more Wellers (amonth plenty of others).
Durham ABC Lottery
This year, it seems like Durham will not be holding a lottery, though we can’t confirm this for sure. Recently, Durham has taken the approach of “drops” where they release several allocated bourbons at one of there stores, and announce to the public the location at the same time. There is some indication that the Durham ABC “Dropzone” will replace lotteries. We’ll update this page if we learn something different.
Charlotte/Mecklenburg County ABC Lotteries
Charlotte also does periodic bourbon lotteries, usually around the holidays, through the Mecklenburg ABC Board. These lotteries include the typical rare bourbon releases you’d expect each year. It doesn’t look like the 2024 Bourbon Lottery has been announced yet, but you can get on the Meck ABC mailing list by visiting the website.
Couldn’t Win The Lottery? Here’s Where These Show Up Online
NC lottery odds are what they are — a couple hundred bottles against a few thousand entries. If your name doesn’t come out, most of these labels are still sold online year-round, just at a good bit over the ABC shelf price. That’s the trade you’re making: you pay for availability instead of waiting on luck.
The three that show up in almost every NC lottery are worth a look on their own: Blanton’s, W.L. Weller, and Colonel E.H. Taylor. Those are affiliate links, so we earn a cut if you buy. Stock on the allocated stuff comes and goes, so an empty page today doesn’t mean much next week.
Nothing there? The full ReserveBar bourbon list is deeper than what we’ve pulled here, and it’s a reasonable place to spend the money you didn’t spend on a lottery bottle.
Louisburg ABC is hosting a lottery in December. https://www.louisburg-abc.org/lottery
Entry Period: Each individual is allowed one entry and must register in person at the Louisburg ABC store with a valid North Carolina ID. Registration period: December 9th to the 14th, 2024.
Drawing Day: The drawing will be held on December 16th at 9:30am on Facebook LIVE on the Louisburg ABC Facebook page.
What bottles are in the lottery?
A list will be made available at the Louisburg ABC store on December 9th.
* The list will not be posted on our website or social media pages.
How does the lottery work?
We will randomly select a ticket along with a random bottle, giving you the opportunity to purchase that bottle. A listing of ticket numbers and the selected bottles will be listed on Louisburg-abc.org and on our Facebook page after the lottery has taken place.
If you are a winner, when can you pick up your bottle?
You will receive a call informing you about the bottle you won. Bottle pickups will be available for winners starting at the store opening on December 16th. Please remember to bring your valid ID and winning ticket. Winners have until 8pm on Saturday, December 21st to claim their bottle.
* Any bottle not picked up by closing on December 21st will be put out for sale on December 23rd.