Quick Links – Online Retailers That Ship to NC – Whiskey Subscriptions – Hard-to-Find Whiskeys Available Online – Beer and Wine – Not from NC? – Alternatives to Ordering Online
When you’re hunting for a bottle that NC ABC never stocks, it’s tempting to pull out the credit card and just order online. I get it. The problem is that North Carolina makes this harder than it should be. Full transparency: online ordering in NC is not a great experience. Prices are marked up, some retailers are unreliable, and the legal situation is genuinely murky.
That said, there are a few options that actually work. This guide covers what’s still operating as of 2026, what’s gone, and what to realistically expect.
Disclosure: some links below are affiliate links. They help keep the site running. I only list retailers I have reason to believe still ship to NC.
The Legal Situation
North Carolina is an ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) state. The state controls the wholesale and retail sale of distilled spirits. Under NC General Statute 18B-102.1, direct shipment of spirits into NC from out-of-state retailers is technically prohibited.
What does that mean in practice? Online retailers that ship spirits to NC are operating in a legal gray area. They take on some of that risk, but not all of it. As I’ve said on this site before: if they do ship to you, they will pass any remaining risk onto you as the buyer. No retailer is going to go to bat for your bourbon order if there’s a problem.
One thing worth clarifying: NC did pass legislation allowing NC-based distilleries to ship directly to consumers in other states. That does not help you as an NC buyer trying to order from an out-of-state retailer. Those are different laws covering different directions of commerce.
Go in with realistic expectations. If you want rare bottles at fair prices, your best options are still inside the state. But if you’ve exhausted local options, here’s what’s working right now.
Online Retailers That Ship to NC
A quick note on what changed since this post was last updated: Drizly shut down in March 2024 (Uber acquired and then killed it). Mash & Grape stopped shipping to NC. Several other retailers that appeared here have gone dark or stopped NC shipments. I’ve removed the dead links and updated what I can verify.
Nestor Liquor
Nestor Liquor is my primary recommendation for NC buyers. They ship to North Carolina, their prices on allocated bottles are better than most online alternatives, and they carry hard-to-find bourbons that NC ABC stores rarely see. I’ve seen Blanton’s, Weller products, and Buffalo Trace on their site at prices that, while above ABC retail, aren’t entirely absurd by secondary-market standards.
They also carry a good selection of single barrel picks and store exclusives that you simply can’t find in an ABC store.
1-877-Spirits
1-877-Spirits has been on this list for a while and appears to still be operating and shipping to NC. Their selection leans toward NC-friendly allocated bottles — Blanton’s, Buffalo Trace, some Weller — and they’re upfront that you’ll pay a premium. Their custom engraved bottles and decanters are popular for gifts if that’s the use case.
I’d call them a reliable second option. Stock is less consistent than Nestor, and prices run higher, but they do ship here.
ReserveBar
ReserveBar is still operating as of early 2026. They seem to “aggregate” from other retailers, so not everything on their site ships to NC.
If you want to try them, the free shipping on orders over $99 is a genuine perk, and their glassware selection is solid if you just need something to ship easily. But verify before you commit to a full order.
Whiskey Subscription Services
If you’ve never thought about a whiskey subscription, NC is actually a good use case for one. We’ve talked about Flaviar on here before and the logic for NC buyers is straightforward: NC ABC doesn’t stock everything, and Flaviar’s model gives you access to bottles that never make it to your local store.
Flaviar operates as a membership club. You pick a subscription tier, they ship you bottles on a cadence, and you can also shop their catalog independently. For NC readers who are frustrated by ABC’s limited selection, this is a legitimate path to trying things you can’t get locally.
The prices aren’t cheap. Flaviar bottles typically run above retail. But the value proposition is access, not savings.
Hard-to-Find Whiskeys Available Online
Here are a few examples of bottles you probably won’t find at your NC ABC store, currently available from retailers that ship to NC. These come from our data pipeline and are updated regularly.
If you’re hunting for something specific (Blanton’s, BT, etc.)… check local lotteries and the NC ABC warehouse stock.
Ordering Beer and Wine Online
Beer and wine are a different story. NC’s laws are less restrictive here, and there are more options.
Drizly is gone as of 2024, but local delivery through Instacart or Uber Eats works in many NC markets — check your zip code. Total Wine ships wine to NC and has a large catalog. Amazon handles non-spirits alcohol in some areas as well.
For craft beer specifically, brewery direct-to-consumer shipping is also an option in NC, depending on the brewery’s state license situation. Worth checking directly with any brewery you’re interested in.
Out-of-State Readers
If you’re not in NC, your options are likely better. Liquor laws vary a lot by state, and several online retailers that can’t ship to NC may ship just fine to you.
Nestor Liquor, ReserveBar, and 1-877-Spirits are all worth checking regardless of where you are. Bounty Hunter Rare Wines and Spirits is another solid option for out-of-state buyers — they were previously my top recommendation for NC readers before limiting NC shipments, and they’re still worth checking if you’re elsewhere.
For state-specific guidance, start with what your ABC board (if you have one) allows, then check retailer shipping pages directly. Retailer shipping maps change frequently.
Alternatives to Online Ordering
If the online options are too expensive or too unreliable — both fair criticisms — here are a few things NC buyers actually do.
Drive to a neighboring state. Virginia, South Carolina, and Tennessee all have private liquor retail. Prices at a well-stocked shop across the Virginia border will often beat anything you’ll find online, and you’re not paying shipping.
NC ABC Special Orders. NC ABC does offer a special order program for bottles not stocked locally. Turnaround time is slow and selection is limited by what their wholesale suppliers carry, but it’s a fully legal and sometimes cheaper option for non-allocated bottles. Ask at your local store.
Trading communities. Facebook groups for bourbon trading have gotten more restricted in recent years, but active trading communities still exist on Reddit and in Discord servers. You’re trading bottles you own for bottles you want. Exercise caution.
Last updated: February 2026. Some retailer information may change. If you find a retailer that ships to NC (or one that’s stopped), leave a comment — I update this post when I get reliable reports.
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