How NC ABC Pricing Works
North Carolina is a control state for distilled spirits. This means the state government — through the NC ABC Commission — controls the purchase, distribution, and pricing of all distilled spirits sold in the state.
Here’s what that means in practice:
Prices Are Set by the State
The NC ABC Commission sets all retail prices for distilled spirits in North Carolina. A bottle of bourbon costs the same at the Wake County ABC store as it does at the Macon County ABC store. There is no negotiating, no loyalty pricing, and no regional variation.
Prices are updated on the 1st of every month.
The NC Code System
Every spirit sold through the NC ABC system has an NC Code — a unique identifier used for ordering, pricing, and inventory. When you’re searching for a product, knowing the NC code is the fastest way to find exactly what you want.
NC codes follow the format 00-000 — two digits, a dash, three digits.
Monthly Specials
Each month, the NC ABC Commission offers a selection of products at reduced prices. These specials are valid for the entire calendar month and are the same across every ABC store in North Carolina.
Monthly specials are released on the 1st of the month alongside the updated price list.
Retail vs. Mixed Beverage Pricing
NC ABC pricing has two consumer/permittee price types:
Retail (consumer) pricing — the price you pay as an individual consumer purchasing a bottle for personal use.
Mixed Beverage (MXB) pricing — the price paid by licensed bars and restaurants that serve mixed drinks. MXB pricing includes an additional state surcharge (the “mixed beverage tax”) and is higher than retail pricing.
If you hold a mixed beverage permit, your purchases must go through your county ABC board’s MXB system at MXB prices. Purchasing at retail prices for commercial use is a permit violation.
Boutique Collection Items
Some spirits in the NC system are designated as “Boutique Collection” items — higher-end, lower-volume products that are available through special order rather than standard retail. These items may not be in stock at every store and may require advance ordering.
Boutique Collection items are identified in the product list and carry the BC designation in their category.
Special Order Items
Some products are available through special order only — they’re not stocked on store shelves but can be ordered by any licensed store. Special order availability and lead times vary by product and board.
Contact your local ABC store directly for special order requests.
Finding Current Prices
The official NC ABC Commission price list is published monthly as an Excel file at abc.nc.gov.
For a more accessible version — searchable by name, brand, or NC code — use the NCABC.net product search:
Price Accuracy
Prices displayed on NCABC.net are pulled directly from the NC ABC Commission’s official monthly price files and updated automatically on the 1st of every month.
If you notice a discrepancy between a price shown here and the price at your local store, the store’s price is the authoritative source. Contact the NC ABC Commission to report pricing discrepancies.