Welcome to the occasionally confusing, government-regulated world of buying bourbon. Ever wonder why you can’t find that rare bottle your friend in another state just picked up? The answer might be “Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) States.” It’s a system that sounds about as fun as its name, and it has a major say in what bourbon ends up in your glass.

Definition

“Alcoholic Beverage Control,” or ABC, states are places where the state government has a monopoly on the sale of liquor. Instead of private liquor stores competing for your business, you get state-run outlets. Think of it as the DMV, but for whiskey. Seventeen states decided this was a good idea, controlling spirit sales from the wholesale level right down to the shelf where you’re trying to find something decent.

Why does it matter?

For you, the intrepid bourbon explorer, it matters a lot. In ABC states, the selection is curated by a government committee, not by market demand or a passionate store owner. This can mean less variety and a tougher time finding unique, smaller-batch bourbons. The state decides what to stock, how much to stock, and what the price will be. This can lead to some bottles being cheaper, but it often means that allocated or limited-edition bourbons are even harder to come by, sometimes distributed through lottery systems that are about as likely to pay off as a slot machine. It doesn’t affect how the bourbon is made, but it sure affects your ability to buy it.

How OAKR helps

Since you might be staring at a state-approved wall of whiskey with limited options, knowing what’s actually good is crucial. Everyone’s palate is different, but OAKR aggregates tasting data from experts to give you a reliable preview of a bourbon’s flavor profile. Instead of guessing, you can use the app to see if that government-sanctioned bottle is a hidden gem or just another forgettable pour. Explore the OAKR app to find personalized recommendations and discover what you truly enjoy, no matter what state you’re in.