Midnight Whiskey FAQ | Shipping, Returns & Authentication

 

Shipping & Delivery

Where do you ship?
Due to state regulations, we cannot ship to: AL, AK, AR, HI, MS, SD, UT, or WI. We do not ship to PO Boxes or APO/FPO addresses.

How long does shipping take?
Orders are processed within 5–8 business days for vault retrieval, authentication, and specialized packing. Orders shipped via an expedited UPS service are prioritized and typically process within 2–4 business days. Transit time and shipping cost depend on the UPS service you select at checkout, where live rates and delivery estimates are shown for your address. You will receive tracking as soon as your bottle leaves our vault.

Is an adult signature required?
Yes. By law, an adult (21+) must be present to sign for delivery, and the carrier will check a government-issued ID. Carriers will not leave alcohol at a doorstep. We recommend a business address if no one over 21 will be home during the day.

What if my bottle arrives damaged?
Inspect your package on arrival. Report any damage to concierge@midnightwhiskey.com within 24 hours of delivery, with photos of both the outer packaging and the bottle. Retain all original packaging — the carrier may require it for inspection. Every shipment has optional Shipping Protection for it full total value available at checkout.

Is shipping different for Vault items?

Yes. Vault orders are prioritized for handling and packed in reinforced, specialized containers. We recommend adding Shipping Protection on high-value bottles so their full value is covered in transit.

Orders & Returns

Can I return my order?

Due to the nature of alcohol sales and the rarity of our collection, all sales are final and we do not accept returns for change of mind. If something is wrong with your order, contact concierge@midnightwhiskey.com and we'll make it right.

Can I cancel an order?

You can cancel within 3 business days of purchase, as long as the order hasn't shipped. Once a shipping label has been created, the sale is final. A small restocking fee may apply — see our Returns & Refunds policy for details.

Authenticity & The Vault

Are your bottles authentic?

Every bottle is sourced through verified channels and inspected by our experts before it enters The Vault. We guarantee the provenance of every spirit we sell.

How do you authenticate Pappy Van Winkle?

Every Pappy Van Winkle bottle entering our vault passes the same eight-point authentication inspection we apply across the collection. We verify the federal tax strip for adhesion and intact serial registration, confirm the capsule color and finish match the expression and release year, cross-reference the glass mold code against the documented release year, measure fill level against stated volume, inspect label adhesion and print registration, evaluate cork condition and compression, assess dust and oxidation pattern against the claimed age, and check batch and barrel numbers for internal consistency across label, capsule, and carton. Bottles that fail any checkpoint are rejected and never listed.

What makes a bottle "The Vault" quality?

The Vault holds our most exclusive offerings — discontinued vintages, highly allocated releases like Pappy and BTAC, and rare international finds. These are the crown jewels of the whiskey world.

Do you offer gift packaging?

Yes. Many of our premium bottles arrive in their original distillery boxes, and you can add signature gift wrapping and a personalized note at checkout.

Selling to Us

How do I sell my whiskey collection to Midnight Whiskey?

We acquire private collections and individual rare bottles through our concierge program. Start with a confidential inquiry — tell us what you have, ideally with photographs of the bottles, labels, and tax strips. Our team responds within 24 hours with an initial valuation range. If you accept, we arrange insured pickup or shipping, complete on-site authentication, and issue payment within five business days of verification. Visit our Vault Concierge page to begin.
Q: How do I sell my whiskey collection to Midnight Whiskey?

We acquire private collections and individual rare bottles through
our concierge program. The process begins with a confidential
inquiry — share what you have, ideally with photographs of the
bottles, labels, and tax strips. Our team responds within 24 hours
with an initial valuation range. If you accept, we arrange insured
pickup or shipping, conduct on-site authentication, and issue payment
within five business days of verification. Visit The Vault Concierge
page to begin a confidential valuation.

Shipping

How long does shipping take?

Most orders are processed within 1-5 business days, but can take up to 8 business days depending on bottle. Once shipped, standard delivery usually takes 3-8 business days depending on your location. You will receive a tracking number as soon as your bottle leaves our vault.
Do I need to be home to receive my order?

Yes. By law, an adult (21+) must be present to sign for the delivery. Carriers will not leave alcohol on a porch or at a doorstep without a physical signature and ID verification.

Returns

Can I return a bottle if I change my mind?

Due to the nature of the product and state regulations, all sales are final. However, if your bottle arrives damaged or is not what you ordered, please contact our concierge team immediately.

Product & Authenticity

Are your "Rare & Allocated" bottles authentic?

Absolutely. Every bottle in The Vault and our Rare Collection is sourced through verified channels and inspected for authenticity. We pride ourselves on being the most trusted source for collectors.
How do you authenticate Pappy Van Winkle?

Every Pappy Van Winkle bottle entering our vault passes an eight-point
authentication inspection. We verify the federal tax strip for proper
adhesion and intact serial registration, confirm the signature blue
foil capsule and its torque pattern, cross-reference the glass mold
code against the documented release year, measure fill level against
stated volume, inspect label adhesion and print registration, evaluate
cork condition and compression, and match the batch number against
Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery records. Bottles that fail any
checkpoint are rejected and never listed.
Do you offer gift packaging?

Yes! Many of our premium bottles come in their original distillery boxes. We also offer additional gift wrapping and personalized notes at checkout for that extra touch of class.

The Vault (Rare & Allocated)

Is shipping different for Vault items?

Yes. All Vault orders are prioritized for handling, packed in reinforced specialized containers, and are fully insured for their total value during transit.
What makes a bottle "The Vault" quality?

Bottles in The Vault are our most exclusive offerings—think discontinued vintages, highly-allocated releases (like Pappy or BTAC), and rare international finds. These are the crown jewels of the whiskey world.
How do you verify the authenticity of Vault items?

Our experts meticulously inspect every bottle for correct tax strips, glass molding, fill levels, and label authenticity. We only source through trusted, verified partners to ensure what you’re buying is 100% genuine.