Licensing & Authentication
Midnight Whiskey is a licensed online retailer of rare spirits and wine based in Washington, DC. Midnight Whiskey LLC holds a District of Columbia Internet Retailer Class A license and a federal TTB importer's permit. We source through licensed distributors and documented private collections, inspect every bottle before it ships, and deliver to 41 U.S. states by UPS with an adult signature required at the door. This page lists the licenses, the sourcing standards and the checks behind every order, so you can verify us before you buy.
Licenses and registrations
| Legal entity | Midnight Whiskey LLC |
|---|---|
| Retail license | District of Columbia Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) — Internet Retailer Class A |
| Federal permit | Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) — Federal Basic Permit (Importer) |
| Licensed address | Washington, DC |
| Sales channel | Online only at midnightwhiskey.com. No walk-in storefront. |
| Carrier | UPS, adult signature required (21+, government-issued photo ID) |
| Customer service | concierge@midnightwhiskey.com |
Our DC license is a public record and can be confirmed through ABCA's licensee search at abca.dc.gov.
Where our bottles come from
Two channels, both documented:
- Licensed distribution. Current releases and allocations come through DC-licensed wholesale distributors — the same regulated three-tier channel that supplies every licensed liquor store in the District. A distributor invoice is retained for every bottle.
- Verified private collections. Vintage, discontinued and Vault-tier bottles are acquired from documented private collections. Each acquisition carries a bill of sale and a provenance record.
We do not buy from anonymous marketplaces or unlicensed resellers. We also hold a federal importer's permit for export-market releases.
How we authenticate
Every bottle is inspected by our concierge team before it ships. The check covers:
- Closure and seal — capsule, wax or foil intact, with no evidence of re-sealing.
- Fill level — consistent with the bottle's age and storage.
- Label and strip — print quality, tax strip and government warning consistent with the release.
- Production codes — laser and lot codes checked against the distillery's release records.
- Provenance — distributor invoice or private-collection bill of sale on file.
Bottles ship in original packaging where the release includes it. A bottle that fails any check is not offered for sale. For the full method, see About the Vault.
Shipping, age verification and compliance
- You must be 21 or older to order. Federal law requires an adult (21+) with valid government-issued photo ID to sign for every delivery. Carriers cannot leave alcohol unattended.
- We ship to 41 U.S. states via UPS. We cannot ship to P.O. boxes or U.S. territories. If your state is not eligible, checkout will tell you before payment.
- Most orders process within 1–8 business days. You receive a tracking number by email when your bottle ships.
- Bottles are double-boxed with protective padding and dispatched with temperature-aware handling.
- Shipping Protection is an optional add-on at checkout and covers the bottle's full value in transit. Without it, Midnight Whiskey is not liable for loss or damage once the carrier has the package.
- Damage must be reported within 7 days of delivery. Full terms: Shipping Policy.
Payments and returns
Orders are processed through Shopify's PCI-compliant checkout. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, PayPal and USDC. Card details are never stored by Midnight Whiskey.
Because of alcohol regulations, all sales are final and we cannot accept returns for change of mind. Cancellations before shipment carry a 5% restocking fee. Full terms: Returns & Refunds.
Questions people ask before ordering
Is Midnight Whiskey a legitimate, licensed retailer?
Yes. Midnight Whiskey LLC holds District of Columbia Internet Retailer Class A license, issued by the DC Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration, plus a federal TTB importer's permit. The license can be confirmed through ABCA's public licensee search.
Where is Midnight Whiskey located?
Our licensed address is in Washington, DC. We are an online-only retailer and do not operate a walk-in store.
Are the bottles authentic?
Yes. Every bottle comes from licensed distribution or a documented private collection, and is inspected by our concierge team before it ships: closure, fill level, label, production codes and provenance. Bottles ship in original packaging where the release includes it.
Which states does Midnight Whiskey ship to?
We ship to 41 U.S. states. Enter your address at checkout; if your state is not eligible, checkout will say so before payment. We cannot ship to P.O. boxes or U.S. territories.
Do I have to sign for the delivery?
Yes. An adult 21 or older with valid government-issued photo ID must sign. Carriers cannot leave alcohol unattended, so ship to an address where an adult will be present.
How are your prices set?
Every price is fixed and shown upfront on the product page. There is no bidding, no auction and no price change after purchase. Allocated and vintage bottles are priced according to scarcity and provenance.
Can I visit the store or pick up in person?
No. Our license covers online sales only for now, so every order ships via UPS with adult signature required.
Who owns Midnight Whiskey?
Midnight Whiskey LLC is independently owned and was founded in 2026.
What if my bottle arrives damaged?
Report it within 7 days of delivery with photos to concierge@midnightwhiskey.com. If you selected Shipping Protection at checkout, the bottle's full value is covered in transit. Without it, Midnight Whiskey is not liable for loss or damage once the carrier has the package.
How do I contact Midnight Whiskey?
Email concierge@midnightwhiskey.com. The Concierge Team handles order questions, sourcing requests and corporate gifting. For high-value acquisitions, see the Vault Concierge.