Weird Bourbon Laws You Didn’t Know Existed

Did You Know Some States Still Have Prohibition-Era Bourbon Laws? 😱

Bourbon is more than just a drink—it’s a piece of American history. Whether you’re sipping it neat, in an Old Fashioned, or collecting rare bottles, bourbon holds a special place in the hearts of whiskey lovers everywhere.

But did you know that some of the laws governing bourbon are completely bizarre? 🧐

While Prohibition ended in 1933, many strange alcohol laws from that era still exist today. Some are outdated, others are just plain weird, and a few will make you wonder, “How is this still a thing?”

So grab your favorite pour, sit back, and let’s dive into some of the weirdest bourbon laws in the United States!

1. You Can’t Buy Bourbon on Sundays in Some States

If you’ve ever craved a bottle of bourbon on a Sunday, you might be out of luck—depending on where you live.

Some states still have “Blue Laws”, which restrict alcohol sales on Sundays. These laws date back to colonial times, meant to keep Sundays holy.

Even though Prohibition ended nearly a century ago, some states still limit or outright ban bourbon sales on Sundays.

Where This Law Still Exists:

• Mississippi – No liquor sales on Sundays at all.
• Indiana – Liquor stores were completely closed on Sundays until 2018!
• Tennessee – Some liquor stores were forbidden from selling whiskey on Sundays until 2019.
• Minnesota – Sunday liquor sales were banned until 2017.

The Catch? In many of these states, you can still go to a bar and drink bourbon on a Sunday. You just can’t buy a bottle to take home! 🤯

2. In Utah, You Can’t Order a Double Bourbon

Love a strong pour of bourbon? Too bad if you’re in Utah.

Utah has some of the strictest liquor laws in the country, and one of the weirdest rules is that bartenders cannot legally serve you a double shot of whiskey.

Instead, they are limited to 1.5 ounces per drink—no exceptions.

But it gets even weirder:

• You can’t have more than one drink in front of you at a time.
• Want to order a bourbon and a beer? You’ll have to finish one before getting the other.
• Even cocktails must follow strict pour limits, meaning your Old Fashioned might not taste as strong as you’d like!

This law is a remnant of Utah’s strict alcohol control policies, which aim to reduce overconsumption—but for whiskey lovers, it’s just frustrating.

3. Kentucky Bourbon Must Be Aged in Kentucky… Or Does It?

Kentucky is the bourbon capital of the world, producing 95% of the world’s bourbon. Many people believe that for whiskey to be legally considered bourbon, it must be made in Kentucky.

The Truth?

• Bourbon must be made in the U.S., but not necessarily in Kentucky.
• The law requires it to be aged in new, charred oak barrels, but it doesn’t specify where.
• Some great bourbons are made in states like Tennessee, Texas, Colorado, and New York.

Even though it’s not a legal requirement, many Kentuckians fiercely defend the idea that “real bourbon” only comes from Kentucky! 🏇

4. Alabama’s Bourbon Bottle Ban – Too Pretty to Sell?

Imagine this: You find a rare, beautifully packaged bourbon, only to discover it’s illegal to sell in Alabama.

Sounds ridiculous, right? Well, in Alabama, it happens all the time.

The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) has a rule that allows the state to ban alcohol sales based on the shape of the bottle. If the board thinks a bottle is too flashy, misleading, or appealing to minors, they can block it from being sold.

Bourbons That Were Banned in Alabama:

• Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch – Blocked in 2014 due to its unique shape.
• Belle Meade Bourbon Special Reserve – The bottle’s design violated Alabama’s restrictions.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. Whiskey – A NASCAR-themed bottle was denied approval.

The ABC Board claims this law helps prevent “overly flashy” marketing, but let’s be honest—some of the best bourbons come in gorgeous bottles!

5. You Can’t Buy a Drink for More Than 3 People in Nebraska

If you enjoy buying a round of bourbon for your friends, Nebraska might be a problem.

A bizarre state law makes it illegal to buy a round of drinks for more than 3 people at a time.

This means if you’re out with a group of five, you’ll have to split up the order into separate transactions.

Why does this law exist? No one really knows, but it’s thought to be an old Prohibition-era law meant to prevent binge drinking.

6. In North Carolina, Barrel-Aged Cocktails Are Illegal

If you’ve ever had a barrel-aged Old Fashioned, you know how delicious they can be. But in North Carolina, aging cocktails in barrels is completely illegal!

The state’s liquor laws say that bars cannot pre-mix or age cocktails before serving them. This means that any bourbon-based drink must be made fresh, on the spot.

For craft cocktail bars that love experimenting with flavors, this law is a major headache.

7. Bourbon Can’t Be Sold in Supermarkets in Pennsylvania

In most states, you can walk into a grocery store and pick up a bottle of bourbon. But not in Pennsylvania.

The state controls liquor sales through state-run liquor stores—meaning you won’t find a bottle of bourbon in your local supermarket.

Weirdest part?

• If you want to buy beer or wine at a grocery store, you have to go to a separate checkout counter.
• Liquor, beer, and wine are all sold separately—because… reasons?

This outdated rule has led to plenty of frustration for whiskey lovers in Pennsylvania.

8. No Bourbon Sales Within 200 Feet of a Church in Indiana

In Indiana, there’s a law that bans liquor stores from opening within 200 feet of a church or school.

This means that if you want to buy bourbon, but there’s a church nearby, the liquor store might not even be allowed to exist.

The law dates back to Prohibition-era thinking, but it still impacts where new bourbon shops can open today.

9. No Happy Hour Discounts in Massachusetts

A big shoutout to DramHound for this one: In Massachusetts, happy hour as you know it is illegal! Bars and restaurants are prohibited from discounting alcohol, so instead, they offer discounts on food to attract patrons. If you

were hoping for half-priced bourbon cocktails after work, you’re out of luck—unless you want some discounted appetizers to go with your full-priced drink.

Bourbinsane Breakdown: Bourbon Laws Are as Wild as the Whiskey Itself

While bourbon is one of America’s most beloved drinks, the laws governing it are all over the place. From states that ban certain bottles to places where you can’t buy a round for your friends, these weird alcohol laws prove that Prohibition’s influence is far from gone.

As bourbon continues to grow in popularity, some of these laws may change—but others will likely stick around for years.

So next time you sip your favorite bourbon, remember—you might be breaking some ridiculous law without even knowing it! 🥃

What’s the Weirdest Bourbon Law You’ve Heard Of?

Drop a comment below and let’s talk about it! 👇

Share this with your bourbon-loving friends & let’s see who knows the weirdest law! 🔥🥃