Because North Carolina law strictly prohibits the shipment of spirits from out-of-state directly to consumers, a thriving "underground" market exists. Shoppers frustrated by empty shelves or a lack of rare bottles often turn to out-of-state websites like or Caskers .

The story of buying liquor online in North Carolina is one of strict "control state" regulations clashing with modern consumer convenience. While beer and wine can be legally delivered to homes by licensed retailers, hard liquor remains a state-run monopoly managed by the . The Illegal "End-Around"

: State Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) agents have conducted undercover operations, ordering bottles of rum and bourbon to their own offices to build cases and issue cease-and-desist letters to online retailers.