Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services to Open Registration for Lotteries Offering Opportunities to Purchase Rare Spirits on Sunday, April 12

For Immediate Release: Monday, April 6, 2026

Montgomery County's Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) will open registration on Sunday, April 12, for its annual limited-availability whiskey lotteries. The lotteries give residents the chance to purchase highly sought-after spirits. Participation is free, but residency requirements apply.

ABS expects to release more than 900 bottles for purchase through the lotteries. Among the spirits that County residents will have an opportunity to purchase are seven bottles of Weller Millennium, four bottles of Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year, and two bottles of Michter's 20 Year. Maryland residents selected in the lottery will also have the chance to purchase seven bottles of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon and two bottles of Heaven Hill 19 Year.

Two residency-based lotteries will be held:

• The first lottery will be open to Maryland residents 21 and over.
• The second lottery will be open only to Montgomery County residents 21 and over.

Both lotteries feature a variety of available spirits, with some overlap. County residents may enter both lotteries.

Registration for the lotteries begins at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, April 12, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, April 18. After the lotteries close, a random drawing will be conducted to determine winners. The winning numbers will be posted on the ABS website at noon on Wednesday, April 22.

Lottery winners will be able to purchase their allocated bottle at a designated store between Saturday, April 25, and Saturday, May 23. No alternative dates will be provided. Bottles not picked up by the close of business on May 23 will be forfeited.

Lottery registrants can indicate their top choices from the list of available bottles. The number of bottles for each spirit is included on the registration forms. Details on how to enter the lottery, including registration forms, are available on the ABS website.

A third lottery will be open to Montgomery County alcohol license holders who are authorized to sell spirits on their premises. The licensee lottery will run concurrently with the resident lotteries and will increase the availability of these exclusive items for sale by the glass. Licensees can enter this lottery on the ABS website.

"ABS is proud to work with manufacturers and suppliers to make these rare products available to residents," said ABS Retail Chief John Donovan. "The lottery program ensures equitable access and transparent pricing for all customers."

ABS is the alcohol wholesaler of beer, wine, and spirits for Montgomery County and operates 27 retail stores throughout the County. ABS also manages alcohol licensing, enforcement, and education for more than 1,000 businesses.

The department generates tens of millions in net income annually. Those funds help pay down County debt, with a significant portion deposited into the County's general fund to support services that would otherwise rely on tax dollars.

Residents can follow ABS on Facebook and X.

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