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Application requirements and instructions​

First, review the general ABL applicant requirements listed on the ABL license directory page ​to make sure you are eligible to apply.

When you’re ready to apply, we recommend submitting your application using our free online tax portal, MyDORWAY. It’s faster and easier than completing a paper application, and you don’t have to worry about mail processing or making a trip to one of our offices.​

  • After logging in, select the More tab, then click Apply for a New Alcohol Beverage License.​​
  • Don'​t have an account? Sign u​p now​​

​​ Fees​

  • Non-refundable filing fee: $200 (Due at the time your application is submitted)
    License fee: $5,200 (​Due every two years with li​cense renewal)
    • ​You must pay a prorated amount of the license fee after your Liquor Micro Distillery License application has been approved by the SCDOR.

License requirements

  • You must have filed and paid balances associated with any South Carolina State Tax returns and all other liabilities.
  • You must first have a valid South Carolina Retail License. If you have not yet applied for a Retail License, get started here​.
  • ​You must submit a completed Application for Brewery, Winery, Liquor Manufacturer and Beer, Wine, and/or Liquor Wholesaler​ (ABL-9​​​02​), including all supplemental forms. See Required Forms below for more information. We recommend applying on MyDORWAY, but if submitting a paper copy of the application, make sure it’s signed and dated.
  • You must have an advertisement run in an approved newspaper that notifies the public that you have applied for an alcohol license. See Required Signs & Notices below for more information.
  • You are required to maintain functioning, sanitary restrooms available for patrons of your business during all hours of operation.
  • You must submit a copy of the lease, deed, document from a local government such as a municipality, or enforceable written contract, that grants you the right to use and control the licensed premises. This document must designate the specific area of the premises that will be licensed. In addition, you may supplement this document by submitting a copy of the ABL Lease Supplemental Information​ form (ABL-977).
  • No person may have direct or indirect ownership, influence, or financial interest in more than one of the following entities: a micro distillery, a distributor, or a retailer of beer, wine or liquor.

The fastest, easiest way to submit these forms and apply for a Liquor Micro Distillery License is by using our free online tax portal, MyDORWAY. After logging in, select the More tab, then click Apply for a New Alcohol Beverage License.​​

  • Application for Brewery, Winery, Liquor Manufacturer and Beer, Wine, and/or Liquor Wholesaler​ (ABL-​9​02) – Select Liquor Micro Distillery (PMD)
  • Verification of Lawful Presence in the United States – Applicant and Principals (ABL-920)
  • Applicant and Principal Consent and Waiver (ABL-946​​)
    • ​​If you’re applying on MyDORWAY, the ABL-920 and ABL-946 are part of the normal application workflow. You do not need to submit or attach a paper copy of the ABL-920 or ABL-946 if applying on MyDORWAY.
  • ABL Lease Supplemental Information (ABL-977​)
    • If applying on MyDORWAY, scan and upload the ABL-977 as an attachment.​​

As part of the application process, you must notify the public of your application by running an advertisement in an approved newspaper.​ The SCDOR will notify SLED to post a sign at your business location.

SLED sign posting

  • ​A SLED agent must post and remove a sign at the proposed place of business.
  • This sign must remain posted for at least 15 days and may be removed only by the SLED agent.
    • If the sign disappears before the SLED agent removes it, contact the SCDOR or SLED immediately.

Newspaper legal advertisement 

  • You are required to notify the public of ​your application by placing a legal advertisement in an SCDOR-approved newspaper for your area at least once a week for three consecutive weeks.
  • The legal advertisement must:
    • state the type of license applied for and the exact location of the proposed business
    • be posted in the legal notices section of the approved newspaper, or an equivalent section if the newspaper has no legal notices section
    • be in large type and cover a space of one column wide and at least two inches deep
  • You must submit an Affidavit of Publication from the newspaper running the legal advertisement.
    • If the newspaper does not submit the Affidavit of Publication on ​your behalf, you can attach the affidavit as part of the application on MyDORWAY.
    • The affidavit must include a copy of the advertisement.
    • The SCDOR will not issue your license until we receive an affidavit from an approved newspaper.

Frequently asked questions

Review the FAQs below for answers to frequently asked questions about the Liquor Micro Distillery License. Our Liquor and ​Operating an ABL Business​​ pages ​have ​additional helpful information.​

Liquor Micro Distillery License holders must distill, blend, and bottle liquor (all of the above) at their licensed location, and they may not produce more than 125,000 cases of liquor per year.

Liquor Manufacturer License holders do not have a maximum number of cases they can produce, and are not required to engage in distilling, blending, and bottling all at once. If your business is only performing one of the three functions, or plans to produce more than 125,000 cases per year, you are only eligible a Liquor Manufacturer License.

No. One of the requirements of the Liquor Micro Distillery License is that you must distill, blend, and bottle at the licensed location.

Yes. Liquor Micro Distillery License holders must engage in all three actions – distilling, blending, and bottling – on the licensed premises.

Yes. As part of the application process, SLED will examine your distilling equipment to ensure it is in working order.​

Micro distilleries must produce liquor with a minimum alcohol content of 17% ABV.

A Liquor Micro Distillery License only authorizes the licensee to sell liquor produced on the licensed premises if the licensed premises also includes a restaurant.

If your licensed premises includes a restaurant, you may be eligible to obtain a Business (Restaurant or Hotel) Liquor by the Drink License which will allow you to sell liquor purchased from a licensed wholesaler for on-premises consumption in your restaurant.

If your licensed premises includes a restaurant, you may be eligible to obtain an On-Premises Beer & Wine Permit which will allow you to sell beer and wine purchased from a licensed wholesaler for on-premises consumption in your restaurant.

​​You may charge for a tour that features liquor samples, so long as the price is proportional to the volume of liquor samples. You are required to establish your set price for a tour that offers a 1 oz. liquor sample, then use that rate to determine the charge for a tour that offers liquor in excess of 1 oz.

For example, if you establish that the charge for a tour with a 1 oz. sample is $10, then the charge for a tour that offers 4.5 oz. in samples must be $45.

Tour samples may only be offered in the following portions: 1 oz., 1.5 oz., 2 oz., 2.5 oz., 3 oz., 3.5 oz., 4 oz., or 4.5 oz.​

It is permissible for a licensed liquor manufacturer or micro distillery which operates a restaurant to employ a person who is at least 18 years of age to serve or remove beer, wine, or alcoholic beverages in the restaurant only (See SC Code Sections 61-6-1155, 61-6-2200, and 61-4-90(D)). This does not remove the prohibition of someone under 21 being employed in the remainder of the manufacturing business (See SC Code Section 61-6-4140). 

Mailing address:

South Carolina Department of Revenue | Alcohol Beverage Licensing | PO Box 125 | Columbia, SC 292​14-0907