Idaho State Liquor Store

What can be bad about a liquor store? They do have very friendly helpful staff.

Their prices are fair and their cashier was very nice both times.

Don’t buy liquor here, it is unsafe. I mentioned a few weeks back some questionable Buffalo Trace on the shelf. It had moisture on the neck of the bottle. They didn’t pull it so I have bought some other brands of bourbon since. My wife bought a bottle of Buffalo Trace today and we experienced a cork that was slightly risen from out of the bottle and was saturated even though it was transported upright. The bourbon smelled ok so I poured a glass and took a couple sips. I automatically tastes something was off with this bottle. I called Chris the manager of the store in St Maries and notified her of the situation. I was told that they “could not do anything because I tasted the bottle”. I took the bottle back, showed it to Chris, told her the other remaining bottle needed to be pulled from the shelf and told her that she could taste it if she didn’t believe me. Her response, I can not taste this. I ask her to smell it to see if she could pick something up but she could not and admitted she was unknowable. She said she would have to ask another client when bourbons go bad. I said said this bottle needed to be exchanged because it’s possibly unsafe for consumption as it appears to have been transported or stored improperly and has signs of overheating and possible bacteria and oxidation from the risen and wet cork. Chis then said she would exchange the bottle for the one remaining bottle of the same tainted bourbon. I asked if I could exchange for something else and was told “no, we can only exchange for what you have and you will need to pay me for this opened bottle, if the state doesn’t take it back”. Well Chris, explain to the state of Idaho why you just lost a client whom is always nice and buys a $25-$50 bottle of Bourbon or Scotch weekly. A client whom has never complained about anything in two years and that you know on a first name basis. Also explain to the state of Idaho and the good people of Benewah County, why a potentially unsafe bottle of alcohol is still on your shelf. As big of a pain as it will be to drive to Coeur d’Alene or the Silver Valley, due to customer service and safety, we plan to from now on for all state liquor purchases. Speaking of which, this why business’s should be owned by private individuals and corporations, they would never let a client leave with a potentially dangerous item.

The staff is very friendly and helpful

Extremely courteous staff. The manager Chris, is very friendly and helpful. I've been there several times and have not one complaint. They also have a great selection!