Smoked Orkney Cheddar

After visiting the Caithness Smokehouse I had the delightful “job” of sampling some smoked Orkney cheddar.  This is mature white cheddar from Orkney flavoured with wood smoke in the Caithness Smokehouse. John Inglis uses beech, oak, and chopped-up old whisky barrels to provide the unique smoky taste.  I agree that it is indeed a unique taste, and very tasty indeed!

As it happened, we were off to Malta straight after our smokehouse visit, and the cheese survived the journey without any problem.  I invited our hosts to try some.  One of them was a bit hesitant as he said he didn’t usually like smoked cheese but he tried it anyway and pronounced it delicious.  We think that it’s because this cheddar is an artisan product made with care rather than the result of some industrial process like some of the cheeses which are mass produced for supermarkets. As a result it has a delicious, complex and subtle smoky flavour which enhances the cheese rather than overpowering it.

It’s a wee bit difficult to wax lyrical for several paragraphs about cheese, regardless of how good it is.  Let me just say that the cheese from the Caithness Smokehouse is absolutely delicious.  Try it if you get the chance!   (Caithness Smokehouse produce can be sent all over the UK, usually arriving within 48 hours of ordering.)