We all love a cheeseboard no matter what time of the year so we are pretty blessed in County Wicklow to have some of the finest cheese producers in Ireland.

Tom Burgess of Coolattin Cheddar makes a raw milk mature cheddar on his farm in West Wicklow. He was a dairy farmer who had been producing top quality milk from his pasture fed cows, and wanted to create a product that would reflect this special milk.

He succeeded and Mount Leinster Raw Milk Cheddar and Coolattin Mature Cheddar can take their place on the finest cheeseboards.

Tom likes to say: “Pasture to Cheddar the same day”.

The milk used for this cheddar is special for a number of reasons. Cows graze on fresh clover-rich pasture during the summer months as this is the ideal diet for cheese processing. Early morning milk, full of melatonin, is neither stored nor pasteurised, but instead it is pumped directly into the cheese vat.

This traditional cheese-making process captures the natural goodness and flavour of the milk, maintaining the proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, intact and available for digestion

Coolattin Mature Cheddar is a traditional handmade cheddar coated with red wax that gives it a characteristic appearance suggesting a characteristic taste which does not disappoint.

Mount Leinster Cheddar is a cloth-bound cheddar. A traditional coat for cheddar truckles, it facilitates the texture and body of the cheese adding another dimension to its flavour.

The wheels are then matured for over a year, turning occasionally, to allow the rich and complex flavours to develop. The result is a  gourmet experience of aroma, texture and full flavour. The sweet and fruity flavour of the young cheese matures into a complex nutty taste as the cheese ages.

Coolattin Mature is a traditional handmade cheddar coated with red wax that gives it a characteristic appearance suggesting a characteristic taste which does not disappoint.

Mount Leinster is a cloth bound cheddar. A traditional coat for cheddar truckles, it facilitates the texture and body of the cheese adding another dimension to its eating quality.

Tom’s skill and passion is evident from pasture to milking and from cheesemaking to maturing. This is reflected in the quality of the finished cheese. His story is important to him and so he is keen that people know not only of the cheese but the story behind it. He loves telling his story so people get to learn about the farm and the grazing herd while understanding the process of turning this superior milk into their top quality cheese.

• The quality of Coolattin Cheddar cheeses has been recognised with many awards including the CÁIS Irish Cheese Awards.
• Best New Cheese in the last 12 Months 2015
• Best Cows’ Milk Cheese 2015 and 2017
• Supreme Champion Irish Farmhouse Cheese Awards 2015 and 2017
• The cheese has also been recognised internationally, receiving Gold, Silver and Bronze medal standard at the British Cheese Awards.

Coolattin Cheddar is available from selective food stores and farmers’ markets.  Follow Coolattin Cheddar on Facebook

* Coolattin Cheddar is proud to be a member of Wicklow Naturally.