Cheesemaker seeing stars, as Great Taste reveals more goat’s cheese glory

Quicke’s has landed yet more honours today following the announcement of this year’s Great Taste results, with the Devon-based cheesemaker taking home stars for six of its products, including a coveted 3-star award for its Goat's Milk Clothbound Cheese. With only 192 products named in 2018’s 3-star list, the goat’s cheese is now one of the UK’s most celebrated cheeses, following a raft of awards already achieved this year.

Among the other winning wedges were Home Farm’s first ever mixed milk cheese, Lady Prue, taking a 2-star award, and the firm favourite Mature Clothbound Cheddar, which also scooped a 2-star accolade. 1-star awards went to both Vintage Clothbound Cheddar and Extra Mature Clothbound Cheddar, as well as the Slightly Salted Cow’s Whey Butter, a rich and creamy product made following a rare heritage recipe, using whey cream, a by-product of the cheesemaking process.

Enticing the Great Taste judges with its “lovely and promising aroma with a strong note of horseradish on the nose”, the distinctly different goat’s cheese was described as “an interesting cheese with a distinct flavour”, as it became one of just a handful of cheeses to take top marks this year. Commenting on the cheese’s “brightly acidic paste and clean taste, with a sweetness”, the panel heaped praise upon the 6-month matured hard goat’s cheese during the rigorous blind-tasting process.

Mary Quicke MBE commented:

“A 3-star Great Taste award is a rare privilege, so we are truly honoured to have our goat’s cheese named among this year’s top food and drink. Having already taken medals at the British Cheese Awards and Artisan Cheese Awards this year, our goat’s cheese is certainly staking its claim as a force to be reckoned with at the cheese counter. Not to be outdone, our cheddars and whey butter have amassed a lovely haul of Great Taste stars, and Lady Prue even popped up with a 2-star at the first time of asking! It’s very rewarding to achieve such badges of honour and the Great Taste stars certainly help shine a spotlight on these rolling Devon hills, as we continue to fly the flag for traditional clothbound cheddar, both in the UK and overseas.”

For more information on Quicke's, please visit www.quickes.co.uk.