This was spilling over on the grilled cheese thread so i thought it deserved its own thread. While picking up some double fermented soy sauce and Red Boat fish sauce i saw this at the market.
Grafton Village 1 year. I figured what the heck and took home a small block.
My first thought was DAMN, this is sharp for a 1year old cheddar. So much so that its a very dominant flavor. Nutty and sweet are in the back of the bus. Salt is on point though, just about perfect for my tastes. Buttery comes in 2nd in both flavor and mouth feel. Texture is good but you know right away its young or at least aged in conditions that are likely better suited for longer aging. The lack of "crystals" was slightly disappointing but not really expected from a 1 year that cost under $10/lb. Its well worth the money.
After eating a small block it left me wondering. I bet this would have been outstanding in a few more years. Grafton offers cheddar upto 5 years old. I didn't find their claim that it stands upto cheddar twice as old to be true for me. Ive had several 15month old that were easily better but they were also more expensive.
If you like a simple profile straight up sharp Vermont cheddar, there is certainly nothing wrong with this one. If you prefer a more complex flavor profile i think you will be somewhat disappointed, A couple ive tried from the Cabots Legacy collection easily have it beat in that regard and cost only slightly more.
Grafton Village 1 year. I figured what the heck and took home a small block.
My first thought was DAMN, this is sharp for a 1year old cheddar. So much so that its a very dominant flavor. Nutty and sweet are in the back of the bus. Salt is on point though, just about perfect for my tastes. Buttery comes in 2nd in both flavor and mouth feel. Texture is good but you know right away its young or at least aged in conditions that are likely better suited for longer aging. The lack of "crystals" was slightly disappointing but not really expected from a 1 year that cost under $10/lb. Its well worth the money.
After eating a small block it left me wondering. I bet this would have been outstanding in a few more years. Grafton offers cheddar upto 5 years old. I didn't find their claim that it stands upto cheddar twice as old to be true for me. Ive had several 15month old that were easily better but they were also more expensive.
If you like a simple profile straight up sharp Vermont cheddar, there is certainly nothing wrong with this one. If you prefer a more complex flavor profile i think you will be somewhat disappointed, A couple ive tried from the Cabots Legacy collection easily have it beat in that regard and cost only slightly more.