Cheddar (Black Bomber – Snowdonia Cheese Company Extra Mature)
This cheese has a somewhat mythical reputation among the writers at gratemycheese. It is held as a kind of gold standard of artisanal cheddar, a cheese to compare all other cheese to when determining greatness.
Other writers (Phil and Louis) are self-professed cheddar fanatics and cannot be trusted to give an objective ranking to an extra-mature cheddar or any cheese with ‘Bomber’ in the name. As more of a cheese all-rounder, I have made sure to purchase this group favourite and write my review first, before the others churn out their strength 7 propaganda.
The cheese comes in a pleasant wax coating, which makes slicing and serving a joy. It can however make washing the knives afterwards hard work as the wax sticks firmly and no amount of washing-up liquid and scrubbing seems to do the trick! (Can you tell I’m struggling to find the negatives?)
The texture is very soft and creamy for a cheddar, with occasional crystals. The flavour is also initially creamy, but this soon gives way to an intense salty and umami flavour. This isn’t the most mature cheddar I’ve ever had, but the flavour certainty packs a punch.
This cheddar really is delicious and it deserves the hype that surrounds it. It truly is the cheddar’s cheddar with iconic branding, powerful flavour and yet combines well with almost anything. I shall continue to use it as a benchmark for great cheeses. I hope Phil and Louis get a chance to review it, so you can see just how much it is possible to enjoy this delightful cheese.
Lover of strong flavours and interesting experiences.
Very disappointing!
Spent more than I intended for what I thought was going to be a special treat. Out of the ten cheeses being consumed at our large family Christmas gathering Black Bomber was voted the worst.
Even cooking with it gave no improvement. Lacking in flavour and texture I will never recommend or purchase again.