Cheddar (Scotcheese Gin and Tonic)

I love unusual flavours and combinations – I could spend hours in farm shops picking out weird and wacky products to take home and taste. I love trying things that are unlike anything I have had before and I also love unusual flavour combinations or pairings that challenge your preconceptions about how food should be consumed. I love cheese, and I love gin and tonic.

With all of the above in mind it may therefore come as a surprise that I thoroughly detest this cheese. The flavour of the tonic is almost too authentic as to become truly overwhelming. I cannot believe that Scotcheese managed to recreate this beverage so faithfully and forcefully in cheese form. Whereas tonic water itself is sharp and refreshing, served over ice with a delightful sparkle, this cheese is soft, buttery and cloying which does not complement the bitter medicinal taste.

I first tried this cheese during the Grate My Cheese 2019 annual meet and I actually didn’t finish the piece I was given, which is most unusual. I have to rate this cheese as an unfortunate 0/10 as I cannot in good conscience recommend that anyone buy it with the intention of enjoying it. However, I will always fondly remember trying this cheese with friends and I am sure that the experience will be brought up in conversation for years to come. I am looking forward to trying other cheeses by the same company, because if they bring the same dedication to authentic taste and innovative experience to a culinary combination which wasn’t destined to fail, I believe they could make something special.

Joe

Lover of strong flavours and interesting experiences.