Arran Creamery is world's best cheddar

GLASGOW, Scotland – First Milk, owners of the Isle of Arran Creamery, are celebrating as their Extra Mature variety was rated best cheddar at the World Cheese Awards 2013. 

The creamery won a 'Super Gold' title which is awarded by the judges from their selection of Gold medal-winning cheddars. With just one Super Gold awarded for the whole cheddar category, recipients of this title are classed as one of the 'World's Best Cheeses'.

Isle of Arran cheddar is handcrafted by a small team of dedicated cheese makers follow traditional methods, using only milk from cows that graze the island's pastures, to create this classic cheddar.

Paul Murray, head cheesemaker at Isle of Arran Creamery, commented: "It is a huge honour to receive the top cheddar award from the judges. Our employees and local supplying farmers take great pride in the cheese we produce and it's fantastic to get this recognition."

The World Cheese Awards took place on 27th November in Birmingham, as part of the annual BBC Good Food Show, where 2,700 entries were received from over 30 countries. The awards bring together buyers and sellers from the global food industry and this year celebrated their 25thanniversary.

The judges included expert cheese graders, producers, buyers, chefs and food writers.  Every entry is judged on taste, aroma and texture.

This award comes at a busy time for creamery owners First Milk, as they focus more on marketing their brands, including Isle of Arran, into expanding international markets.

Isle of Arran Creamery on the on the southern tip of the island.s owned and operated by First Milk – the UK's only major dairy company which is 100% owned by British farmers.  It supplies a wide range of dairy products and dairy ingredients to customers in both national and international markets including block cheeses, soft cheeses, raw milk, butter, skimmed milk powder, whey proteins and sports nutrition brands.