My Favorite Tillamook Cheese Was Just Named 'Best in the World'

It's worth the hype.

When you come to my house for any gathering or holiday, a charcuterie board is always on the table. Even if you’re just coming over to watch a new movie on Netflix, I will be preparing a small board filled with fruits, veggies, crackers, meats, and cheeses—and, I’m heavy on the cheeses.

Typically, I use a charcuterie board as a chance to try new cheese flavors that I wouldn’t get to try in my day-to-day cooking. However, I do have a few staples that will always make the board, including Sartori’s Merlot Bellavitano Cheese, Kerrygold’s Dubliner, and Tillamook’s 2014 Extra Sharp White Cheddar.

While those many global food competitions won’t necessarily change my mind about a product, I love finding out the winners—mainly to determine if my taste in products is as good as I think it is. And, this week, the World Cheese Awards just solidified my love for Tillamook’s 10-year aged Cheddar.

Tillamook's 2014 Maker’s Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar Named Best in the World

When judged against thousands of cheeses from companies across 47 countries, the 2014 Tillamook Maker's Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar was named the best Cheddar in the world.

The cheese is part of Tillamook’s vintage Reserve line, which releases a 10-year and three-year aged Cheddar every year. The 2014 is its newest 10-year aged option and is known for its nutty, yet sweet flavors.

I love the cheese for its bright and buttery flavor and the perfectly crystalized bits that add a little crunch to every melt-in-your-mouth bite. Tillamook suggests pairing the 2014 vintage Cheddar with porter or stout beer, Cabernet Sauvignon wine, paloma cocktails, fresh raspberries, and olive tapenade—though, I’ll admit it goes well with just about anything and everything.

In addition to the gold trophy, Tillamook was awarded two bronze accolades for its Tillamook Farmers' Collection English Style Sweet Cheddar (another of my favorites) and Tillamook Farmers' Collection Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar. The hickory-smoked Cheddar also won "Best USA Cheese Any Variety" in the International Cheese and Dairy Awards (ICDA) competition earlier this year.

All three of Tillamook’s award-winning cheeses—including the best in the world 2014 vintage—are available at major grocery stores nationwide. You can also purchase them from Tillamook’s site for direct-to-door shipping.

All I’ll say is that Tillamook’s 2014 Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar would make a pretty great stocking stuffer, if anyone is still looking for gifts for me (or any other cheese lover in your life).