Located ten miles off the northern coast of Scotland, the Orkney Islands are known for their mild climate, lush green grass, and relative isolation from the mainland. All three of these factors make them ideal grazing lands for dairy cattle, a fact that’s neatly demonstrated by the quality of of Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar, making its triumphant return to our Spotlight Cheese program. Mild, creamy, and decidedly delicious, it’s made exclusively from milk produced on Orkney dairy farms, meaning every bite is a taste of the idyllic islands from which it came. Orkney Cheddar is inextricably intertwined with the Orkney Islands—even its packaging lovingly depicts the Islands’ iconic Ring of Brodgar archeological site. As such, its remarkably creamy and mellow flavor profile all the more reflects the care and expertise of its artisan cheesemakers. On first taste, Orkney Cheddar is mild and easy, with a faint sharp edge on the finish. As you continue to savor its smooth, silky mouth feel, the sharpness builds more and more, and you begin to detect subtle sweet and nutty notes. Just complex enough to fascinate, but not so much as to overwhelm, Orkney Cheddar is gentle, alluring, and full of surprises—much like the Orkney Islands themselves. Try it out on a charcuterie board, as part of a wine tasting with friends, or melted onto an elegantly elevated grilled cheese sandwich.