American cheese - similar to UK Mclelland Seriously Strong cheddar

[vardoger]

Does anyone know of an American cheddar cheese, of the same quality and flavour as McLelland Seriously Strong mature cheddar (which is available in the United Kingdom).

If this helps to jog anyones memory about the cheese I mean, here's the URL of the manufacturer: http://www.mclelland.co.uk/defaultpage121c1.as px?pageID=171

[unigirl]

It could be relevant if you tell us if you're in the UK, USA or some other country..

[vardoger]

Unigirl: I'm in the USA, but hail from the UK so I know the cheese quality there well. Saldy, the cheeses in the USA seem lackluster at best.

[Jugglering]

The closest you are going to get is one described as *sharp* in an American supermarket, which tastes a bit like a *medium mature* UK cheddar. They don't really like strong flavours there.

I have a mate in the food industry over there, so I shall email him and ask him what's the strongest flavoured cheddar his company sell and get back to you later :)

[vardoger]

Thanks, Jugglering. Would be good to hear if there is something comprable over here.

I really miss the McLelland stuff.

[Jugglering]

Hiya Vardoger... my mate in the USA has emailed me with these links to some strong cheddars available in the NY area:-

http://www.adamsreserve.com/products-adams-res erve.htm

http://www.cubacheese.com/items-cheddar-1.html

My friend tells me that a famous cajun chef used to call the *sharpest* cheese around "rat cheese", lol....

More info may follow if my friend can find anything else for you !

[Jugglering]

Vardoger - I have more info now ! Fresh info from NY State, from the man himself....

"the strongest cheddar that we carry is Balderson 5 year Canadian cheddar and it goes for $15.99 a pound..."

Here's the link (the cheese looks gorgeous !)
http://www.cheese.ca/en/home.asp

Click on the Balderson Cheddars - Premium Aged Cheeses and scroll through all the different strengths.... yummy !

[vardoger]

Truly excellent work! Thanks again, Jugglering.

All of these look like what I'm aiming for, but the 5 and 6 year aged premium cheddars from Balderson look especially enticing.

With their company being based in Toronto, I'm going to see I can find a stockist somewhere between Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan - and maybe get a bit of a sample. If it proves up to strength, I'll see about grabbing a few pounds and showing the locals what real cheese is all about.

I'm thoroughly sick of "cheddar" being an analogue for "bright yellow, industrial effluent".

[cheesepacker]

LactalisMcLelland have now launched their own brand of cheddars in the USA..
They are now exporting Seriously Strong White and Red, Seriously Mild (red), Seriously Mature (white), Seriously Farmy (white) and Seriously Double Gloucester..
Some of the finest british cheddars, packed to perfection for a unique taste

[vardoger]

Fantastic news, cheesepacker. Thanks.

I've emailed the company, so maybe I'll get some concrete info. on their plans re stockists and distributors in this area.

Can't wait to get to my hands on some of their coagulated milk products!

[papacciola]

NO, I've been trying to find one myself!