Patience
Makes Perfect
The Maker's Sharpness Secret
A nutty nose with brown butter and caramel aromas yields to dense, creamy textures and flavors of custard and sweet cream in the 2019 Maker’s Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar. Balanced with subtle salty, umami notes and a delicate smattering of crystals, this vintage is notable for its clean, nuanced palette that’s imprinted with the unique flavors of the region.
Aromatic hazelnut and caramel prepare your palate for the dense, custardy flavors of 2019. Enjoy it on a bed of shortbread or seasoned pecans and top off the perfect bite with an ice cold pilsner or vodka martini.
Visual: Naturally white, solid body
Aroma: Cheddar, hazelnuts, custard
Flavor profile: Bright, custardy, umami
Texture: Creamy, dense, light crystals
A bold, nutty cheddar nose and flavors of sweet malt and barley are balanced with grassy notes of leek in 2018 Maker’s Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar. Short and crumbly, with intermittent crystals and a shattering texture, salty hints of umami and toasted walnuts are unmistakable.
2018’s buttery, toasty notes pair well with punchy and deep flavors. Pair 2018 with a dry prosecco or pilsner and hors d'oeuvres of fresh-shucked oysters or pâté. For a sweeter complement, serve 2018 with fresh farmer’s market blueberries.
Visual: Naturally white, solid body
Aroma: Toasted butternut, buttery, sweet malt, barley
Flavor Profile: Buttery, umami, floral
Texture: Short, dry, shatters, flaking, very few crystals
Bright acidity wrapped up in a rich, custardy finish would be a good way to describe 2017 Maker’s Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar. Rustic and pleasantly sharp notes turn creamy on the palate, beginning with lemon and a short texture that shatters then melts.
The richness, creaminess, and untamed flavors of 2017 call for bold, bright, and sweet pairings. For cocktail hour, 2017 interplays with chilled raspberry cider or a sweet pinot gris. For a bold, atypical cheeseboard, 2017 complements cured chorizo and spicy raspberry jam.
Visual: Naturally white, slight glossy, few tyrosine crystals
Aroma: Sharp cheddar, rich custard
Flavor profile: Rich custard, green broccoli, bright acid
Texture: Slight short, dry, creamy, very slight crystals
Deeply flavorful, with toasty, woody aromas offset set by the tart, brightness of cranberries, the 2016 Maker’s Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar has a lightly peppery finish. Ripe berry flavors carry through the creamy richness, complementing the earthiness and hint of roasted nuts that lingers on the finish.
2016’s complex range of earthy, peppery, yet bright flavors give this vintage a versatility for deep, bold, and spicy pairings. For happy hour, pair 2016 with a hard apple cider or pinot noir. For cheeseboards, 2016 contrasts nicely with sweet dried cherries or pepperoncini.
Visual: Naturally white, glossy, tyrosine crystals
Aroma: Cheddar, earthy, woody
Flavor profile: Roasted nut, woody, rich
Texture: Flakey, dominate crystals, creamy
Its opening notes of citrus (think grapefruit and lemon), black tea and sweet dark cherry undertones, and grassy, floral finish, announce unequivocally that 2015 Maker’s Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar continues to be a complex cheddar. Large crystals add an expected, audible crunch and delight the senses as much as its sauvage, bold flavor profile does.
This complex deeply textured cheddar calls for earthy & sweet counternotes. For an outstanding cheeseboard, plate an earthy Iberian Ham with 2015, sliced stone fruit, and a glass of riesling or chocolate stout. Craft the perfect sandwich with 2015 and honey ham and salted butter on a crispy baguette.
Visual: Naturally white, glossy, tyrosine crystals
Aroma: Cheddar, bright, savory
Flavor profile: Grapefruit, sauvage, black tea, cherry undertones
Texture: Dry, big crunch, flakey
Lush tropical flavors mingle with warm toasty notes of brown butter and macadamia nuts in our 2012 Maker's Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar. A shower of crystals, more than a decade in the making, burst onto the palate with a zing! crunch! and celebratory pop!
Crack open your favorite sour beer or kombucha and bring out the best in 2012's aromatic flavors and rich, crunchy bite. Add a side of wildflower honey and jardiniere for a sweet and savory complement. One taste of 2012 tells you we're serious about cheese—and this one's ready for the spotlight.
Visual: Naturally white, solid body
Aroma: Tropical stone fruit, honeysuckle, roasted macadamia nuts
Flavor profile: Fruity, umami, bright, floral
Texture: Shatters, large crystals, crunchy
Full of sweet fruity notes of apple, honey and pineapple, 2011 Maker’s Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar has matured into the boldest of cheddars. With a generous smattering of large, crunchy crystals and a texture that’s wonderfully short and dry, this one finishes with grassy flavors and creamy accents (leek and brioche). A decade in the making and worth the wait.
Pineapple, blueberries and brown sugar ham bring out the best of the 2011 vintage. Build a cheeseboard with ham and herbed nuts, paired with a bottle of Gewurztraminer. Or enjoy a brioche sandwich with honey mustard, ham and 2011 served with a petite madeleine and a glass of pineapple cider.
Visual: Natural white, glossy, tyrosine crystals
Aroma: Bold cheddar, fruit, honey, cream
Flavor profile: Custard, brioche, apples
Texture: Dry, shatters, very crunchy