Come to Carr Valley Cheese if you are seeking an experience. This is one element of the company that continues to contribute to its excellence and legacy across the premium cheese category. With the growing popularity of its diverse product portfolio, Carr Valley has introduced a new member to its innovative cheese lineup: 2008 Vintage Cheddar.
“Our 2008 Vintage Cheddar offers an experience. It has the perfect balance of floral and fruity notes, a nice sharp Cheddar punch in the cheeks, and some nice tyrosine crystals,” Elle (Fearing) Williams, Director of Sales and Brand Development, shares with me. “Most important conversations happen around food, and we want customers to enjoy this cheese and ask each other, 'What were you doing in 2008?’ When you think about the time that this cheese has been stored away, it’s a bit shocking when you compare it to your own life.”
As the perfect addition to a Cheddar-tasting flight and good conversation, this product is available in 2 x 5 lb loaf cases, and 12 x 7 oz exact weight retail cases. Carr Valley can also do 20 x 8 oz random weight cases.
When I ask Elle what inspired the product's creation, she shares Master Cheesemaker Sid Cook’s story with me.
“Sid is a fourth-generation master cheesemaker, certified in Cheddar. Cheddar has been made in his family for multiple generations and, in a sense, is the true essence of Carr Valley,” she says. “We’re still practicing old-world traditions in our plants in small, open vats. Although we continue to invent and innovate, it’s important at Carr Valley to keep the generational art and traditions to share with our customers.”
The new 2008 Vintage Cheddar also marks an amazing milestone in the company’s history. To date, Carr Valley has never released Cheddar older than 12 years old. Along with this milestone, Elle adds that it is fun to create some excitement going into the summer and fall holidays, and the company is truly impressed with how this cheese aged out.
“Aging cheese is somewhat unpredictable, so as soon as we graded it this spring, we knew we had to get this out to the market!” Elle expresses. “The world continues to advance and companies innovate, and there’s something special about going back to those comfort foods and flavors‚ like a traditional Cheddar. I love all cheeses, but I think a nice, mild Cheddar is still always number one for me! Traditional Cheddar is the true essence of art and history, and I don’t see that trend going away. In our retail stores, kids love to try Cheddar that is the same age as them, and now teenagers can too.”
So, what were you doing in 2008? Carr Valley would love to know.
