Award-Winning Cheeses to Try This National Cheese Day

Award-Winning Cheeses to Try This National Cheese Day

National Cheese Day is the perfect time to try something new. These award-winning cheeses showcase the craftsmanship, flavor, and creativity that make the cheese world so exciting—from cave-aged classics to bold modern creations.

Fennel Blue

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company – Point Reyes Station, California

Fans of Point Reyes’ beloved Bay Blue have another reason to celebrate. Fennel Blue starts with the same natural-rind blue cheese before fennel seeds are added to create an entirely new flavor experience.

The result is rich and creamy with sweet, spicy fennel notes that enhance both the cheese’s natural sweetness and its savory umami depth. It’s an unexpected combination that somehow feels perfectly balanced. For a pairing that lets the flavors shine, enjoy it alongside a crisp gin and tonic.

Marieke Gouda Aged, 9–12 Months

Marieke Gouda – Thorp, Wisconsin

Since bringing her Dutch cheesemaking traditions to Wisconsin in 2006, cheesemaker Marieke Penterman has earned a devoted following and a long list of awards.

Marieke Gouda Aged spends nine to twelve months maturing on pine planks, developing a rich, nutty character and the signature crunchy crystals that cheese lovers chase. Made from raw cow’s milk produced by the farm’s own herd, it delivers bold flavor while remaining approachable enough for nearly any cheese board.

Kaltbach Appenzeller

Emmi Group – Lucerne, Switzerland

Some cheeses have one claim to fame. Kaltbach Appenzeller has two.

The first is a closely guarded herbal brine recipe used to treat the wheels during production, creating distinctive savory and aromatic flavors. The second is its aging environment: the natural sandstone Kaltbach Cave, where carefully selected wheels mature in mineral-rich conditions that help shape the cheese’s exceptional character.

Complex, savory, and beautifully refined, this Swiss standout is a memorable addition to any National Cheese Day spread.

Petit Agour

Agour – Hélette, France

Proof that great things come in small packages, Petit Agour is a petite sheep’s milk wheel with impressive flavor.

Aged for at least three months in the French Basque Country, it features a striking orange rind and a buttery yet firm interior. Sweet and nutty notes mingle with the gentle lanolin character that makes sheep’s milk cheeses so distinctive.

For an elegant presentation, shave it into rosettes using a girolle and serve alongside cherry preserves, fresh figs, and a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc.

Maple Bourbon Goat Cheese

LaClare Creamery – Malone, Wisconsin

No National Cheese Day lineup feels complete without a little indulgence.

LaClare Creamery’s award-winning Maple Bourbon Goat Cheese blends aromatic barrel-aged bourbon notes with a touch of Vermont maple syrup, creating a flavor combination that feels tailor-made for cooler weather but is welcome year-round.

Creamy, sweet, and slightly savory, it’s excellent spread on burgers topped with bacon and onion jam or crumbled over warm spiced nuts for an easy entertaining snack.

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