27 September 2011, 10:41 AM
  • The results for the 2011 British Cheese Awards can reveal that the Supreme Champion was Kilree, made by Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese from Ireland

The overall winner of the 18th British Cheese Awards was ‘Kilree’, a semi-soft goat’s cheese made in Stoneyford , Co. Kilkenny.

Juliet Harbutt said of the cheese. “Beneath its fine orange slightly sticky, leathery rind is a smooth, pale ivory interior that breaks rather than crumbles into large flakes. The flavours are complex yet well balanced hinting of almonds and marzipan, characteristic of semi-soft goat cheeses and as these flavours fade they are replaced with hints of sea mist, and lush, green grass mingled with wild garlic and chives.

“No wonder this small cheese, only recently created, made such an impact on the judges and won two major awards before being selected Supreme Champion. Helen and the team at Knockdrinna, and of course the goats should be very proud,” she says.