Westcomb Cheddar "RAW" Neal’s Yard Dairy

Origin: Somerset, England

Milk: Raw Cow's Milk

Rennet Type: Animal rennet

Style:Cheddar

Classification: Farmhouse     

Shelf Life: 7-10 days, this product is cut to order

Goes well with: Traditional Cider, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Similar cheeses:Traditional clothbound Cheddars such as Bay of Fires, Montgomerys

Westcombe Dairy has been making cheddar this way since 1890. Today, cheesemaker Tom Calver continues this tradition while embracing regenerative farming and sustainable methods. The herd is now composed of lower-yield Dairy Shorthorns, better suited to produce rich, flavourful milk. Their underground cellar, cooled naturally by a spring running beneath the farm, allows each cheese to mature gently and develop complexity over time.

Tom and his team aim to produce “the most honest cheese” possible—one that speaks of its land, seasons, and heritage.

Flavour and Texture

Texture: Firm and dense, yet crumbly and yielding as it warms on the palate.

Flavour: Rich and savoury, with balanced layers of tang, umami, and a subtle minerality. Notes of buttery pasture, warm nuts, and fermented apple evolve into a lasting, mouth-filling finish. Depending on the batch and age, the cheese may reveal sharper citrus hints or deeper brothy undertones.

Aroma: Earthy and complex, with lactic notes and a faint grassy aroma from the clothbound rind.

Appearance

Wrapped in cloth and larded, the rind is rustic and natural. The interior paste is pale yellow, firm, and speckled with occasional small calcium crystals—a sign of well-aged, traditional cheddar.

Pairing Suggestions

Serve with: Fresh pears, apple chutney, roasted hazelnuts, or crusty bread.

Wine: English sparkling wine, a robust cider, or a well-structured Pinot Noir. For beer lovers, try with a bitter ale or a farmhouse saison.

A Cheddar with Soul

Westcombe Cheddar is more than a cheese—it’s the taste of a living landscape, handcrafted with care and matured with patience. In a world of uniformity, it is proudly individual. Whether featured on a cheeseboard or grated into a hearty dish, it’s a cheese that leaves a lasting impression.

Ingredients: Raw cow's milk, salt, cultures, animal rennet.