Cypress Grove, who I probably rave about enough to merit a restraining order, is mainly a goat-cheese operation. While it's true that their products coming out of California all use goat milk, they have a secretive and downright delicious side project at an off-shore base that creates two top of the line cheeses, including today's sheep's milk offering.
The location of the base, the lovely region of Holland, may not actually be a secret, but that does not make the cheeses any less exciting. Lamb Chopper is a young to middle aged sheep's milk Gouda that tastes so good you'll forget about the terrible pun on the label.
Origin: Holland
Milk: Sheep, pasteurized
Rennet: Vegetarian
Affinage: 4-6 months
Notes: Both the cheeses produced in Holland for Cypress Grove are labeled with the Creamline designation and both are Gouda-style cheeses, the other called Midnight Moon being a goat's milk Gouda.
Thoughts: With a flavor strongly reminiscent of a young manchego but less oily, this is truly a strong entry into the sheep's milk category. On Cypress Grove's website they joke that Lamb Chopper was Born to be Mild, here it helps if you followed the above link, and while this is true it's a well developed and nuanced mildness that is sure to please. Sweet and fruity tones captivate at first, thanks to the relative youth of the cheese, and are followed in turn by the more familiar grassy tang of sheep's milk. The end of the taste is a little heavier on the palate than one would expect but the hearty, simple, and straightforward beauty of this Gouda is to be admired. A thoroughly satisfying sheep's milk cheese that avoids the earthy dark flavor of its Spanish cousins in favor of a lighter approach, Lamb Chopper is sure to please and is mild enough to be a great introduction to the world of sheep's cheese.
Caution
Both Lamb Chopper and its brother Midnight Moon suffer from spotty availability in stores due to their far-away origins and the trouble of making such a high quality product. When you see a wheel or a sample of either you would do well to jump on the opportunity and try it, they do not disappoint.
The location of the base, the lovely region of Holland, may not actually be a secret, but that does not make the cheeses any less exciting. Lamb Chopper is a young to middle aged sheep's milk Gouda that tastes so good you'll forget about the terrible pun on the label.
Milk: Sheep, pasteurized
Rennet: Vegetarian
Affinage: 4-6 months
Notes: Both the cheeses produced in Holland for Cypress Grove are labeled with the Creamline designation and both are Gouda-style cheeses, the other called Midnight Moon being a goat's milk Gouda.
Thoughts: With a flavor strongly reminiscent of a young manchego but less oily, this is truly a strong entry into the sheep's milk category. On Cypress Grove's website they joke that Lamb Chopper was Born to be Mild, here it helps if you followed the above link, and while this is true it's a well developed and nuanced mildness that is sure to please. Sweet and fruity tones captivate at first, thanks to the relative youth of the cheese, and are followed in turn by the more familiar grassy tang of sheep's milk. The end of the taste is a little heavier on the palate than one would expect but the hearty, simple, and straightforward beauty of this Gouda is to be admired. A thoroughly satisfying sheep's milk cheese that avoids the earthy dark flavor of its Spanish cousins in favor of a lighter approach, Lamb Chopper is sure to please and is mild enough to be a great introduction to the world of sheep's cheese.
Caution
Both Lamb Chopper and its brother Midnight Moon suffer from spotty availability in stores due to their far-away origins and the trouble of making such a high quality product. When you see a wheel or a sample of either you would do well to jump on the opportunity and try it, they do not disappoint.
Great review! I've been wanting to try Lamb Chopper cheese for a long time. I couldn't find any in stores near me so I ordered some at https://www.gourmet-food.com/cheese/lamb-chopper-cheese-1000359.aspx. When it arrived I tried some with crackers and it was absolutely delicious. I loved the rich flavor and somewhat sweet and nutty taste. Definitely a cheese I will have again.
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