After presenting at food shows across the country, we found a handful of crowd favorites that never cease to elicit a wow response from the guys. These cheeses are big and bold, perfect for snacking on whenever hunger calls. If you want to treat your favorite man to a sample of gourmet food (and what better gift for a guy?), these four cheeses are sure to satisfy! This assortment includes:

• Red Leaf Cheddar: The result of 150 years of cheddar-making experience, aged over 12 months, this Canadian cheddar is soft on the palate, yet bursts with a tangy finish. (8 oz.)
• Whiskey Blue:Whiskey Blue is aged with bourbon whiskey, which adds a smoky flavor. A spectacular unpasteurized Wisconsin Blue makes up the base of this cheese, which is then repeated washed down with sweet, smooth bourbon. (8 oz.)
• Bruder Basil: Bruder Basil is made in the tradition of Rauchkase, a smoked cheese typical of the region. Named after a man, not an herb, this specialty was originally produced by Trappist Monks in the abbey of Rotthalmunster. It is smoked over select beechwood embers, a process that lends Bruder Basil its unique flavor. (8 oz.)
• Piave Vecchio: Aged Piave is more intense, with a full-bodied flavor and developed character. A connoisseur's cheese. (8 oz.)

Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal or greater value.

This item is not packaged as a gift. If you would like the gift packaged version of this item, please click here.

Every Taste Value just $11.99 per pound (regular price $15.99).

The Italians are horrified by our usage of this, the world's most famous hard cheese. Here in the States, it is thought of as purely a grating cheese. The rest of the world savours Parmigiano Reggiano as a delicious, full-flavored eating cheese.

It began life seven centuries ago in the Italian provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, part of Bologna and part of Mantua. Nature blessed this zone with the most idealistic cattle grazing land to create the unique milk from the "Zone Tripica". The local cheese craftsmen took it from there, utilizing a totally natural process that has not changed for 700 years. No additives, no machinery, no gimmicks. Just sweet, fresh milk in its pristine state; the artisan's ancient skills and then nature's own good time (aged from 18 to 20 months). What you see today is just what the knights, serfs, saints and kings of old ate!

America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Illustrated have both voted igourmet.com's Parmigiano Reggiano #1 in their quest to find the best Parmesan in America today. "We preferred the igourmet regular and Vacche Rosse Parmigiano-Reggiano by a landslide, ranking them significantly higher than the other cheeses for complexity of flavor and appealing texture. And when we tasted the regular Parmigiano from igourmet against our supermarket cheeses, it was an easy winner."

• Made from unpasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 80 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

In the proud tradition of St. Patrick's Day, we are thrilled to present four of our favorite Irish cheeses in this carefully selected assortment. For decades, Irish cheeses were a secret; enjoyed only by our friends "across the pond". Now, we are lucky enough to carry these four cheeses.

• Cashel Blue: This wonderful farmhouse blue cheese hails from Tipperary. Using only fresh cows milk from their fresian herd, Louis and Jane Grubb have produced this masterpiece. Ideal for melting or after dinner with some port. (8 oz.)
• Dubliner tastes of a mature Cheddar, with the sweet aftertaste of Reggiano. Created by the Irish company Kerrygold and named after Ireland's capital city, this cheese shares traits with several well-known cheeses, but the combination creates a flavor that is completely unique. (8 oz.)
• Cahill Farm Cheddar with Porter Ale is a visually intriguing cheese. Mixed with dark porter ale during the cheesemaking process, this cheese has a marbled effect with dark brown veins. Imported from Ireland, it has a surprising meaty flavor and is obviously a perfect match for ale. (8 oz.)
• Our Shamrock Cheddar

• Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value.

This item is not packaged as a gift. If you would like the gift packaged version of this item please click here.

England is a land well suited to dairy farming. Its territory is relatively flat, thus good for grazing, and it has plenty of rainfall. This country produces over 500 distinct types of cheese, including the four we are featuring in this English Cheese Assortment.

• Denhay Mature Cheddar - Arguably the world's most famous cheese name, Cheddar is an authentic English cheese that has been copied all over the world. If you have never tasted authentic English Farmhouse Cheddar, you are in for a wonderful surprise. (8 oz.)
• Royal Blue Stilton - How could such an assortment not include England's beloved blue cheese? Creamy, tangy and eminently satisfying, our Royal Blue Stilton is perfect as a snacking cheese or as an ingredient. (8 oz.)
• Sage Derby - Don't be afraid of the green! Pulverized sage leaves are mixed with water then added to the curd of Derby cheese to create this striking example of English cheesemaking ingenuity. Mild and herbaceous, Sage Derby is the ultimate party cheese. (8 oz.)
• Cotswold - Also known as "Pub Cheese," Cotswold is the name given to this hearty cheese that combines Double Gloucester with flavorful bits of chive and onion. A harmonious blend of mellow, crumbly cheese and powerful vegetables, Cotswold is a terrific complement to the softer, more mild flavors on your cheese board. (8 0z.)

Assortment includes four 1/2 pound cuts of cheese.

• Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value.

This item is not packaged as a gift. If you would like the gift packaged version of this item please click here.

Along with their conquering armies, the Romans brought their cheese making expertise to England in the first century AD. But it was not until the sixteenth century when the cheese we know today as cheddar was so named. With such a long history, it's no surprise that cheddar is one of the world's favorite foods. So popular in fact, that almost every cheese-producing nation makes its own version. This assortment contains excellent examples from three continents:

• Denhay Mature English Cheddar: Denhay Cheddar is carefully matured and monitored until it is 11 months old when it is sold as premium West Country Farmhouse Cheddar. (8 oz.)
• Grafton Classic Reserve Cheddar: Grafton Classic Cheddar is an outstanding mature cheddar cheese selected for its pronounced flavor and smooth finish. This two year aged cheese is excellent when accompanied with dried fruits and nuts, crusty breads, and big wines. (8 oz.)
• Great Ocean Road Cheddar: This sharp white cheddar hails from Australia, where it is made from pure milk taken from cows that graze on lush pastures swept by winds from the Southern Ocean. (8 oz.)
• Red Leaf Cheddar: This entrant from North America has a firm texture and a sweet, honeyed flavor. Best enjoyed with ale and fruit, this cheddar is aged for over 12 months. (8 oz.)

Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value.

Fondue is a traditional Alpine specialty, blending the distinct flavors of three classic melting cheeses: Emmentaler, Gruyere, and Appenzeller. Careful amounts of white wine, Kirsch brandy and special spices are then added to create a delicious hot meal. With its bold flavor and creamy texture, fondue is perfect for a main meal or as an appetizer, and is always a hit when the weather turns cold. This set of gourmet cheeses includes the correct ratios to make a classic cheese fondue (see recipe).

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Just thinking about this assortment of four half-pound cuts of wonderful Dutch cheeses makes our mouths water. The Dutch are world famous for their cheesemaking prowess and these selections will show you why.

• Extra Aged Gouda: Ripened for a full 18 months to develop a nutty, caramel-like flavor, this is the Gouda the Dutch keep for themselves! It is always a crowd pleaser.
• Leyden: Dotted with cumin seeds, it is the rye bread of the cheese world. Wonderfully firm texture.
• Dorothea: A real specialty and an igourmet.com exclusive, this wonderful goat's milk cheese flavored with potato skins and basil oil will send your taste buds into fits of pleasure! Even people who claim to dislike goat cheeses love this one.
• Maasdam: Originally created in Norway, then perfected in Holland, Maasdam is Dutch for baby swiss. This cheese offers a sweet, nutty flavor with a wonderfully tangy aftertaste.

This assortment ships with one half-pound of each cheese selection.

Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with a similar item of equal value.

This item is not packaged as a gift. If you would like the gift packaged version of this item please click here.

Nestled in the rolling green hills of Borgotaro, Emilia-Romagna (Annibale Giovanni Ferrari's birthplace) this small cooperative produces a limited amount of Parmigiano Reggiano, so few that it took us three years to persuade them to allow us to sell their cheese in the U.S.! Parmigiano is made a strictly defined zone between Parma, Modena, Reggio-Emilia, Bologna and Mantua, where it has been produced for hundreds of years. A close knit network of 492 local caseificii in Emilia-Romagna and Lombardia has been granted the right to produce the protected Parmigiano-Reggiano. The Caseificio Sociale di Borgotaro, dairy 3090, is widely recognized in Italian food circles as the finest producer of Parmigiano Reggiano. It is situated highest amongst the pre-Appenine grasslands. The dairy's herds graze on nutritious, hearty grasses raised in the mountainous air. After the cows are milked, the cheesemakers at the Caseificio, breaking with tradition, insist on leaving much of the flavor-rich, high-fat cream in the whey, whereas most producers skim it off to sell it in liquid form, where it commands higher prices. Leaving a greater amount of this luscious mountain cream in the cheese creates a creamy Parmigiano with a clean milky palate and 28-month aging lends a pleasantly milky finish.

This chevre, perfect for the summer, is fresh and creamy with a slightly sharp and lightly acidic flavor. The creators of this delightful cheese have added a flavorful twist to the traditional goat log by topping it with cranberries and cinnamon. The tanginess of the cranberries, combined with the warm spiciness of cinnamon, creates a uniquely festive cheese that could not be more ideal for entertaining.

• Suitable for vegetarians.
• Made from goat's milk.
• Whole form of cheese is 4.6 oz.

Saint Marcellin and its cousin Saint Felician are small, supple cow's milk cheeses from Dauphine in southern France. When young, Saint Marcellin has a soft, creamy texture and slight mushroomy aroma. The small wheels are so young and tender, in fact, that they must be packaged in a small terracotta pot. As it ages, this cheese becomes firm and salty.

Chabichou du Poitou is one of the older French cheeses. It has won name-protection (DOP), guaranteeing the authenticity of its origin. It is made in the very limited geographic area above the chalky soils of the threshold of Poitou, halfway between Paris and Bordeaux. The size of a wine tumbler, Chabichou has a crinkly skin and nice, dense, chalky paste that melts in the mouth. Firm and complex with a lingering, tangy finish, Chabichou pairs well with Pouilly-Fume, Sancerres and Muscadets from the region in addition to Sauvignon Blanc. One piece weighs approximately 6 ounces.

Epoisses is a perennial favorite of fans of strong-smelling cheese. This classic cow's milk cheese originates from Burgundy and has been made in the small town of Epoisses since the late 1700s. In order to develop the characteristic dark orange rind, Epoisses is washed with brine for several weeks then finished with wine or brandy. In the Artisanal Premium Cheese caves, we continue the Affinage process, washing our Epoisses several times with Burgundy brandy. This extra washing deepens the flavors of the cheese and guarantees a spoonable, silky paste. One piece weighs approximately 10 ounces.

Every Taste Value just $5.99 per pound (regular price $6.99).

The first truly new and unique fruit to be discovered since the kiwi in the 1970's, Peppadew is not only rich in flavor but also has great nutritional benefits. Whole sweet piquante peppers from South Africa's northern provinces are blended with a secret recipe that makes every juicy mouthful simply unforgettable. Quite unlike anything we've ever eaten, this unusually tasty treat is delicious served with almost anything. We especially love it with a simple goat cheese salad. Available in mild and hot for those who like their peppers with a little more heat.

Varieties sold separately.

Is it a trick or a treat? This depends on who you present it to. A definite treat for the adventurous cheese connoisseur, but a trick to the timid. Each cheese in the assortment offers an unusual color and a bold, unique flavor.

• Huntsman: Huntsman is the marriage of two delicious British classics, Double Gloucester and Blue Stilton, brought together through a complex layering process. (8 oz.)
• Cheddar with Thai Curry: While it might sound like an unusual combination, the sharp English cheddar easily carries the savory, spicy flavor of the curry. The spices used are coriander, turmeric, salt, allspice, ginger, fenugreek, garlic, pepper, cumin, and bay leaves. (8 oz.)
• Basiron Pesto: Basiron is a creamy-tasting, gouda-style Dutch cheese jazzed up with pesto. Perfectly balanced and extremely addictive! (8 oz.)
• Aged Mimolette: A French version of Edam, it is bright orange in color and sweet in flavor. Slice thinly. (8 oz.)
• Charcoal Crackers:Tasty black crackers designed by the cheese gurus from The Fine Cheese Co. in England. (5.3 oz.)

Please note that any item temporarily out of stock will be substituted with another "scary" cheese of equal value.

This item is not packaged as a gift. If you would like the gift packaged version of this item, please click here.

Every Taste Value just $5.99 per pound (regular price $6.99).

The first truly new and unique fruit to be discovered since the kiwi in the 1970's, Peppadew is not only rich in flavor but also has great nutritional benefits. Whole sweet piquante peppers from South Africa's northern provinces are blended with a secret recipe that makes every juicy mouthful simply unforgettable. Quite unlike anything we've ever eaten, this unusually tasty treat is delicious served with almost anything. We especially love it with a simple goat cheese salad. Available in mild and hot for those who like their peppers with a little more heat.

Varieties sold separately.

One of France's classics. Made in the Alps in gigantic 80-pound wheels. Very versatile.

Fromage de Meaux is a Brie-style cheese from Seine-et-Marne, France. When ripe, its rind breaks at the slightest touch, allowing the beautiful, hay-colored, almost liquid paste to ooze out. The flavor of Fromage de Meaux is deeper and gamier than the mass-produced Bries currently available, with wild flavors of fresh butter, borage, and white pepper.

Until the 19th Century this perennial favorite was known as Valais. Taking its modern name from the French verb racler (to scrape), Raclette is now one of the most popular mountain cheeses worldwide. Made from whole, unpasteurized cow's milk, this raclette is typically aged three to four months. Smoother than gruyere, Raclette has a creamy and supple texture with fruity undertones that intensify when melted. A little firmer than its French counterpart, our Swiss Raclette is great served with Bunderfleisch or cured ham. Traditionally served with kirsch or beer.

• Made from unpasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts half of a 10 lb. wheel.
• We cut and wrap this item by the pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

Based in Busche, a town in the Province of Belluno, Italy, Lattebusche is a cooperative that has been active in the dairy industry for more than 40 years. Busche is a pristine area rich in grazing land that has always been naturally devoted to cattle farming. Characterized by extremely cold weather with plenty of snowfalls in winter and short, cool summers, the Province of Belluno is a typical alpine environment.

Made from a blend of goat and cow's milk, this cheese has a distinctive flavor. Sweet when young, it becomes more and more intense with age. It can be eaten on its own as a second course; cut into cubes to prepare salads; or used as a decoration for starters made with raw vegetables.

• Made from pasteurized cow and goat's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 4 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

Long known as "The King of Cheeses", Blue Stilton is one of a handful of British cheeses granted the status of a "protected designation origin" (PDO) by the European Commission. Only cheese produced in the three counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire and made according to a strict code may be called Stilton. There are just six dairies licensed to make Stilton, each being subject to regular audit by an independent inspection agency accredited to European Standard EN 45011.

To be called Stilton, a cheese must:

• be made only in the three counties from local milk which is pasteurized before use.
• be made only in a traditional cylindrical shape.
• be allowed to form its own crust or coat.
• be un-pressed.
• have delicate blue veins radiating from the center.
• have a taste profile typical of Stilton.

Made by the Long Clawson dairy, this product is perfect for snacking and as a part of the cheese course, but also is a wonderful cheese for salads and cooking.

• Made from pasteurized cow's milk.
• Photo depicts whole 8 lb. form of cheese.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

For Cheddar Cheese Curd lovers everywhere, this is a dream come true. Cedar Grove Cheese offers their 12-ounce bag of delicious, nutritious cheddar cheese curds. Three 12 ounce bags. Cheese curds should be eaten within 3-4 days of receiving them. They do not contain preservatives.

The classic creaminess of goat cheese meets the sophisticated flavor of truffle in this delectable combination of intense flavors. Complex and balanced with a tangy edge, this cheese has a unique flavor sure to delight any palate.

1/2 pound package of a fantastic fresh natural white cheddar curds flavored with Cajon Seasong. Delicate, creamy-white mild white cheddar. No coloring. Perfect for snacking, hot soups, chili or battered and deep fried.

This young version of Grana Padano has a distinctly sweeter, fruitier flavor than the traditional Oro Del Tempo. This sweetness makes it the perfect table cheese to serve with fruit or fresh bread, or drizzled with honey or an aged balsamic. For a luscious treat, lightly warm this cheese and serve over a salad of mixed greens, grilled radicchio, and a splash of vincotto. The richness of the Grana Padano Fresco will temper the bitterness of the radicchio, while the vincotto's depth brings the dish together.

Petit Mothais is a mild goat's milk cheese in a small wheel that comes from Poitou-Charentes; it is made with a natural white geotrichum rind and has a buttery texture. While aging it develops more of the goat flavor and forms some blue spots on the rind, which is natural in unfiltered goat's milk cheese.

The 4 cheese sampler plus: Malagon with Rosemary, Dorothea, Camembert & White Stilton with Mango-Ginger

Skilled artisans hand craft Monte Veronese Latte Interno in Lessinia, the picturesque mountain area above Verona. Lessinia uniquely represents almost all the climactic zones existing in Italy. Monte Veronese is a typical Italian table cheese produced only with full-cream cow's milk. It is a semi-hard, semi-cooked, white or slightly straw-colored cheese with a scattering of tiny, diffused holes. Monte Veronese is aged approximately 60 days to create a sweet, yet delicate and pleasant flavor.

• Made from unpasteurized cow's milk.
• We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound.
• Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole 20 lb. form.

Royal George cheese is named after the founder of the cheesemakers' English dairy. It was in 1957 that George Kenyon started to make his traditional English cheeses in the ancient market town of Garstang, where the ruins of the royalist Greenhalgh Castle (c1490) stand.

The sons of George, Neil and John, have since been producing Kosher cheese for the UK market and are now the leading UK Kosher cheese producers under the Chevington label. Royal George cheeses are the first ever English cheeses to be certified Kosher by the O.U. and the varieties available are Cheddar, Red Leicester and Double Gloucester.

The cheese is Cholov Yisroael and is suitable for Passover. It is made to the very highest of standards to be delicious and flavorsome and was available at Kosherfest 2004 for us to sample for the first time. The launch of Royal George label at Kosherfest is the event of the year for this English Cheesemaker.

The adjective "double" refers to the fact that the traditional recipe for the cheese relies upon the milk from both morning and evening milkings. Double Gloucester has a flavor somewhere between Cheshire and Aged Cheddar. It has a hard, close, satiny texture and a pronounced but mellow taste that holds up well in cooking.

• Made from cow's milk.
• Kosher for Passover by the O.U.
• Photo depicts whole 7.1 oz. form of cheese.

This cheese has a slightly misleading name as it has nothing to do with the county of Shropshire. In fact, it originated in Scotland in the 1920s before its production was transferred to Leicestershire. Shropshire Blue came about from a man named Dennis Biggins, who actually made his living grading another famously orange cheese, Cheshire. Made in a similar way to Stilton, it is a soft cheese with a sharp, strong flavor that takes between six to eight weeks to mature. Orange in color with blue veining, it enjoys a slightly tangy aroma. A delicious accompaniment to Shropshire Blue worth trying is a simple cup of tea - making it ideal for an afternoon or early evening snack. Made from pasteurized cow's milk. Suitable for vegetarians. Photo depicts whole 9 lb. form of cheese. We cut and wrap this item by the 1/2 pound. Please contact us if you would like to purchase the whole form.

Langres is a French washed-rind cow's milk cheese with a dense texture and rich, creamy flavor offering distinct notes of sour milk and a long finish. Unlike many strong, pungent washed-rind cheeses, Langres is milder and more delicate. Its dimpled top and vibrant, orange rind make a striking appearance and beautiful presentation.