About Stinking Bishop
Stinking Bishop is a soft washed rind cheese made by Charles Martell & Son in Gloucestershire, England.
Charles Martell & Son have been making cheese at Hunts Court in Gloucestershire for nearly 50 years. Actually, Charles started by hand-milking his three Old Gloucester cows!
Made in Gloucestershire
At first, he used their milk to make a Double Gloucester. In fact, this was such a significant event for the community that it was featured on A Taste of Britain in 1973.
Despite the fact that their initial try was not very noteworthy, the little group persevered. And soon, they began making classic Gloucestershire cheeses. In 1978, they expanded their product line to include the good old-fashioned Single Gloucester, which had all but vanished by the 1970s.
As the years passed, they kept adding more cheeses. Nowadays, the offerings include the playful Slack ma Girdle and the gorgeous May Hill Green.
Cheese washed in perry
Stinking Bishop is well-known among cheese lovers for its unusual name. Actually, the term refers to both the pungency of the washed-rind cheese and the pear variety used to prepare the perry in which the cheese is washed.
During maturation, the affineur washes each wheel in perry. As a result, the cheese develops a sticky, pungent, pink rind. Underneath the rind, rests a wonderful soft, powerful cheese with a mousse-like texture.
Also, the perry contributes to the cheese’s distinctive meaty aroma and earthy flavour However, the flavour is not as pronounced as the aroma.
How to pair Stinking Bishop
This robust cheese requires a really robust pairing. Enjoy with a glass of Sauternes, a British sweet Cider or a Belgian Trappist Beer.
