Reypenaer XO Gouda: Aged Like A Cognac

Cheese Atlas — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 04:15:21 +0000

There’s aged Gouda, and then there’s Reypenaer XO. Meet the most mature cheese in the Reypenaer range, and let me tell you, you can expect fireworks!

Inspired by tradition

Reypenaer XO is a hard cheese made by Wijngaard Kaas in the Netherlands. The cheesemakers have adapted a traditional recipe for Gouda to make this unique cheese.

They exclusively use fresh milk from cows that are grass-fed during the summer months to make this cheese. The formed wheels are then taken to a 100 year old warehouse on the banks of Oude Rijn River for maturation.

A family secret

Moreover, the conditions within the warehouse are a well-guarded family secret. However, what is known, is that the walls of stone and floors and beams of wood contribute to a unique ripening environment for the cheese.

Overall, the range includes 3 different varieties: the “Young” at 12 months, the VSOP at 2 years and the XO Reserve, at 3 years! The family chose to use the same naming convention as Cognac and it is a very fitting analogy.

And then there's the XO

The 36 month XO Reserve has a distinct orange pâte that is crumbly and speckled with tyrosine crystals. Its aroma is sweet and grassy, with hints of walnut and cognac .

On the palate, it is incredibly complex with notes of butterscotch and caramel.

How to pair Reypenaer XO

Enjoy Reypenaer XO with a hearty stout, single malt whisky or barrel-aged gin. Overall, those robust pairings contrast beautifully with the sweetness of the cheese.

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