This Popular Tillamook Cheese Just Took Home Gold at the World Cheese Awards

While I love to serve a cheese board any time of the year—or making one for myself as a little “Girl Dinner”—my cheese consumption tends to ramp up during the final two months of the year. Between Friendsgivings, Thanksgiving, and all the holiday parties, a charcuterie board makes an appearance at practically every event I host. Because of that, I’m always on the hunt for the best of the best cheeses to give my guests.

I have dozens of cheese brands I trust, like Tillamook, Kerrygold, Sartori, and even Aldi’s in-house brands, but it’s always nice to get some inspiration on which flavors to buy outside the classic Cheddars and Gouda.

So, if you’re in the market for some cheese this winter, but aren’t sure which one to try, why not listen to the experts? The 2025 World Cheese Awards (WCA) has just named its top cheeses and, while a Murray’s Cheese favorite was recognized as one of the top 14 in the world, one of Tillamook’s cheeses also brought home gold.

Tillamook’s Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar  Wins Gold at World Cheese Awards

Tillamook’s Farmers’ Collection is no stranger to awards. In fact, eight of the nine cheeses in the collection—aside from the newly released Truffle White Cheddar—have been recognized with awards over the years. But the Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar may just be its most-awarded cheese. It won bronze at last year’s WCA before its gold recognition this year, and was also named Best USA Cheese at the 2024 International Cheese and Dairy Awards (ICDA). 

The Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar is beloved for its bold 15-month-aged flavor and smoky, savory notes.

In addition to the Farmers’ Collection cheese’s gold win, Tillamook’s Maker’s Reserve Extra Sharp 2019 took home a silver medal and its Tillamook Extra Sharp White Cheddar won bronze.

Tillamook’s cheeses can be found at grocery retailers nationwide and on Amazon Fresh. Typically, its standard line of cheese, which includes an Extra Sharp White Cheddar, is pretty easy to find, while its Farmers’ Collections and Maker’s Reserve tend to be trickier. You can order both the Farmers’ Collection and Maker’s Reserve options on Tillamook’s site as well as buy them directly from the brand’s Oregon creamery—but, keep your eyes out in the grocery store because sometimes they pop up.

Ordering cheese online may seem extreme, but, if the experts say it’s worth it, then the gold medal cheese will certainly be on my charcuterie board this holiday season.