CABOT, Vt. — The results of the 2013 American Cheese Society (ACS) Competition have been announced, and Cabot Creamery Cooperative has continued its award-winning legacy. The New England and upstate New York farm-family owned dairy cooperative – widely known as the maker's of "The World's Best Cheddar" – received eight awards, including four 1st place ribbons. This year's string of blue-ribbon finishes bring Cabot's total to 15 first place awards in the past five years.
One of the big winners was Cabot Clothbound Cheddar, a rich and buttery "English-style" cheddar produced in collaboration with The Cellars at Jasper Hill. A former "Best of Show" winner, this is the sixth ribbon Cabot Clothbound has won in eight years at the ACS Competition, and its third first place finish. The Cellars at Jasper Hill, Cabot's partners and Clothbound's affineurs, also had an amazing showing at this year's awards. The Vermonters received five ribbons – including three blue ribbons – and the coveted "Best of Show" award for their Winnimere, a take on soft and decadent mountain cheeses.
Also taking first place honors were Cabot Sharp Extra Light Cheddar, Cabot Jalapeno Light Cheddar, and Cabot Tuscan Cheddar. Cabot Sharp Extra Light has won five ribbons during the past seven years, including two blue ribbons. Continuing its winning ways, Jalapeno Light Cheddar received its fifth straight ribbon, which include three blue ribbons, making it the current Cabot leader for longest ACS Award winning streak. While Tuscan Cheddar has won the silver medal three of the past four years, this is the first year it has received the 1st place blue ribbon.
Proving once again that the New England and Upstate New York based cooperative is more than just cheddar, Cabot's Vanilla Bean Greek-Style Yogurt and 83 European Style Butter both received silver medals. While Cabot's yogurt won second place, it was the competition's top scoring Greek-Style yogurt. Cabot 83 European Style Butter's second place award marks the 18th ribbon for Cabot butters in the past eight years. Cabot sister brand McCadam also received a second place finish for their Muenster.
Third place awards were given to Cabot Monterey Jack and Cabot Old School Cheddar.
"I would like to extend my congratulations to all of the extremely dedicated and talented farmers, cheese makers, and Agri-Mark employees whose efforts have helped our cooperative once again achieve such outstanding results," says Dr. Richard Stammer, President & CEO of Agri-Mark. "The American Cheese Society Competition is North America's premiere event for artisan and specialty cheese, and we are once again honored to have received so many awards."
This year's nine ribbons bring the cooperative's award count to 86 since 2000, including 32 blue ribbon awards and the "Best of Show" honor for Clothbound Cheddar in 2006.
This year's American Cheese Society Competition, held in Madison, Wisconsin, was the largest ever, seeing 257 companies submit nearly 1,800 different products. The ACS is a not-for-profit trade organization that supports the North American artisan and specialty cheese industry, providing services while striving to raise the quality and availability of cheese in North America.
CABOT AND MCCADAM AWARD RECOGNITIONS:
1st PLACE AWARDS
- Cheddar Wrapped in Cloth, Linen – Aged Up to 12 Months – All Milks 1st Place, Cabot Clothbound Cheddar
- Low Fat / Low Salt Cheeses 1st Place, Cabot Sharp Extra Light Cheddar
- Cheddar with Flavor Added – All Milks 1st Place, Cabot Tuscan Cheddar
- Reduced Fat Cheese with Flavor Added – All Milks 1st Place, Cabot Jalapeno Light Cheddar
2nd PLACE AWARDS
- Yogurt and Cultured Products with Flavor Added – All Milks 2nd Place, Cabot Lowfat Vanilla Bean Greek-Style Yogurt
- Unsalted Butter with or without Cultures – Made from Cow's Milk 2nd Place, Cabot 83 European Style Butter
- Brick Muenster – Made from Cow's Milk 2nd Place, McCadam Muenster
3rd PLACE AWARDS
- Monterey Jack – Made from Cow's Milk 3rd Place, Cabot Monterey Jack
- Mature Cheddar – Aged Over 48 Months – All Milks 3rd Place, Cabot Old School Cheddar
ABOUT CABOT CREAMERY COOPERATIVE Cabot Creamery Cooperative has been in continuous operation in Vermont since 1919, and makes a full line of cheeses, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese and butter. Widely known as makers of "The World's Best Cheddar," Cabot is owned by the 1200 dairy farm families of Agri-Mark, the Northeast's premier dairy cooperative, with farms located throughout New England and upstate New York. For more information on Cabot, visit: http://www.cabotcheese.coop.
Cabot Creamery Cooperative is the world's first cheese maker and dairy cooperative to achieve B Corporation Certification, a validation of its attention to environmental and social impacts on stakeholders.
Source: Cabot Creamery Cooperative