The Grocery Store Cheese Brand That Just Won “Best In America” Is Not What You Expect

Kiersten Hickman
Kiersten Hickman
published Jul 11, 2024
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Cheese section at grocery store.
Credit: Mara Weinraub

Calling all cheese-lovers! If you’re a fan of cheese and are always on the hunt for the best brand to buy, then we have news for you: a popular U.S. brand was recently named the Best Cheese in the United States at the International Cheese and Dairy Awards (ICDA), and it’s a brand that’s easy to grab at your local grocery store: Tillamook’s Farmers’ Collection Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar.

Tillamook’s cheddar claimed the esteemed “Best USA Cheese in Any Variety” in the ICDA’s 2024 Class Results, followed by Carr Valley Cheese Co.’s sheep, goat, and cow milk cheese, as well as Cabot Creamery’s Alpine Cheese. This major win comes right after Tillamook’s win of Best Sharp Cheddar at the 2024 World Championship Cheese Contest.

The Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar is labeled as a “bold cheddar balanced with notes of savory smokiness.” This cheese is cold-smoked for nine hours in 100 percent pure hickory wood smoke, then aged for 15 months, giving this creamy, buttery cheese a sweet, smoky, and nutty finish.

Along with this major title, Tillamook also won 12 other awards in their class results for their other quality products, including three of their Cream Cheese Spreads (Strawberry, Garden, and Chive and Onion), their Block Cream Cheese, and their 2019 Aged White Cheddar. The awards included over 5,500 entries, so to have 13 wins in a variety of categories is a huge win for this USA-based dairy producer. Based on our rave reviews of their products, we couldn’t agree more.

“For 115 years, [Tillamook County Creamery Association] has been committed to making extraordinary dairy, and it’s an honor to be recognized at a show as prestigious as the International Cheese and Dairy Awards,” said Jill Allen, Director of Product Excellence, TCCA, in a press release about the awards. “We are proud to be among the best cheesemakers in the world. I am so excited to be a part of TCCA’s legacy of quality, innovation, and dairy delight.”

Tillamook Creamery is located in Tillamook, Oregon where they produce and package all of their dairy products including cheese, ice cream, yogurt, sour cream, butter, and even a variety of frozen meals. You can find Tillamook products at every major grocery store across the United States.