Our Christmas orders are now closed. You can still buy our Cheese Subscriptions to start in January, as well as book our courses and tasting events. If you want to purchase vouchers you can do so until the 20th December but please note that it can take up to 48 hours for the vouchers to be emailed to you as we process these manually.
We have a full counter of cheese in our shop in Pangbourne so you can still come in and purchase items in store
Price range: £4.05 through £24.30
Smoked Kirkham’s Lancashire is a truly exceptional cheese that builds on the traditional flavours of Lancashire while adding a smoky depth that takes it to new heights. With its luscious texture, tangy flavour, and smoky finish, this cheese presents a balanced and complex tasting experience. Whether you’re enjoying it on its own, with a glass of wine, or as part of a well-curated cheese board, Smoked Kirkham’s Lancashire is sure to impress.
Lancashire cheese is a British classic known for its crumbly, tangy character and deep roots in dairy tradition. For me, the Kirkhams have taken an already beautifully made cheese and enhanced it with the smoking. Smoked Kirkham’s Lancashire stands out amongst our smoked cheeses.
Lancashire cheeses are generally labelled Creamy or Tasty. Creamy cheeses are matured for 1 to 3 months, whereas Tasty cheeses are matured for 3 months to 1 year. Some factory-made variations call themselves Crumbly Lancashires; these tend to have a less refined flavour profile than the farmhouse cheeses.
Graham Kirkham is the 3rd generation of his family still using the classic methods that make this award-winning cheese so wonderful. With 100 dairy cows, a large new dairy has been built to meet demand for high-quality cheese.
The Kirkhams are now the last farmhouse in Lancashire still making raw-milk Lancashire cheese, which gives their cheese a real sense of authenticity. Everything is made by the Kirkhams themselves in Goosnargh, just north of Preston. Every step is done by hand, right there on the farm.
Lancashire cheese itself dates back to the 13th century, but it nearly vanished in recent times. During the Second World War, it was actually banned because it took longer to make than Cheshire and Cheddar. Back in 1939, there were 200 farms making creamy Lancashire cheese; after the war, they all stopped.
While Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese is best known for its smooth, crumbly texture and slightly tangy flavour, the smoked version of the cheese takes it to a new level of depth. This variation is created by smoking the cheese for 24 hours over oak chips, which impart a distinct smokiness without masking its natural flavours. The result is a creamy, rich cheese with a slightly firmer texture and a bolder, smokier finish that complements the traditional Lancashire’s tangy, buttery notes.
Smoked Kirkham’s Lancashire has a smooth, creamy texture, though it is slightly firmer than its un-smoked counterpart. It has the characteristic crumbly texture typical of Lancashire cheese, but the smoking process gives it a little more body and depth. When you cut into a wedge, you’ll notice the cheese is a pale yellow colour, with a slightly more golden shade near the rind, where the smoke has had the most influence.
Moving on to flavour, Smoked Kirkham’s Lancashire is focused on balance. You get that lovely smoky richness, but it never drowns out the tangy, buttery notes that make Lancashire cheese so moreish. The smoke brings a gentle earthiness that sits nicely alongside the creamy texture.
At first taste, you’ll experience the signature mild, buttery taste of Lancashire cheese, followed by the smoky depth that lingers on the palate. The texture is smooth and creamy, but with enough crumbly character to give the cheese a satisfying bite. It has a slight sharpness, but the smokiness softens the overall taste, making it more approachable for those who might find some other smoked cheeses too intense. The finish is slightly savoury with a hint of umami.
As you continue to enjoy the cheese, you’ll notice how the smokiness gradually deepens, providing a rich, rounded aftertaste without eclipsing the cheese’s creamy texture. This layered flavour profile makes Smoked Kirkham’s Lancashire a great cheese for pairing with a variety of foods and drinks.
Jen’s note: Smoked Kirkham’s Lancashire is a more recent addition to the Kirkham line-up, but it’s already become a bit of a favourite with anyone who loves a smoky cheese. It just goes to show that even the most traditional British cheeses can try something new and still keep their handmade, artisan feel.
Sizes and Prices
Storage Advice
Delivery and Collection
Ingredients (Allergens are listed in capitals)
MILK, salt, starter cultures, rennet, natural smoke
Normal opening Monday – Saturday 9am – 4pm until:
Sunday 22nd 9am – 4pm
Monday 23rd 9am – 4pm
Christmas Eve 9am – 12pm
Christmas Day Closed
Boxing Day Closed
Friday 27th Closed
Saturday 28th 9am – 4pm
Sunday 29th Closed
Monday 30th 9am – 2pm
Tuesday 31st 9am – 2pm
New Year’s Day Closed
Thursday 2nd January Closed
Friday 3rd 9am – 4pm then open as normal
After Christmas our courier delivery slots start from 8th January.
