Description
Dambuster Cheddar Cheese
About Dambuster
Dambuster, a mature cheddar from Lancashire, immediately stands out for its distinctive wax coating and a bold story rooted in aviation history.
Dambuster isn’t your average supermarket cheddar. It’s made with care in small batches at Park Head Farm, using pasteurised cow’s milk and vegetarian rennet. The cheese is left to mature for about 18 months, which gives it that lovely depth of flavour and a creamy, firm bite. The wax coating on Dambuster isn’t just there to look pretty. It actually protects the cheese as it ages, keeping in the moisture and helping it develop that rich character.
The History
The Dambusters were made famous by Operation Chastise, which happened in May 1943. The RAF’s 617 Squadron tried to break large German dams in the Ruhr Valley to stop power, factories, and water. What stands out is the use of the famous “bouncing bombs,” designed by engineer Barnes Wallis. These bombs spun backwards and were dropped low over the water. This made them skip over the surface, avoid the torpedo nets, and hit the dams before sinking and exploding. The raid caused heavy flooding, but many crews were lost.
Dambuster – Jen’s Tasting Notes
As Dambuster matures, the flavour deepens and becomes more complex, but it never becomes too strong or crumbly. That’s what sets it apart from the younger or mass-produced cheddars.
The inside is a lovely creamy straw-yellow, set off by the deep black wax. You get clean, buttery flavours with a hint of earthiness, and as it matures, a bit of savoury aroma comes through. The texture is firm but still creamy, never too dry or crumbly. As it ages, it develops nutty and umami notes, and it finishes with a tang that lingers without overpowering.
It’s the sort of cheddar you can enjoy every day, but it’s still interesting enough to impress any cheese lover.
How to Serve and Pair Dambuster Cheddar
- Make sure you take it out of the fridge a good hour before you want to eat it so it can come up to room temperature.
- Classic pairings: The citrus flavours and hops in an IPA cut through the richness of the cheese, making it a great match.
- Something a little different: If you’re more of a red wine fan, a medium-bodied Merlot or Pinot Noir works really well with the earthy, nutty flavours.
- On the plate: Try it with some crusty bread for a simple yet ideal match that lets the cheese shine. Add in some sweet onion chutney to add vibrant contrast.
- In the kitchen: Try grating Dambuster over a gratin or mac and cheese; it adds a lovely creaminess.
Jen’s note: The theme tune to the the Dam Busters film is one of my favourite pieces of music. The iconic tune by Eric Coates is instantly recognisable
Buying Dambuster Cheddar
- Brand or Producer: Carron Lodge
- Product name: Dambster Cheddar
- Milk: Cow
- Country: England
- Region: Lancashire
- Strength: Medium to strong
- Vegetarian: Yes
- Suitable for pregnancy: Yes
- Allergens: MILK
Sizes and Prices
- 100g wedge, £2.60
- 500g wedge, £13.00
- Whole cheese (approx. 1.5kg), available to pre-order
Storage Advice
- Keep refrigerated
- Wrap in waxed paper or cling film
- Remove from the fridge before serving
- Consume within 10 to 14 days of opening
Delivery and Collection
- UK wide courier delivery
- Click and collect from our Pangbourne shop
- Free local delivery available for selected postcodes
Ingredients (Allergens are listed in capitals)
MILK, starter cultures, vegetarian rennet, salt
