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
£11.00
Oxford Isis is a deliciously soft cheese. It is washed in a honey mead which gives it a tangy, pungent rind. The cheese itself is relatively mild but it’s not one for the faint-hearted!
Oxford Isis is a celebrated cheese that hails from the heart of Oxfordshire, England. Renowned for its creamy texture and mild yet distinct flavour, this cheese has gained recognition among British artisanal cheeses. What sets Oxford Isis apart is its embodiment of the region’s rich agricultural heritage and its skilful, traditional cheesemaking process.
Oxford Isis cheese was first created in the early 2000s by the Oxford Cheese Company in Oxfordshire. The cheese was developed as a modern British take on European washed-rind cheeses such as Munster and Taleggio. To make something a bit unique, the Oxford Cheese Company experimented with different washes until they hit upon the perfect answer: mead! Mead is an alcoholic beverage fermented with three basic ingredients: honey, yeast, and water. It isn’t classified as beer or wine but stands apart in its own rank of alcoholic beverage.
Mead was referred to as the “nectar of the gods” by ancient Greeks. It was believed that mead was dew sent from the heavens and collected by bees. Mead is often associated with ancient cultures, such as the Vikings, Celts, and various European and African civilisations, but it has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, especially within the craft beverage movement. It’s versatile, with flavours ranging from sweet to dry, depending on how it is brewed and which ingredients are added.
The first thing you notice about Oxford Isis is its striking orangery-yellow, sticky rind. Then the aroma hits! I always try to politely describe it as savoury funk with a pungent tang. But once you get it past your nose and into your mouth, you realise that its bark is worse than its bite.
The flavours are initially sweet and fruity, and the more you delve into the cheese, the more pronounced they become. Brothy, umami notes start to kick in and then linger as you finish the mouthful.
Jen’s note: The name ‘Isis’ is a nod to local history, as the Thames is known as the Isis when it passes through Oxford. I love that the cheese carries this bit of Oxfordshire with it; it feels like more than just a cheese, but a little slice of heritage.
Sizes and Prices
Storage Advice
Delivery and Collection
Ingredients (Allergens are listed in capitals)
MILK, cultures, salt, rennet, mead (honey, yeast, water)
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.
