15-year-old Wisconsin Cheddar goes on sale

Aged cheese is a goumet’s delight. Fifteen-year-old cheddar that hasn’t turned bitter or acidic is a rare treat, albeit pricy, for the discriminating cheese lover.

Selling for $50 a pound, the cheese produced by Hook’s Cheese Co. in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, is perhaps the oldest aged cheese being sold in the United States, said the company’s owner Tony Hook.

"It started moving a lot faster than we expected," said Hook, 57, who — along with his wife and brother — runs Hook's Cheese Co. "People have been so excited about it."

The cheese, first produced in 1994, was part of a 5,200-pound batch that was allowed to mellow for quite a while. Large chunks were sold at the 10- and 12-year marks, but were thought to be aging so well with a deep, rich, smooth flavor they decided to hold the remaining 1,200 pounds and let it age a little longer, Hook said.

"Fifteen years is a good stretch of time to hold a cheddar — perhaps as long as a cheddar can hold for most people's palates," said John Umhoefer, executive director of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. "Making a cheddar that ripe, without it turning bitter or acidic, is a rare skill."

A few selected outlets are selling the cheese and so far it’s doing well, Hook said. One customer, Mrian Morello purchased a ¾-pound chunk of the vintage cheddar and said of his purchase:

"Cheese making is an art form, I consider my purchase to be a form of cheese philanthropy. For $50, I supported the arts and got a great piece of cheese."