While we lived in Montreal, we used to get a 12-year old cheddar from a company in Ontario. I can't recall the company's name. We had to drive 40 miles to get it directly from the company's outlet on Saturday morning. It was divine. It cost the earth, it was impossible to slice an even piece because it crumbled as the knife sliced through it, but it was the stuff dreams were made of.
I got that 8 year old cheese at Costco before Christmas, along with a wedge of Swiss, Stilton, a chunk of Parmesan, feta, St-André and some cammembert. Costco is the best place to get some good cheese, IMHO. I am always disappointed with the lack of choice in my grocery store's dairy department. They stock what sells. Most of what they stock is run of the mill cheese, often bagged, grated or shredded: yellow cheddar, Colby, Jack, alleged Swiss, cardboard Parmesan and cream cheese. There is nothing you could use in there to make a cheese platter with fresh fruit, a glass of wine and a baguette.
Take care, everyone.
Sylvain.
