Schullsburg Creamery – Bourbon Barrel Smoked Cracked Black Pepper Cheddar

From the gently rolling farmland of southwestern Wisconsin comes this bold, handcrafted cheddar from Schullsburg Creamery, a family-owned creamery established in 1922. Located in Lafayette County near the Illinois border, Schullsburg sits in a region shaped by Swiss immigrants who brought generations of cheesemaking expertise to what is now one of America’s most respected dairy-producing areas. The fertile pastureland and temperate climate create ideal conditions for dairy cows, producing rich, high-quality milk that serves as the foundation for the creamery’s award-winning cheeses.

This Bourbon Barrel Smoked Cracked Black Pepper Cheddar begins with pasteurized Wisconsin cow’s milk and is aged to develop depth and structure. It is then naturally cold-smoked over reclaimed bourbon barrel staves, allowing subtle notes of toasted oak and faint caramelized sweetness to permeate the cheese. A generous coating of freshly cracked black pepper completes the process, adding aromatic warmth and bold contrast to the cheddar’s creamy, sharp core.

Golden in color with a firm, slightly crumbly texture, this cheddar offers immediate aromatic intensity. Notes of hardwood smoke rise first, followed by warm spice from freshly cracked pepper. On the palate, rich, sharp cheddar tang unfolds into layers of caramelized nuttiness and savory depth. The bourbon barrel smoking imparts subtle sweetness and toasted oak character without overwhelming the cheese’s natural dairy richness.

The cracked black pepper provides a lively counterpoint — bold, earthy, and slightly floral — creating a dynamic balance between smoke, spice, and creamy sharpness. The finish is long and warming, with lingering pepper heat and a whisper of sweet oak.

Exceptional on a charcuterie board, shaved over burgers, or melted into mac and cheese. Pair with bourbon, porter, smoked porter, or a bold Zinfandel.