Perthshire cheese with a whisky twist is a hit at farmers' markets

An artisanal Perthshire cheese made with Glenturret whisky has been a hit at farmers' markets as food and drink lovers get a taste for mixing two home-grown delicacies in one bite.

Strathearn from Strathearn Cheese in Comrie is a rennet set cheese hand washed with a brine that’s flavoured with a 10-year-old Glenturret malt. The brine, along with a four-week maturation process, gives the cheese a hint of a whisky that also prides itself on being hand-made.

The cheese, sold in delicatessens and farm shops, has recently made an appearance at farmers' markets in Perth, Pitlochry, Aberfeldy and Stirling, coinciding with Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight. The makers of Strathearn now plan to attend the markets regularly to spread the word about their unique pasteurised cheese.

The partners behind the new cheesemaking business, which launched in January, said they stick to local ingredients as much as they can, which made The 10-year-old Glenturret, produced at the nearby Glenturret Distillery in Crieff, a natural choice.

“There aren’t many cheeses made with whisky in Scotland and it was important for us to make something that was very local. The farmers' markets have all been excellent for us and we can't wait to spread the word about Strathearn,” said Pierre Leger, co-owner of Strathearn Cheese along with Drew Watson.

Stuart Cassells, General Manager at Glenturret Distllery, said:

“At Glenturret, Scotland’s oldest working distillery, our stillmen still mash ingredients by hand. That’s why we’re delighted that our now 240-year-old brand is appearing in a new hand-made cheese. We are always thrilled when collaborations like this happen and we feel sure Strathearn cheese will be a delicious hit.”

Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight, which ends this Sunday, is a celebration of Scotland's food and drink products and the people who grow, make, cook and sell it.

For more on The Glenturret visit www.theglenturret.com

For more information about Strathearn Cheese visit www.strathearncheese.co.uk

For more information on Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight visit www.fooddrinkfort.scot/