TILLAMOOK, ORE. – Tillamook County Creamery Association cheddar cheeses secured seven medals – two gold, two silver and three bronze – at the 2022 American Cheese Society Judging and Competition.

The cooperative’s Extra Sharp White Cheddar had the top score in the mature cheddar (aged 24 to 47 months) category, while Tillamook’s Hickory Smoked Cheddar stood out as the gold-medal winner in the smoked cheddars (all milks) category.

The two silver medal-winners for Tillamook were its Maker's Reserve 2019 Extra Sharp White Cheddar in the mature cheddar (aged 24 to 47 months) category and its Maker's Reserve 2017 Extra Sharp White Cheddar in the mature cheddar (aged 48 or more months) category.

The Oregon-based creamery picked up bronze medals for its Medium Cheddar in the cheddar (aged through 12 months) category, Extra Sharp Cheddar in the aged cheddar (aged 13 to 23 months) category and Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar in the smoked cheddars (all milks) category.

"TCCA has been committed to making the best tasting, highest quality and naturally aged cheddar cheeses for over 113 years," said Jill Allen, director of product excellence for Tillamook and an ACS certified cheese professional. "To have this many of our cheddars – from some of our youngest to some of our oldest – recognized by ACS is a testament to the TCCA way."

Judging for this year’s close to 1,400 entries took place this past May at the University of Minnesota. Winners were announced in July during the ACS Annual Conference in Portland, Ore. Tillamook was the marquee sponsor for the event.

A complete list of the 380 awards bestowed this year can be found online at the ACS website.

Earlier in the year, Tillamook’s Hickory Smoked Extra Sharp White Cheddar won a gold medal at the International Cheese and Dairy Awards, as well.