L’Amuse Pril Gouda, Aged 6 Months

L’Amuse Pril Gouda is a younger Dutch gouda aged for about six months, but its flavor profile is impressively developed. Selected exclusively for Essex St. Cheese by renowned affineur Betty Koster, this gouda delivers a creamy, semi-firm texture with just the right amount of tyrosine crunch and an indulgent, almost dessert-like depth. Expect buttery, caramelized notes of butterscotch and hazelnut, finishing with a clean, milky sweetness that makes it a natural table cheese.

Produced in northern Holland by the Cono Co-op and aged at slightly warmer temperatures than typical goudas, Pril develops more complexity at a younger age without losing its creamy pliancy. It’s an excellent melter, equally at home on a cheese board or tucked into a sandwich, and a top pick for anyone who loves smooth, rich goudas with depth of flavor.

Betty Koster is one of the most respected figures in Dutch cheese. Since founding Fromagerie l’Amuse with her husband Martin in 1989, she has championed small-production Dutch cheesemakers and perfected the craft of affinage. Her Amsterdam shop is a must-visit for cheese lovers, showcasing regional specialties like Wilde Weide and Terschelling. Thanks to her longstanding relationships with farmers and affineurs, she’s able to hand-select exceptional wheels like Pril Gouda for export to the U.S. through Essex St. Cheese.

• Pairings: dry cider, Belgian-style ale, off-dry Riesling, Chardonnay, Gamay, sparkling wine