Best European Smoked Cheese Types
Ovčí salašnícky údený syr is a uniquely shaped, soft cheese, handmade from unpasteurized sheep's milk in a traditional way in mountainous areas and shepherd's huts in the Slovak Republic. The word salašnícky refers to the word salaš - a shepherd's hut where it is produced.
The cheese is smoked over hardwood and comes in various shapes - most often as a lump, but it may come shaped like a heart, cockerel or other animals. On the exterior it is firm and dry with a crust and little stains that appear from the smoking process.
This spindle-shaped smoked cheese hailing from the Tatra highlands is made exclusively with salted and unpasteurized milk from the Polish mountain sheep, though sometimes a small amount of cow milk from the Polish Podgórska red cow breed can also be added.
Oscypek is produced from May to September and it is regarded as a traditional product of Poland's southernmost region, Podhale. With its pronounced smokiness and a unique salty and slightly sour flavor with subtle hints of chestnuts, this mildly piquant cheese is best enjoyed grilled, accompanied by cranberry marmalade.
Sulguni is a cylindrical Georgian cheese originating from the region of Samegrelo (Mingrelia). The cheese has a mild, yet complex flavor and a semi-firm texture. It can be produced from the milk of cows, buffalos, and goats (rarely), or a combination of the three.
The flavors range from acidic, tangy, and sour to salty and smoky, depending on the varieties – fresh, smoked, or semi-hard. The cheese melts easily so it is often used as a pizza topping, but it can also be added to various salads or pasta dishes.
Metsovone is a hard or semi-hard smoked table cheese, produced from cow's milk or alternatively with a mixture of cow's milk with up to 20% sheep’s or goat’s milk. It has been made in the Metsovo mountain region for more than 50 years from locally reared animals' milk.
During the manufacturing, it is put in cylindrical molds that are placed in cold water to make the cheese more compact and afterwards placed in pickle. After the drying, the maturation lasts, at least, three months. Finally, it is smoked for a couple of days.
THE BEST Metsovone Cheeses
Traditionally associated with the region of Silesia, gołka is a smoked Polish cheese that is exclusively made with cow’s milk. It is characterized by its light yellow color, and before it is smoked, it is placed in carved wooden molds that form its typical cylindrical shape and provide a decorative pattern on the rind.
With its delicate taste, smoky flavor, and soft texture, gołka is best paired with fruit preserves and bread.
Redykołka is a small, semi-hard cheese made from half-fat sheep's milk in the Podhale region in Poland. The name derives from the Polish word redyk, meaning a ceremony where sheep are taken to mountain pastures, kept there grazing and brought back down from the mountains.
The cheese is made in unusual shapes of small animals, birds, hearts or spindles. It must not exceed the maximum weight of 300 grams, the smallest one being redykolka in the shape of a spindle and weighing from 30 to 60 grams. It is made from the leftovers in the process of making the famous Polish Oscypek cheese and is regularly confused with it.
Provola is an Italian cheese that's essentially the smaller version of Provolone. The cheese is made from cow's milk and originates from Campania. This pasta filata cheese is typically immersed in brine, and some of the cheeses are smoked (known as Provola affumicata) before being hung to dry for at least 4 months.
The flavors can vary from mild and sweet to very sharp, depending on the aging period and the region. Apart from being available in plain and smoked varieties, Provola can also be found in various elongated shapes. The name of the cheese is derived from pruvula or pruvatura, an ancient tradition in which the priests who had assembled at the convent of San Lorenzo in Capua were offered cheese on a piece of bread as a proof of its good qualities.
Cascaval afumat is a Romanian cheese made from cow's milk. It's shaped into wheels and blocks, but cascaval afumat can also be braided. The name of this cheese means smoked cascaval. The texture is semi-soft and rubbery, while the flavors are smoky and slightly bitter.
It's recommended to serve it with garlic sausages on crusty bread.
Slovenská parenica is a soft, steamed cheese made from unpasteurized sheep's milk of the Wallachian, Cigaya, East Friesian and improved Wallachian breeds. The cheese can also be made using a mixture of raw sheep's and cow's milk, where the content of sheep's milk must be at least 50%.
The parenica is wound in two rolls that are connected in an S-shape or a spiral, steamed and lightly smoked. The rolls are bound with cheese string or chains. Its aroma is smoky with a characteristic smell of sheep's milk, and the taste is delicate, mild and slightly salty.
Slovenský oštiepok is a traditional semi-hard cheese made from half-fat sheep's milk, cow's milk or a mixture of both. It can be either steamed or unsteamed, smoked or unsmoked and can be produced in dairies using the industrial way of production, or on sheep farms (salaš) in the mountainous parts of the Slovak Republic, using the traditional methods.
It is quite striking to the eye - shaped like a large egg or a pine cone, with a golden brown exterior due to the smoking process and a creamy yellow color on the interior. Its texture is firm and homogeneous, with small cracks developing on the body when sliced.
Best European Smoked Cheese Producers
Barber's is a distinguished British cheesemaker with over 190 years of history. Founded in 1833 by Daniel Barber, the company has remained family-owned and is based in Somerset, a region known for its rich agricultural tradition. Today, Barber's continues to be a leader in the production of premium cheddar cheeses.
Barber's prides itself on maintaining traditional methods of cheesemaking. The process begins with the highest quality milk sourced from over 100 local farming families who follow strict standards for animal care and milk production. The milk is then processed in the cheese dairy using age-old techniques passed down through generations.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2019, 2018

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
BEST Barber's Cheeses
Belton Farm is a British cheese producer. The farm has been producing cheese since the 1920s, leveraging traditional methods to craft its products. They specialize in making British territorial cheeses, including Cheshire, Red Leicester, and Double Gloucester.
Belton Farm has won numerous awards for their cheeses, indicating a high standard of quality in their production processes.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018
BEST Belton Farm Cheeses
Godminster is a cheese producer located in Bruton, Somerset, UK. They specialize in producing organic cheeses, with their signature product being the Vintage Organic Cheddar, which is encased in burgundy wax. The company also makes flavored cheddars and a range of other dairy products.
Godminster Farm practices sustainable farming, and it thrives on a mix of traditional methods and modern techniques to produce its goods.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024
BEST Godminster Cheeses
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2019

Global Cheese Awards - Best
2024, 2023, 2018

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2021, 2018
BEST Curds & Croust Cheeses
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019
BEST Bradburys Cheese Cheeses
Galbani Cheese is an iconic Italian brand that has been producing high-quality cheese for over a century. Founded in 1882 in Italy, it is renowned for its rich tradition of craftsmanship and expertise in cheese-making. Galbani offers a wide range of cheeses, including mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, and mascarpone, each made with the finest ingredients to deliver exceptional flavor and texture.
Galbani's mozzarella is especially popular, widely used in pizzas, pastas, and salads, and is loved for its delicate texture and creamy taste. The brand is committed to maintaining traditional production methods while innovating to meet the demands of modern consumers.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2019

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024, 2022, 2020, 2016, 2012, 2010
BEST Galbani Cheese Cheeses
Alvis Bros, based in Bristol, is a family-operated business specializing in cheese production. The company is known for producing the Lye Cross Farm brand of cheeses. Alvis Bros Ltd employs traditional farming methods and adheres to sustainable agricultural practices to produce a variety of organic cheeses.
The company distributes its products both nationally and internationally.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Best
2024, 2023

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018
BEST Alvis Bros Cheeses
Applewood Cheese is a popular cheese brand known for its distinctive smoky flavor and creamy texture. The cheese is made from high-quality milk and is often used in cooking due to its versatility. Applewood is particularly recognized for being naturally smoked, giving it a rich, unique taste.
The brand is part of Norseland, a company specializing in cheeses, and is sold in many countries around the world. In addition to the original smoked variety, Applewood is also available in versions with added flavors, such as Applewood Smoky, Applewood Vegan (a plant-based version), and other varieties that may include spices like chili or garlic.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2018
BEST Applewood Cheese Cheeses
AWARDS

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024, 2020

World Championship Cheese Contest - First Runner Up
2024

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Artikaas Cheeses
AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2022
BEST Queseria El Faro Cheeses
Best European Smoked Cheeses
The product Naturally Smoked Cheddar made by Dairy Crest Ltd T/A Wensleydale Creamery is a type of cheddar cheese that has been smoked to impart a rich, distinctive flavor. This cheese is crafted using traditional methods and high-quality milk, often sourced from local farms.
The smoking process typically involves the use of natural wood smoke, which enhances the cheddar's taste profile with smoky, savory notes. The Naturally Smoked Cheddar can be used in various culinary applications, from cheese boards to cooking recipes that call for a robust cheese flavor.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
Reserva Ahumado is a type of cheese produced by Lacteas García Baquero. It is known for its distinctive smoky flavor, which is achieved through a careful aging and smoking process. The cheese is typically aged for 12 months, allowing it to develop a rich and complex flavor profile that combines its natural creaminess with smoky undertones.
Lacteas García Baquero is a reputable Spanish dairy company known for its high-quality cheese products, and Reserva Ahumado stands out as a premium offering in their range.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
Smoked Red Fox is an artisan cheese produced by Belton Farm, located in the United Kingdom. This cheese is known for its distinctive flavor, achieved by carefully smoking it to add a rich, smoky depth to its taste. The texture is typically smooth with a slight crumble, characteristic of high-quality aged cheeses.
Belton Farm prides itself on using traditional methods and high-quality ingredients in the production of Smoked Red Fox.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2021

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023

Global Cheese Awards - Best
2023, 2021
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2019
The Oak-Smoked Vintage Organic Cheddar by Godminster is a premium cheese product known for its rich, distinctive flavor. This cheese is traditionally smoked over oak chips, which imparts a deep, smoky essence to the mature cheddar. Made from organic milk sourced from Godminster Farm's own cows, the cheddar maintains high standards of animal welfare and sustainability.
The vintage cheddar aging process ensures a robust and characteristically tangy taste.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
Smokey Duke-Smoked Brie by Curds & Croust is a unique cheese product known for its distinct smoky flavor. It is made using traditional Brie cheese, which is then expertly smoked to infuse it with a rich, nuanced smoky profile. This process enhances the creaminess of the Brie, providing a delightful contrast between the soft, buttery texture and the bold, smoky taste.
It's perfect for cheese boards, gourmet recipes, or simply enjoying on its own. The high-quality ingredients and craftsmanship reflect the dedication of Curds & Croust to producing exceptional artisanal cheeses.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2019

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
Applewood Smoke Flavoured Cheddar Cheese by Norseland is a distinctively flavored cheese known for its unique smoky taste that is infused with a hint of paprika. This cheese is crafted using traditional cheddar-making techniques and then carefully smoked to achieve its characteristic flavor profile.
It has a creamy texture that pairs well with a variety of foods, making it versatile for both cooking and snacking. The cheese also features a rustic, natural applewood aroma, adding to its depth of flavor.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 31 European Smoked Cheeses” list until May 30, 2025, 2,289 ratings were recorded, of which 1,209 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.