GLASGOW, Scotland, February 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

First Milk, owners of the Isle of Arran Creamery, are celebrating as their Extra Mature variety was rated best cheddar at the World Cheese Awards 2013. 

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140213/668614 )

The creamery won a 'Super Gold' title which is awarded by the judges from their selection of Gold medal winning cheddars. With just one Super Gold awarded for the whole cheddar category, recipients of this title are classed as one of the 'World's Best Cheeses'.

Paul Murray, Head Cheesemaker at Isle of Arran Creamery commented: "It is a huge honour to receive the top cheddar award from the judges.  Our employees and local supplying farmers take great pride in the cheese we produce and it's fantastic to get this recognition."

The World Cheese Awards took place on 27^th November in Birmingham, as part of the annual BBC Good Food Show, where 2,700 entries were received from over 30 countries. The awards bring together buyers and sellers from the global food industry and this year celebrated their 25^th anniversary.

The judges included expert cheese graders, producers, buyers, chefs and food writers.  Every entry is judged on taste, aroma and texture.

This award comes at a busy time for creamery owners First Milk as they focus more on marketing their brands, including Isle of Arran, into expanding international markets. 

About Isle of Arran Cheddar

Isle of Arran cheddar is handcrafted at the Isle of Arran Creamery on the southern tip of the island.  A small team of dedicated cheese makers follow traditional methods, using only milk from cows that graze the island's pastures, to create this classic cheddar.

For further details visit: http://www.isleofarrancheese.co.uk

About Isle of Arran Creamery and First Milk

Isle of Arran Creamery is owned and operated by First Milk - the UK's only major dairy company which is 100% owned by British farmers.  It supplies a wide range of dairy products and dairy ingredients to customers in both national and international markets including block cheeses, soft cheeses, raw milk, butter, skimmed milk powder, whey proteins and sports nutrition brands.

The company generates annual revenues of £530 million (2012/13 figures) and is headquartered in Glasgow with eight manufacturing sites across England, Scotland and Wales employing a total of 667 people.

First Milk's aspiration is to provide consumers with great-tasting nutritious food, while delivering value for every part of its farmers' milk. As a business with a passion for innovation and sustainability, it is constantly seeking fresh ways of working with partners across the supply chain to drive pioneering solutions to industry challenges.

For further information on First Milk, please visit http://www.firstmilk.co.uk or follow the company on Twitter @first_milk and YouTube http://www.youtube.co.uk/firstmilk1

A copy of First Milk's sustainability report is also available to download via its website, http://www.firstmilk.co.uk/sustainability

For sales enquiries, please contact the First Milk Export team:
Communications Executive
First Milk Limited
E: export@firstmilk.co.uk 
T: +44-(0)141-887-6111

SOURCE Isle of Arran Creamery and First Milk Ltd