Cowgirl Creamery Devil's Gulch

The Devil's Gulch is a bloomy rind cheese from Cowgirl Creamery in California. It's one of three seasonal varieties they release throughout the year - all are the same, with the exception of the topping. This one features a mixture of dried sweet and hot peppers, as you can see below.

The addition of the peppers adds a smoky flavor to this otherwise somewhat-sweet and mushroomy cheese. I had it with some Club-style crackers, which gave me a mix of sweet, salty, and smoky...quite a combination in my mouth! The piece I bought isn't totally ripe and soft in the middle, so I'll be sure to get one that is next time I purchase this - and there will be a next time.

This cheese came from Gourmet Library in Springfield, NJ. While there I spoke with the fellow in charge of their specialty foods, since they are primarily a wine shop. He advised me to sign up for their email list (which I already have), since they often send specials and free shipping codes via email. They also post the same on Twitter. Not only does this store have a great selection, they have unbelievably low prices. This cheese was $12.99 for a 9 oz. piece, yet I've seen it selling for nearly $20 elsewhere.

I no longer need to head to NYC to find a good selection of cheese!