Slack-ma-Girdle named Best Soft Cheese

Gloucestershire-based cheesemaker and distiller Charles Martell & Son has won the Best Soft Cheese trophy at the Artisan Cheese Awards 2025 with Slack-ma-Girdle, a pasteurised cow’s milk cheese praised for its oozing texture and delicate buttery, lemony notes. Made on the family-run farm in Broom’s Green, the cheese is the latest innovation from a business known for the iconic Stinking Bishop.

The company also earned Gold medals for Stinking Bishop, Single Gloucester, and Hereford Hop, with Stinking Bishop and Single Gloucester both Highly Commended in their respective classes.

Developed by Charles Martell and head cheesemaker Justyna Burford, Slack-ma-Girdle reflects the ongoing evolution of a business central to the UK’s artisan cheese revival. Now producing eight cheese styles and a range of spirits, the Martell family remains committed to traditional methods and sustainability.

Charles Martell commented: “This recognition, decades on, shows we’re continuing to move forward. Our team should be very proud.”

Slack-ma-Girdle is available to purchase from www.charlesmartell.com, priced at £35 for a whole 700g wheel, as well as from independent cheese retailers across the UK.