Gold for Klaverkaas Young and
Vergeer Aged at the 2025 Gouda Cheese Awards
Gouda, May 15, 2025 - What is the tastiest Gouda cheese in the Netherlands? That question was answered today during the festive finale of the Gouda Cheese Awards 2025, right in the middle of the Market Square in historic Gouda.
Amid great public interest, a panel of experts tasted six top-quality cheeses live on stage and selected a winner in each category. In the Young Gouda category, the gold medal went to Klaverkaas Jong from Klaverkaas. In the 48+ Year-Old Gouda category, Vergeer Oud from Vergeer Holland was awarded the gold medal.
Silver and bronze for the other delicious finalists
In the
young Gouda category, Stompetoren Jong from Kaashandel Remijn took silver,
and bronze went to Vergeer Jong from Vergeer Holland. In the
“Gouda 48+ aged,” the silver went to Lutjewinkel 1916 Robuust &
Romig from Velder, and the bronze went to Hoeve Goud from Zuivelhoeve.
Never before have so many cheeses been submitted: 36 in the Young Gouda category and 31 in the 48+ Month Gouda category participated in the public tasting. In May, several consumer panels conducted blind tastings of the entries, evaluating taste, texture, and aroma. The three highest-rated cheeses in each category advanced to the finals at the Gouda Market.
Finalists in the Gouda Youth category:
- Klaverkaas Young – Klaverkaas
- Stompetoren Jong – Remijn Cheese Shop
- Vergeer Jong – Vergeer Holland
Finalists in the Gouda 48+ age group:
- Lutjewinkel 1916 Robust & Creamy – Velder
- Vergeer Oud – Vergeer Holland
- Hoeve Goud – Dairy Farm
Michelin-starred chef on the judging panel
This year’s judging panelconsisted of Mayor Pieter Verhoeve, journalist Anne-Marie Visser, and Remco Kuijpers, the Michelin-starred chef at restaurant LIZZ. Kuijpers not only offered his expert opinion but also surprised the audience with creative cheese dishes, which were prepared live on stage and sampled by the audience.
Flavor, atmosphere, and music
The finale took place right in front of the historic Waag and the iconic Gouda Cheese Market. Dozens of curious visitors gathered around the stage to watch the tasting, enjoy the music of the Paramount Jazz Band, and—of course—try a piece of cheese themselves.
