Wicklow Bán is a full fat cow’s milk cheese made by John and Bernie Hempenstall on their farm at Curranstown in Co Wicklow. The cheese takes its name from the Irish word bán, meaning white. All the milk used comes from the Hempenstall’s own herd of 60 pedigree Fresians. Wicklow Bán is a sister cheese of John’s popular Wicklow Blue, which he has been making since 2002, although he has only had his own cheese making facilities since February 2005. The herd calves twice a year ensuring that the Hempenstalls have plentiful supply of quality milk no matter what the season.

Wicklow Bán is a double cream cheese with a fat content 65-70%, meaning that additional cream is added to the milk thus ensuring a fuller flavour. This open textured, bloomy rind cheese has a wonderfully full, creamy flavour with a mild, rich finish. David is cautious to avoid over-salting his cheese, which may explains how he has achieved creaminess without the overly buttery notes often associated with other double and triple cream cheeses.