North Holland · Netherlands
Old Amsterdam.
Crack through Old Amsterdam's distinctive black wax to discover a dense, caramel-colored paste that shatters pleasantly on the tongue. Waves of butterscotch and toasted nuts unfold with each bite, their sweetness tempered by a mineral saltiness that keeps the richness in check—this is aged Gouda at its most indulgent, with buttery notes that linger like toffee.
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Origin
52.7°N · 4.8°E
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Old Amsterdam is a brand of aged Gouda-style cheese, created by Westland cheese company in 1985.
Its distinctive black wax coating and premium positioning made it one of the Netherlands' best-known export cheeses. Despite being a commercial brand rather than a PDO, it maintains consistent quality and worldwide recognition.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · pasteurised
- Family
- Hard
- Rind
- wax
- Age
- 12–18 mo
- Intensity
- 4 / 5
- Texture
- hard
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Old Amsterdam's flavour and aroma notes, scaled by the cheese's overall intensity — a quick guide, not a lab measurement.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100 g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100 g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for hard cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about 30–60 min before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Use a sturdy knife, or break it into craggy chunks with a spike — shards and shavings beat neat slices.
Store
Wrap leftovers in cheese paper or wax paper — never cling film, which suffocates the rind — and keep them in the warmest part of the fridge.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Old.
55 pairings across 9 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Spirits
Fruits & Jams
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Old Amsterdam are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Old Amsterdam at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
Want to remember this one?.
Log it, pair it, and keep your own tasting notes — Caseo is free.
