Black Bomber is Snowdonia Cheese Company's extra mature Cheddar from North Wales, sold in black wax. Snowdonia's own description is "Creamy extra mature Cheddar with intense, deeply savoury flavour notes."
Retailers agree that it is creamy, but they differ on whether it also carries caramel sweetness or a crystal crunch.
In This Article
What Is Black Bomber and Who Makes It?
Black Bomber is a British cheese made in North Wales by Snowdonia Cheese Company, which The Welsh Cheese Company says was established in 2001.
The Welsh Cheese Company lists it as a pasteurized cow's milk cheese, and Snowdonia's FAQ says each of its products is made with pasteurized milk. The producer's ingredient list reads "Cheddar Cheese [Milk]", and the cheese is labeled suitable for vegetarians and coeliacs.
Snowdonia's FAQ calls its wax safe, food-grade packaging that should not be consumed. It adds that tiny flakes visible only to the naked eye are unlikely to cause problems but should be scraped off.
The Cheese Shop in Singapore lists the 200 g size as a mini truckle wrapped in black wax. It pitches the cheese as a powerful but mellow Cheddar with attitude for a cheeseboard.
Is Black Bomber Creamy, Crunchy, or Crumbly?
Every seller we checked uses creamy, smooth, or buttery for Black Bomber, and the differences sit in what else each one mentions.
| Source | Wording used |
|---|---|
| Snowdonia Cheese Company | Creamy, with intense, deeply savoury flavour notes |
| The Welsh Cheese Company | Rich, tangy Cheddar flavour with a smooth creaminess that lingers |
| Cheese Etc | Buttery and rich first, then Cheddar tang and a savoury finish |
| Love Cheese | Smooth, butter-like texture with classic Cheddar flavours |
| The Cheese Shop (Singapore) | Slightly sweet with a hint of caramel, and a creamy texture not usually found in Cheddars |
| The Cheese Lady | Fruity and creamy, with a crystal crunch |
| Cheese.com | Buttery, compact, creamy, and crumbly |
Only Cheese.com and The Cheese Lady mention a firmer edge, with crumble in one case and crystals in the other. Snowdonia's FAQ says the small white dots in its cheeses are protein crystals that develop naturally as cheese matures.
None of these pages gives an ageing time or a moisture figure, so they describe the texture without explaining it.
Which Black Bomber Size Should You Buy?
Snowdonia's UK product page lists 200 g, 400 g, 2 kg, and 3 kg packs. The Welsh Cheese Company gives approximate dimensions for the two large wheels.
| Wheel | Diameter | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kg | About 18.5 cm | About 8 cm |
| 3 kg | About 21.5 cm | About 8.5 cm |
Snowdonia's cutting guide says to eat the cheese within seven to 10 days of opening, so the sensible size is the amount you can finish in that window.
How Do You Cut a Black Bomber Truckle?
The guide starts by taking the cheese out of the fridge to reach room temperature, then removing the sticky labels. It says to always use a very sharp knife.
- Half-moons: leave the wax on, cut the truckle in half down the centre, set each half cut side down, and slice thin half-moon shapes.
- Snowflake: remove the wax, cut the truckle into four quarters, halve each quarter, and make an angled cut at the end of each segment to form a point.
- Rustic chunks: remove the wax, press the forked end of a cheese knife into the cheese, and turn it clockwise.
Of these three methods only the half-moon leaves a strip of wax on each slice.
How Do You Make Welsh Rarebit with Black Bomber?
Snowdonia's Black Bomber rarebit serves two and takes 20 minutes. It uses 200 g of grated Black Bomber, 25 g butter, 2 teaspoon flour, 1 teaspoon English mustard, 1 to 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 4 thick slices of bread, and 4 tablespoon stout or dark ale.
- Combine the cheese, butter, flour, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a saucepan.
- Add the stout and stir over a gentle heat until melted and forming a thick paste, then leave it to cool.
- Toast the bread and spread the cheese mix over the top.
- Grill under a hot grill until bubbling and golden.
Love Cheese, a UK retailer, says it enjoys the cheese on a cracker, in a sandwich, or melted on a burger.
What Pairs with Black Bomber Cheddar?
Sellers converge on beer or red wine and on sweet, tangy sides, and each pairing below names the seller that suggests it. Cheese Etc says amber or pale ales suit it, while Snowdonia's own product page suggests Curious Brew Lager.
The Welsh Cheese Company recommends a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.
| Pairing | Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Cabernet Sauvignon | Wine | The Welsh Cheese Company suggests a glass with the cheese. |
| A light red | Wine | Love Cheese recommends a lovely light red. |
| Amber or pale ale | Drink | Cheese Etc calls beer and Cheddar a classic and names these ales. |
| Craft lager | Drink | Snowdonia suggests Curious Brew Lager and The Cheese Lady suggests a craft lager. |
| Crisp apples or pears | Food | Cheese Etc names them, and Snowdonia's rarebit recipe is served with apple slices or a tomato and rocket salad. |
| Chutney and crackers | Food | Snowdonia's product page lists balsamic caramelised onion chutney and wholemeal and extra virgin olive oil crackers. |
Which Awards Has Black Bomber Won?
On March 20, 2026, Black Bomber won Gold in class D23, Waxed Cheddars, at the British and Irish Cheese Awards non-retailer judging. The results PDF lists six entries in the class, with two Golds (Black Bomber and Snowdonia's Rock Star), two Silvers, and two Bronzes.
Snowdonia's UK page says Black Bomber was awarded by the Great Taste Awards without giving a year in its text, and The Cheese Lady says it holds 2 stars there. The Welsh Cheese Company lists earlier wins at the Great British Cheese Awards, the Nantwich International Cheese Awards, the World Cheese Awards, and a Super Gold at Mondial Fromage.
A Gold in one class of six shows how judges ranked waxed Cheddars on one day. It says nothing about the taste of the specific truckle you buy.
What Are the Nutrition Values for Black Bomber?
Snowdonia's product page prints the label values per 100 g, and the row below shows the main four. The same panel gives 22.8 g saturated fat, 3.0 g carbohydrate, and under 0.4 g sugars.
Is Black Bomber Safe During Pregnancy?
The NHS says pasteurised or unpasteurised hard cheeses such as cheddar are safe in pregnancy. The CDC lists hard cheeses made with pasteurized milk, including Cheddar, among its safer choices.
The CDC adds that pregnant women are 10 times more likely to get a Listeria infection.
How Should You Store Black Bomber Cheddar?
Snowdonia's FAQ says its cheese needs refrigeration at 2 to 5°C, should be eaten by the best before date, and is not suitable for freezing. It also recommends bringing the cheese to room temperature before cutting, without giving a time.
After opening, Snowdonia's cutting guide says to wrap it tightly in waxed paper in an airtight container. Cheese Etc gives a longer window of 10 to 14 days after opening and allows waxed paper or cling film.
That is longer than Snowdonia's own seven to 10 days, so the producer figure is the more cautious one to plan around.
SOURCES & REFERENCES
What Else Do People Ask About Black Bomber?
Snowdonia describes it as creamy with intense, deeply savoury flavour notes. The Welsh Cheese Company calls it rich and tangy, and The Cheese Shop in Singapore adds a slight sweetness with a hint of caramel.
No. Snowdonia says its wax is safe, food-grade packaging that should not be consumed. Cut it away from the portion you plan to serve.
Yes. Snowdonia classifies it as extra mature Cheddar, and its listed ingredient is Cheddar cheese made from milk.
Snowdonia sells 200 g, 400 g, 2 kg, and 3 kg packs. Its cutting guide says to eat the cheese within seven to 10 days of opening, so pick the amount you can finish in that time.
No. Snowdonia's FAQ says its cheese is not suitable for freezing.
Yes. Snowdonia's FAQ says each of its products uses pasteurized milk, and The Welsh Cheese Company lists Black Bomber as a pasteurized cow's milk cheese.
