Great Taste Awards

Great Taste Awards Winners

2025 Winners

3 STARS

Ibesa 100% iberico bellota ham, DOP Pedroches, boneless

A beautifully cut jamon with a lovely distribution of fat and meat. Judges love the depth of flavour and the fat just melts on the tongue. Really well balanced, with well measured salt. It is delicious. Muy bien hecho.

The judges immediately agreed that this was an exceptional meat and amongst the best of its type they had tried. A fresh, peppery aftertaste follows deep flavours that showcase the caramel notes promised. A truly fantastic ham.

A great example of its kind. The ham has a good distribution of fat running throughout; well cut, thin slices and detectable notes of caramel.

An impressive example of what feels like paleta - it's particularly sweet. From the gloss, colour and fat striation via the deeply inviting aroma to the tender melt on the palate along with the perfect balance of sweetness, salinity and gentle acidity - and of course the depth of porkiness - this really is an absolute delight. The finish is long and as delightful as the immediate impact on the palate.

These delicate slices of Iberico ham are well laminated, rich red in colour and have sweet meaty aromas. The fat is sweet and nutty and melts in the mouth, balancing the meaty flavours, which become more complex with hints of molasses and wood leading to a wonderful long finish. This is a beautiful, brilliantly produced product.

"Pi" Mould-Ripened Raw Sheep's Milk Cheese

This round of cheese looks in great condition. There is an earthy taste, but this is lightened with citrussy notes. It is light on the palate with a subtle sweetness and grassiness. There is a soft creaminess to the cheese, neatly balanced by the drier rind. The judges found a hint of sheepy flavour which is well-judged. Dairy milk flavours are apparent and enjoyed. On tasting the centre paste, the judges found marked complexity and depth of flavour. There are many layer of complexity and it leaves the palate fresh and wanting more.

A delicate cheese with both creaminess and richness especially near the rind, with hints of baked potatoes, farmyard and some cabbage. This cheese takes you on a journey, it has complexity and a deliciousness – really enjoyable.

This is perfection. An abundance of creamy, milk-rich and beautifully lactic acidulated cheese fills your mouth – with hints of lemon too. The edge of the paste shows a little more maturity with less so in the middle where the eyes are. But having two slightly different areas of flavour and interest only adds to the overall pleasure of this cheese. The moulding is soft and very moreish.

Great aroma and a soft, unctuous texture. The paste is a little chalky in the middle, with lots of that bold, citrus-fresh flavour, and then as you move to the edge the texture becomes more sticky and salty, with blue notes from the rind and a richness that somehow manages to be crisp and bright at the same time. A fabulous cheese creation, and we absolutely loved it.

2 STARS

Ortiz bonito ventresca (tuna belly) in o/o 110g

Fleshy and succulent whole pieces of tuna, these have a delicate sweet flavour in a good quality olive oil, gently seasoned with salt. The ingredients are combined with skill, making the tuna feel like a premium product.

These are large, pale pink flakes of tuna that feel very luxurious. The texture is firm enough to hold together but tender enough to melt in your mouth. The choice of a mellow olive oil complements the tuna and doesn't overpower the meaty flavour from the fish. A great example of a high quality preserved fish.

The judges were surprised and delighted by the soft, silky texture of this tuna. The oil had a sweet, clean flavour and the level of salt was really well judged. If only all tinned tuna was as delicious as this!

Naveda Asturian Chorizo (3 units/pack)

What appears to be a very nonchalant, uninspiring sausage is anything but. An explosion of flavours had the judges wide-eyed ... a gorgeous burst of umami and a delicate hint of smoke. There is a residual warmth on the palate on the very long finish and we just felt that a hint more acidity, perhaps from sherry vinegar, would add to the juicy mouthfeel. We also found the texture quite grainy.

Attractively presented, this chorizo looks generously stuffed with an inviting amount of fat. The judges appreciate the smell of porkiness and the smoky paprika aroma. The smoke lingers on the palate and is texturally interesting. However, we would like to taste a bit more pork flavour, as the paprika seems to be of the star of the show.

This is a meaty chorizo with a well-judged spice and happy, natural smokiness. The judges appreciated the lean texture and really loved the delicate balance of all the flavour notes.

Naveda Asturian Morcilla (3 units/pack)

Visually arresting, this morcilla has notes of iron, umami and intensity. The flavour very expertly unfolds and unveils itself, becoming more complex and more unctuous as the journey goes on. We felt that, towards the end, there is a dryness that could be improved by a hint of acidity. The smokiness is perfectly judged and the pork fat could be dialled up for a creamier mouthfeel.

This deeply coloured morcilla is soaked with oil and fragrant with smoky spice and porky depth. The judges appreciated the unique moist-chewy texture as a means of slow delivery for the powerfully savoury and smoky flavours. Though rather linear and unabashedly seasoned, this would evidently be a fantastic addition to countless stew dishes, or as tapas with the perfect drink pairing.

The judges commented on the lovely flavours of caramelisation and spicing with a meaty texture and salty tang. There's a gentle, natural smokiness that is in good balance with the paprika element, bringing a real sense of umami.

Alemany Orange Blossom Honey 250g

A silky smooth and elegant expression of citrus honey, complete with delicious bitters evolving in tandem with the sweetness. There's a hint of something incense-like as well which adds another, quietly appreciated dimension. Not a big honey, but one with a distinct character and warm, lingering finish.Very clear and golden colour. The hint of orange blossom is pleasant. Clean flavour although it doesn't linger long.This honey has an attractive floral, citrusy aroma and a pleasing pale appearance with a medium loose viscosity. The honey dissolves on the tongue and tastes floral without being too sweet. There is a light orange blossom aroma on the nose.

"Sigma" Aged Sheep's Milk Cheese

There is a surprising lack of vibrant yellowness - almost a grey tinge – but we enjoyed the attractive punchy, lactic, slightly funky aroma, which turns nutty up close. There's an oily sheen in pockets. We like the slight inconsistency of the curd which suggests authenticity. It has a good mouthfeel, where the initial bite gives way to agreeable crumbliness. There's almost a bicarbonate of soda tang (which is a complement) and enjoyable delayed creaminess too. It is very mellow in terms of salt and acid but well-balanced, and there are little waxy moments too. Slightly unusual and very enjoyable, it is gentle but quite complex.

There is a pleasing aroma, uddery and lanolin to this cheese. There is a well-judged level of sweetness and acidity across the palate. There is a waxy texture on the chew which melts to creaminess. This cheese offers a clean finish without any acidity but a dairy quality. Indeed, there is an intriguing hint of bitterness on the finish.

Delicious, fresh, nutty notes with a full on milky flavour, this has a gentle acidity, herbaceous and with a soft lanolin on the finish. It is bright and authentic. The finish is clean and cream filled. A wonderful and delicious example of this cheese.

1 STAR

Perello paprika olive oil reganas crackers, 150g box

Visually, these are stunning and appetising. Super crunchy on the palate with a hint of charring and delicate notes of smoked paprika wafting through. Well seasoned and portioned, we enjoyed these. We felt that to elevate them further, they would need another element and flavour layer.

The crackers look great, artisan and homemade. The olive oil flavour is good, though they had a slightly stale quality to the taste and they lacked paprika.

Rustic-looking crackers with very crunchy texture. The paprika adds interest to the baked appearance. The flavour is slightly nutty from the sesame, though the paprika flavour is a bit too strong on the palate. If this was reduced, it would be less overwhelming. These would be nice to have with a cold beer.

Dark Chocolate Dipped Candied Orange Segments

The chocolate is quite dull in colour and lacks elegance on the eye. The judges felt that it tasted far better than it looked, with a gorgeous gummy texture and pleasant hint of salt. It is very well balanced, evoking memories of Jaffa Cakes. It is rustic, though hugely enjoyable to eat.

Diverse sizes of slice create an artisan aspect. The chocolate has coated the citrus well and has a gentle shine. We loved how they capture the Valencian orange zestiness, sweetness and juiciness. The chocolate is perhaps lacking some intrinsic character, but otherwise works well as a foil to the sweet yet tangy orange. A gentle chew is satisfying. As you suggest, this would be a really welcome, even palate brightening, after dinner sweet.

Unico PX balsamic vinegar DOP Reserva, 75cl

This is a thin-bodied vinegar with a rich dark brown colour and an intense aroma but it seems to be lacking the richness, body and sweetness expected from a PX. The flavour is bright and fruity, with caramel notes, and would be wonderful soaked into raisins to add to salads.

There is an earthy, oaky nose on this vinegar. The flavour profile includes notes of sherry and the acetic flavour of the vinegar. The judges felt this could be a little smoother on the palate and considering its age, the vinegar was still too abrasive in the overall flavour profile.

Castro frozen Marinated Iberico pork loin

This pork has a well-balanced note of paprika that isn't allowed to dominate, complementing a note of sweetness. The texture is firm but giving, making for a really rewarding eat. The pork notes are present and hold the salty notes well, making a really strong and unique product.

Enticing in appearance, the pork loin is well roasted with a fresh, porky aroma. The judges thought that the marinade gives the loin a pleasant umami note and that the spices are well-balanced. It is tender, moist and simply delicious.

These are thick, juicy looking steaks which, on cutting and eating, proved to be very tender. The meat is overpowered by the marinade, the saltiness of which also masks the pimenton a little. The garlic was too much also. Might it be possible to revisit the balance of flavours and seasoning in the marinade to improve this product?

We enjoyed the flavour of the pork and the flavour of the pimenton and herbs. Overall, we found this too salty and that dehydrated our palates to the point of not wanting more.

Casas de Hualdo extra virgin olive oil Organic blend, 500ml bottle

A bright looking olive oil with a lovely golden colour. It is fresh in aroma with hints of greenery leading to a pleasant bitterness and pepperiness. A mild oil with a lovely mouthfeel.

A pungent oil, fresh and grassy if with green garlic notes. Lightly fruity on the palate, with gentle bitterness and soft, warming pepper, it's a nicely rounded oil, fresh and relatively delicate.

Navarrico whole Lodosa piquillo peppers DOP

These colourful peppers have an appetising roasted aroma. There's a good amount of char on the peppers, and clearly a lot of care has been taken in their preparation. The kick of heat is nice and well balanced with the sweetness of the peppers. Good-quality ingredients have been used here.

These are attractive piquillo peppers and taste natural. The peppers are meaty and firm. They are sweet and the judges like the large pieces. They would be a great store cupboard ingredient.

Alemany Hard Turron 125g

This has an attractive appearance with balanced nut to nougat proportion. The judges liked the nutty flavour and especially the toastiness. There is a good nutty and sweet balance. This product delivers a real punch of nut flavour from the almonds which are beautifully distributed throughout the bar. The sugar sweetness comes into great balance with the nut flavour and there are hints of olive oil in the background, a surprising and delicious treat. The judges felt the rosemary element was absent - making this more prominent would produce an even more impressive product. This nougat looks attractive, with plenty of nuts. Thanks to this high level of nuts, it is crunchy and not too sweet, and the nuts have a good roast, adding to the flavour. A great example of this type of product. The appearance of this nougat is very appealing and regular, and the proportion of nuts to nougat is perfect. We wished for more rosemary flavour as we really couldn't get that from the nougat. The almonds were very high quality.

Alemany Soft Turron 125g

The judges enjoyed this Turron with its authentic almond flavour and restrained sweetness. It has a lovely silky texture with pieces of nut throughout. It is very moreish although the judges felt it could look more appetising. Visually, this has chunks of nuts and the texture is flaky. The sweetness levels are well-handled but it lacks seasoning - maybe some salt flakes on top would give added taste and texture. The rosemary doesn't come through and, while we wouldn't want too strong a herbal flavour, some added interest with herbal fragrance would make it more distinctive. The texture is successful - dry, crumbly, melt-in-the-mouth. But it needs more seasoning and a more distinctive taste. Crumbly when cut, with good colour, this has a very almond aroma and a good mouthfeel.

Honey & Oregano Villarejo

An impressive herb coated hard cheese with an artisan appearance, this had a coating with a strong aroma of oregano with sweet notes of honey. The cheese cut well to reveal a golden paste flecked with salt crystals. Unfortunately the coating was a little wet so had slid off the rind, and the balance of oregano against the well-made mature cheese was a little overpowering. We would suggest looking at the thickness and consistency of the coating as we think this is a good idea and the product is obviously well-made.

This dramatic and impressive looking cheese has a dark herby crust that combines a punchy yet rounded oregano with a sweet honey element. The honey is a brilliant foil that balances the savoury herbiness and savoury notes of the cheese beautifully. The mouthfeel of the cheese is intensely satisfying, releasing a long, nutty lingering flavour with well-judged salt levels.

An intriguing cheese - the centre is sweet, milky, rich and well balanced. The oregano and honey come through under the rind and marry well flavour-wise with the sweet cheese. For 12 months the flavour still has vibrancy and a pleasant acidity. The texture is good, toothsome crystals - still retaining rich creaminess. The oregano is a little messy - how do you integrate it? It is thick in some parts and we wonder how it would be served. It isn't adhesive. We think the cheese by itself is star-worthy, but the lack of integration of the oregano/honey with the cheese itself means that we don't feel we can give an award.

This is an attractive yellow cheese with good crystallisation with a crumble to it as you might expect from a hard cheese. The oregano and honey coating tasted a little medicinal and was a stand-alone element, not permeating into the cheese. The cheese had some sweetness and was fairly mellow, low on salt and acidity, but lacking some character.

"Lambda" Washed Rind Cheese

The middle of the cheese had not broken down but towards the rind there was slip skin evident. There was an attractive mottled rind with colours of peach pink and vanilla. There was a wet farmyard aroma and wonderful lactic notes with a sheepy sweetness trying to fight through on the nose. The middle paste was a little under in the middle and slightly over on the edge. There was a meaty, fruity palate note with a harsh acidic finish that lasted too long. We loved the creaminess for a sheep cheese and the light sweetness under the meatiness.

This is a good-looking cheese. We find a slightly variation in the paste, some parts are glossy and oozy while others more chalky. There is a rich, farmyard tang from the washed rind. It has distinctive sheep character and is savoury and quite moreish.

This cheese has a pleasing ooze around the edge and slightly chalky-looking centre. The aroma is really pronounced and funky. The texture in the centre melts nicely and is creamy and a bit dry with some enjoyable salt crystals. There is a distinctive meaty, savoury flavour around the rind. The eggy, salty centre was enjoyable and the texture had a light creaminess which melted pleasingly in the mouth. The judges might have liked a little more length and tang to add further interest.

The rind lacks uniformity with wet spots on the top and bottom which are affecting the overal appearance. the aroma is full on. The structure has a few issues – the outer bits being a lot softer than the centre in this young cheese. The appearance might underwhelm but the texture and flavour are stunning – a creamy, unctuous mouthfeel releasing a wonderful complex flavour profile which keeps on giving rounded exciting flavours, bringing waves of balanced lactate flavour, creamy with notes of spice. delicious. If the structure could match up to the flavour and texture this could gain a higher award.

2024 Winners

3 STARS

Perelló Smoked Catalan Almonds

The subtle aroma of smoke did not prepare us for the intense and incredible flavour profile of these almonds. Absolute perfection and the smoke flavour is expertly judged. We wanted more and more!

These golden almonds are lightly smoked, with a good balance of salt. There is a lovely crunch with a creamy texture and complexity on the palate from the combination of flavours. Very moreish and a wonderful, versatile snack.

The almonds have a good uniform size and a light golden colour. There is a nice smoky aroma. The almonds have a good 'bite' to them and then become creamy in the mouth. The level of salt is good, as is the smoky flavour.

This is a really lovely product with just a hint of smoke to deliver a point of difference that is both delicious and texturally interesting. This is a very special product.

1 STAR

Perelló Judión Butter Beans

Invitingly creamy coloured and creamy, tasty beans in a pleasing viscous base. The beans have a melt in the mouth texture that is satisfying. The flavour is mild, but lasting. The judges remarked that both the beans and the juice would have multiple uses in dishes.

Plump and appealing looking butter beans. Well seasoned, with a pleasant flavour making them a versatile product to add to salads, hummus etc. They could perhaps celebrate where they are sourced from. A good all round product.

Chilli, Garlic & Pepper Infused XV Olive Oil

Clean, clear appearance. This smells of roasted garlic with a certain butteriness. In the mouth, we start with good olive oil flavour, i.e., grassy, buttery and the characteristic tickle at the back of the throat. Them comes well-roasted garlic and plenty of rounded chilli heat. The olive oil stands up remarkably well to the onslaught - you can still taste it at the end.

This olive oil has a clear and appealing appearance. Its aroma is warm and soothing with grassy, peppery notes, which are not overwhelmed by the garlic. We enjoyed the roasted garlic and smoky flavours and appreciated a slow buildup of heat, which is well-balanced with the flavours of the olive oil.

The comforting aroma of roasted garlic lured us in. The buttery mouthfeel of the oil works well to deliver the flavour of roasted garlic and the finish of chilli is in balance. This is a tasty finishing oil; we felt the heat could even be increased.

A buttery, grassy olive oil with a delicate heat and a mild garlic earthiness. The base oil is delicious, but the judges wanted more garlic and chilli warmth to elevate it further.

La Brújula Mussels in Pickled Sauce

Fat, plump and juicy in appearance with a vibrant, paprika-coloured oil, theser mussels have a distinct aroma of the sea, but retain a freshness. The flavours of mussel come through well, though perhaps could be a little more balanced with the oil and vinegar to allow each to work more in harmony. The mussels have a crumbly, flaky texture, though the judges would have liked to see them hold their own a little more.

These are nicely plump, whole mussels in a colourful, aromatic escabeche. It is quite salty on the palate, and just a touch drier than anticipated - we hoped for a slightly softer, more tender experience. The mussels are visually appealing and sound, but for an award we wanted a more luscious tenderness. Perhaps the salinity is a little high.

These impressively plump mussels are fragrant with acidity, salt and garlic. On the palate, the judges applauded the balance of sweet, salt and acid. There was notable disagreement between the judges on the texture of the mussels, as one deemed them to be satisfyingly meaty and another felt they were rather mushy and a little granular.

Turrón Panettone

A most unusual take on Panettone - and for us the Spanish twist works very well. While we particularly loved the moist yet crunchy turrón chunks, we're delighted to find the flavour permeating the deceptively simple, lightly moist crumb. The contrasts are great, and we love that you can find a different impression of flavour and texture with every bite. Entirely uncloying, yet with marked, rich and nutty flavour as described. A great product.

A well risen golden Panettone, with an expected yeasty aroma. We felt that the distribution of turrón could be more even and plentiful, and the white chocolate more present if listed in product description. The product would benefit from a more aerated texture.

An appealing looking Panettone with a bold flavour idea. The texture feels quote dense for a Panettone. The filling looks like it has all settled to the bottom rather than throughout. The flavours are overpoweringly sweet. More work on the flavours may elevate this product.

The Panettone looks attractive, with evenly distributed sugar chunks on top and an even crumb. We enjoyed the flavour but wish the turrón was a bit more evenly distributed. We could not find the white chocolate chips in the cake, but did like the flavour that the 30 hour fermentation imparts into the baked product.

Ortiz Maestra Cured Anchovy fillets in Olive Oil

These are well-filleted, meaty-looking, even-coloured, good-sized fillets with a balance of fishy and saline aromas. They are not over-salted, with a strong anchovy and umami flavour, and a soft texture that melts in the mouth.

With a gorgeous meaty texture reminiscent of eel, the flavours are quite punchy to start with and then quickly finish on the flavour/aroma of fish drying by the seaside (fishiness of a specific nature). We enjoyed the saltiness and felt that this is better suited for cooking than eating on its own.

2023 Winners

3 STARS

Senorio Organic Acorn-Fed Iberico Salchichón

There is a great look to this salchichon with an even cure, plenty of fat content and a bright, healthy, reddish/ pink colour. There is a light, meaty, pleasantly farmy aroma with a hint of red wine. The texture is deliciously juicy and moist with the meat and fat ratio creating an appealing mouthfeel and the peppercorns adding a brightness in flavour and a good contrast in texture. The flavour is nutty, smooth, meaty and has a lovely touch of sweetness.

A dark, firm, well cured sausage with a good ratio of meat to fat. This sausage is strong flavoured and peppery yet sweet, with long aftertaste.

This salchichon looks great, with a rich red appearance and is still slightly moist. The flavour has earthy, herbaceous elements and a lovey mouthfeel from the fattiness. It is sweet with a pepper hit that balances it out and there is an interesting fruitiness to it. Each bite is different, with meatiness, fat, pepper and varying flavours all adding different dimensions. Unlike some salamis, this does not rely purely on saltiness, spiciness or salt for flavour, but on the meat itself which shines through.

This is a slim specialist salami with a good proportion of meat to fat and a far more subtle flavour than many salamis. Rich red colour and meaty texture with a vibrant flavour and hint of black pepper.

Valdespino Sherry Vinegar with PX

The deep rich colour and the viscosity of this vinegar are appealing and the quality immediately apparent. The nose is fabulous, complex and constantly developing. The mouthfeel is smooth, coating enough to show it is good but with zero harshness. The flavours and the length are outstanding.

There are aromas of molasses, oak and sherry. The flavour is complex with hints of wood, dried fruit and molasses. It is very smooth and rounded and overall a great tasting sherry vinegar.

This is a sound if youthful PX vinegar - we are somewhat surprised by the six-year ageing, expecting a touch more richness, sweetness and softening of acidic notes. The finish has pleasing length - we'd just like a gentler and more rounded taste.

This is a complex vinegar with strong hints of the PX sherry barrels in which it was aged. You can always tell when a product is good when people start discussing how it would be used and we are currently imagining a radicchio salad with this as a dressing. Fruity notes and layers of flavour are undeniable. A great vinegar.

This is incredible, with aromas of caramel, marmite, toast, nuts and slight molasses sweetness. The flavours have a sherry kick, with lots of layers of nuts and dark stone fruits. Absolutely incredible.

2 STARS

Unio Moscatel Vinegar

This is a fruity vinegar with balanced sweetness. We felt that the finish is a little harsh, probably owing to the high percentage of acetic acid. This would lend itself well to pickling or as an oxymel.

The judges really loved this fruity vinegar. The floral aroma turned to apricot in the mouth and the sourness was rounded by a slight sweetness from the grapes.

This is a pale wine vinegar which offers lots of fruity promise on the nose, and on the palate really wows. We detected oak (?) and a complex sweetness that opened out on the palate to a well-rounded tang and floral notes that persisted and offered great length. We kept going back for more!

Nardín Anchovy fillets in Olive Oil

Deliciously umami-rich anchovies with great texture and colour. The fish are well filleted, plump and succulent and the olive oil is light and delicate. A delicious product.

These anchovies are plump, meaty and full of flavour. There is a sweetness to the flesh that balances beautifully with the saltiness of the cure and the natural flavour of the fish. Well crafted and a great product.

Even-sized whole anchovy fillets, meaty and firm in texture and not too oily. They smell more like fresh fish than many preserved anchovies.

These anchovies look and smell great, with a clear aroma of the fish rather than oil or salt, which is often overwhelmingly present in products like these. The flavour is clear and enjoyable, with a strong saltiness that tastes of the sea and gives way to the deep flavours of the anchovies themselves. A great product.

A great example of its kind – salty and metallic in flavour. The have a great meaty firmness while retaining a soft butteriness.

1 STAR

Artisan Mallorquín Hot Paprika, Cirereta

This paprika has a bright, vibrant colour and a slightly smoky, espelette-like aroma. There is a generous heat that moves around the palate and offers layers of flavour and spice. An enjoyable product with a wide range of uses.

This is a clay-red powdered paprika with a real kick of spice, and is clearly a high quality ingredient. The judges would have liked to taste a little more fruitiness in the paprika but really enjoyed it.

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Flor de Sal d’Es Trenc

This is an attractive salt with hues of pink and grey. The crystals were a good size and would be ideal for sprinkling on a tomato salad or similar. It wasn't too salty which might sound like an odd comment but it almost had a sweetness to it which was most pleasant.

Theses are moist, even flakes, with a light pink colour. The flavour is not harsh or bitter and not too saline and seems well balanced.

Brindisa Salsa Brava

This has a wonderfully rich colour and a good texture with the seeds. The aroma is invitingly tomatoey, and there are hints of the smoked paprika, but the judges did not get the taste of the piquillo peppers. As a sauce to go with patatas bravas, we think it would be successful, and it has a good taste.