For some people, flowers are the way to their hearts. For others, it’s baked goods like cookies. And for others still, it’s cheese. I’m in that last camp and, lucky for me, cheese is in the middle of a renaissance. The rise in popularity of cheese boards has prompted a mainstream appreciation for cheeses other than yellow cheddar and holey Swiss. There’s Manchego, Gruyere, Camembert, Stilton and so much more to explore. Yes, even the ooey-gooey and the ultra-pungent deserve accolades. One straightforward way to experience a smattering of cheeses—and on a consistent basis—is by subscribing to a cheese of the month club. There are more than a dozen out there, and although there’s no such thing as too much cheese (at least in my book), you’ll probably only want to sign up for one at a time.
According to Academy of Cheese writer Rachel Holding, cheese of the month clubs are a great way to discover or have regular access to artisanal cheeses that may only be available from specialist fine food retailers. Therefore, they make an excellent gift for dairy fiends.“Because the vendor chooses the cheeses, the recipient will often get to explore new varieties they wouldn’t necessarily pick from their supermarket or general grocery store. In addition, most cheese club boxes will be accompanied by tasting notes or even a virtual tasting class to give the recipient the history of the cheese, information on the cheesemaker and even pairing suggestions,” she says. This list identifies first-class clubs that will fit your specific requirements, whether you want to educate yourself on the beloved dairy product or support a small cheese-making business.
Pros:
Expertly curated
Monger lessons included
Brand offers a variety of other cheese clubs
3-, 6- and 12-month subscriptions available
One club-exclusive pick per box
Cons:
Relatively small amount of cheese
Some boxes offer less variety
When it comes to food of the month clubs, Murray’s reigns supreme for its cheese of the month club. Rather, its cheese of the month clubs. Our favorite is the Cheese Explorer’s Club. We love its bold, outside-the-box cheeses from domestic and global cheesemakers. Sure, we’re here for the hunks of cheese (each box arrives with three), but you’ll also sometimes find extras, such as crackers, charcuterie and spreads. There are even fun facts and serving tips, so you can learn while you nibble. This subscription is straightforward in nature, but its exceptional content makes it stand out. No bells and whistles are needed for Murray’s and its cheeses to be the best. 
Murray’s Cheese Explorer's Club
“I got three herby Vermont Creamery Goat Cheeses in the first box of the month. The second month’s box had more variety: Murray’s Gemma Di Langa, Meredith Dairy Sheep and Goat Cheese and Alisios,” says Senior Editor Caroline Lubinsky of her three-month subscription.
At around $70 per month, it’s a bit on the pricey side. Some months also impress more than others, as Caroline notes. “The first box I received definitely wasn’t a good value. You could buy a single sleeve of that goat cheese for around $5 online, and three of those would only equal about $15. The second box was a better value. One cheese is around $17 on its own and another is $24, and I couldn’t find the third cheese for sale anywhere,” she says. This makes sense, as one inclusion in each box is a club-exclusive pick. Shipping cheese isn’t an easy business, and throughout the three-month summertime subscription, Caroline never once encountered a spoiled package. “The cheese was sent in an insulated cardboard box with reusable ice packs. I did not have any issues with the cheese being damaged during delivery.”Whether you’re gifting as a thoughtful multi-month surprise for your favorite cheese lover or setting up the subscription for yourself, expect Murray’s to wow you with its quality and customer service.
Pros:
Least expensive on the list
3-, 6-, 9- and 12-month subscriptions available
In-season selections
Contents of boxes are preplanned
Cons:
Cheese isn't bespoke or artisan
Averaging 4.7 stars, the Harry & David Fruit and Cheese Club is an all-time subscription for foodies. In each box, one artisanal cheese and one seasonal fruit team up to tantalize taste buds and take grazing boards to the next level. Before you even place your order, you’ll know what’s in store—the contents of the next 12 boxes are outlined on the website. They make so much sense, too! Cherries and Brie in July? Absolutely. Pears and blue cheese in December? Sign us up. Every intentional, seasonal selection is meant to pair together for a fair price. A yearlong subscription to this club costs hundreds—yes, hundreds!—less than some other clubs on this list, averaging out at less than $40 per month.My March shipment came with six huge HoneyBells accompanied by an 8-ounce slab of Wood River Creamery cheddar gruyère. As someone notoriously picky about her oranges, I was super impressed with the quality of the produce. The HoneyBell citruses were big and juicy and offered just the right touch of sweetness. The cheddar gruyère was creamy and had a pleasant sharpness that contrasted well with the HoneyBells’ mild flavor. While this club won’t win awards for offering rare or exotic cheeses, it’s the perfect way to try a variety of fun pairings with some of the finest produce available. As an added bonus, the portions are a phenomenal value—each box serves around six people.
Mac and Cheese Club
Pros:
3 to 4 types of cheese per box
Entirely American-made
Contents of boxes are preplanned
Distinct flavor varieties
Generous portions
Cons:
12-month subscription only
From sea to shining sea, there’s good cheese to eat. And no subscription makes that quite so clear as the Williams Sonoma 12 Months of U.S. Cheese subscription. The yearlong gift of the month service delivers American cheeses straight to your stoop. Over the course of 12 months, you’ll receive (and devour!) 39 cheeses, averaging about three types per box.
“This was a lovely gift experience,” notes Senior Shopping Editor, Katie Bandurski. “The way it was packaged really elevates the whole box. The box was in great shape, and the entire thing was lined with insulated material.”Katie’s box included three large wedges of cheese from Beehive Cheese. While they were all Utah cheddars, each offered a distinct flavor profile. The only thing missing was a brochure, which Katie would have liked as she’s interested in each offering’s origin. That said, she was able to enjoy the process of creating her own tasting notes.
Rinds of Cheese on Platter
Emily Way/“Big John’s Cajun was a little more tender and had a delicious, slightly spicy flavor. Sea Hive had the most mild flavor. The honey notes were barely there, making it a very neutral pairing. Barely Buzzed had a really nutty, savory flavor. The espresso added some depth while the lavender added a slightly sweet, earthy note. All three varieties were nice and distinct. They each had varying flavor notes that were easy to tell apart. It’s an excellent value for people who want to see the very best that America has to offer. Plus, since each box’s inclusions are clearly laid out on the order page, you can secure any desired pairings ahead of time for parties or small plate dinners.
Pros:Each month comes with two flavors
Easy to reheat
Makes a great gift for mac and cheese lovers
Ships frozen for freshness
Cons:Pricey
Are you someone who wishes they could eat mac and cheese for every meal? With the Murray’s Mac and Cheese Club, you can! Each month brings with it a shipment of two 32-ounce frozen mac and cheese portions. One is always their famous, classic cheddar flavor. The other is a different flavor each month that’s exclusive to the club. Whenever you’re craving a hot comfort meal, simply pull the package from the freezer and pop it in the oven for an easy, cheesy experience.
The Rare Cheese Club
Pros: Unique flavors
Great variety
Insulated packaging
Cheese information included
Cons:Pricey
Cheese heads with a taste for exotic flavors don’t need to hop on a plane to sample something new. The Rare Cheese Club delivers three half-pound slabs of small-batch artisan cheeses right to your door every month. Each hand-cut cheese boasts eclectic flavors and rare ingredients, and many come from outside the U.S. The cheeses are accompanied by a newsletter detailing tasting notes, cheese profiles, cheesemaker histories, and serving suggestions.
Sheri Kaz/Taste of Home
Product Tester Sheri Kaz was immediately impressed by the packaging, which kept all the cheeses insulated from the summer heat. “While the packaging isn’t particularly ‘gift-worthy,’ it’s more practical with a dry ice pack and insulation that can be recycled. I love that they included special envelopes to store each piece of cheese. Although it’s not the most beautiful package, what’s inside is absolutely delectable!” Expect to enjoy incredible flavor profiles like the semi-soft Sennerkäse with Fenugreek, which hails from Germany and offers a slight sweetness, herbal and grassy notes, toasted grain flavors and slight salinity. Or, enjoy Little Lucy from Redhead Creamery, which pairs well with local, higher acid Minnesota wines like Edelweiss, Frontenac or St. Croix. Each comes in its own resealable package, so you can take your time enjoying each inclusion. “I really love the reusable cheese bags that are provided in the package. Each bag is labeled, and the receiver can write additional information on it. I found these bags kept my cheese perfectly fresh and were a much better alternative to wrapping them in parchment or plastic wrap,” says Sheri.