To think my cheeses lack variety?

[Dextrodependant]

I am ordering my cheeseboard, not entertaining over Christmas in particular so will mostly be for me.

I have picked 11 variety but I think I have lots that are similar?
Edam
Manchego
Brie
Gruyere
Stilton
Red leciester
Mature cheddar
Mexicana cheddar
Monterey Jack
Smoked jalapeno & red pepper
Wensleydale.

What would you lose and what would you replace?

I’d swap the Red Leicester for applewood

Mmmm cheese

A blueberry Wensleydale
Some salty feta maybe nice with dried fruit

Lose the Red Leicester possibly

I like your selection tho

Edam's a bit everyday, how about jarlsberg or emmental?

That's a lot! I'd go for a smaller selection of really good quality cheeses personally. A cheddar, a brie, a blue cheese, a goat or ewe cheese (some great varieties not just your standard soft goats cheese) and manchego. You definitely need some good chutneys and pastes (quince for the manchego).

I'm partial to red onion chutney too
Aldi do some good chutneys.

Get rid: red Leicester, edam, mexican, jalapeno
Add: roquefort, epoisses, reblochon . Also I like a nice boursin!

I wouldn't bother with Edam, Red Leicester or Monterey Jack

I would get another blue cheese, possibly a milder one than stilton. I like oxford blue. or Shropshire blue is nice.

to make it a big more special I might get a Vacherin rather than a brie. though if you can get hold of a smoked brie that is good.

I would also try to get a Sage Derby but that can be difficult to find.

possibly a decent sheep's cheese?

From your list I would keep Gruyere, Brie, Stilton & a really good strong cheddar and get rid of the rest. I would add a sticky, stinky French cheese - like Epoisses; an interesting goat or sheeps cheese and a something like Harrogate blue. Aim for a range of textures, and flavours from the way the cheese is made - washed rind, cave aged etc rather than from things stirred into the cheese like berries/ spices etc.

With garlic and herbs obvs

Just get Stilton. Sod the rest. Stilton is king of cheeeeeese buy alllllll the Stilton!

Marmite cheese! 🤤

What about adding a goat’s cheese?

Is there no goat??

I don't like chutney, feta or goats cheeses. Might chick out the red Leicester and get some Jarlsburg though.

I have never tried Applewood, what is it like?

Lose the Red Leicester. How about Camembert or Roule? Some softer cheeses? Goats cheese?

More stinky blue cheese!

Ah, x post, sorry. Maybe a soft blue, like a cambazola (sp?)

Epiossis has had a couple of votes now. That could be on moved onto the list.

I like the idea of a milder blue cheese.

I think it's too many. Too much taste confusion. Too many calories - as you will want to try them all....in different varieties with the different accompaniments.

I would go: dolcelatte (or stilton if you prefer), manchego , emmental, strong chedder, brie, and a novely cheese - e.g. the smoked one you mention, or soft cheese with pineapple, or a fruity cheese.

If I get camembert do I have to bake it?

Blacksticks Blue is amazing.

Calories don't count at Christmas.

Taste confusion though that could be a problem.

You need a soft blue (my fav saint agur) and a smoked cheddar like applewood. As long as your cheddar is something like a lovely cruncher one. Id get rid of the red Leicester, edam, mexicana and manchego. Probably swap the Wensleydale for a cranberry or blueberry one

I am not sure your question is relevant. If you have chosen for you and you only or mainly then why change.

If you had people round who enjoyed cheese at Christmas, I would ditch the Mexicana, Monterey and Smoked Jalapeno (perfect for Summer though) and stick to just 5-6 cheeses;

Strong cheddar, Welsh, Somerset or Dorset.
Some rined goats or sheep's cheese (Berkswell is a relatively new english cheese from Warwickshire and is an excellent flavour and consistency, between hard and soft)
Brie (strong pungent one with lots of rind)
Gruyere (perfect at Christmas, but push the boat out on quality)
Stilton (one end crusted to preserve it, take out of the fridge on Christmas Eve and leave at room temperature)
A French unveined, smelly, creamy, soft white cheese - there are a few to pick from.

That's a lot of cheese and I thought I'd got too much.

We have gone for
Brie
Camembert
Stilton
An extra mature cheddar
Smoked applewood
Red Leicester
Garlic soft cheese
Apricot Wensleydale

Mine sound a bit boring compared to yours!