The Ilchester Cheese Co has expanded its Mexicana cheese brand through a new partnership with hot sauce brand Cholula, launching Mexicana Cholula Cheddar Cheese Slices as it looks to strengthen its presence in the flavoured and sliced cheese categories.

The new product, which is launching exclusively in Sainsbury's stores, combines Mexicana cheese with Cholula hot sauce in a sliced cheese format. The launch marks the first cross-brand collaboration for the Mexicana range.

Made with Cheddar cheese blended with red and green peppers, jalapeños and spices, the slices feature a higher heat level than the original Mexicana cheese. The new product carries a three-chilli heat rating, compared with the original product's two-chilli rating, while the addition of Cholula is intended to provide a tangy flavour profile aimed at hot sauce enthusiasts.

Available in a 160g pack with a recommended retail price of £2.95, the product has been positioned as a premium offering within the sliced cheese segment.

James Catchpole, managing director of Ilchester Cheese, said: “Consumers continue to seek out bolder flavours, particularly within everyday staples. By combining the strength of both the Mexicana and Cholula brands, we’ve created a product that brings a real kick into to the sliced cheese segment, while meeting demand for both flavour and convenience."

He added: “We see strong potential for the product to drive shopper engagement within the flavoured cheese sector and attract both existing Mexicana fans and consumers looking to elevate their everyday meals with spicy flavours at home. Leveraging the global recognition of Cholula as one of the world’s most popular hot sauces, the collaboration also brings its loyal fan base into the Mexicana world, encouraging them to explore the wider range and discover new ways to enjoy bold, spicy flavour at home.”

The launch forms part of Ilchester Cheese’s broader strategy to expand its flavour-led product portfolio and follows Mexicana’s position as the UK’s leading branded spicy cheese range, according to the company.

Mexicana Cholula Cheddar Cheese Slices are now available in Sainsbury’s stores nationwide.