u/Elons_Demon_Taint

I tried Yamamasa Koyamaen’s Shikibu no Mukashi for the first time this morning, and really enjoyed it! It was very smooth and creamy, with subtle, undertones of nuttiness and a natural sweetness to it. The umami was definitely present, but not super complex. There were no salty or oceanic notes to it. I didn’t really detect any bitterness and there was only a very mild, balancing sort of astringency. Sweetener is not necessary, especially for a latte. I would imagine this one would appeal to lots of matcha drinkers. It doesn’t demand a specific type of palate to enjoy it. While it’s definitely a rich matcha, the flavor profile as a whole is mild. Out of YK’s line, my favorite is still Senjin no Mukashi, which is an absolute delight of an umami bomb, but it’s unfair to compare them. Senjin is firmly in the ultra premium, koicha grade category while Shikibu sits more at the premium usucha level. Overall, it was a lovely, elevated but still accessible drinking experience.