Glen Keith 21Y Special Aged Release Secret Speyside

This 21-year-old Glen Keith, bottled at 43% ABV, was my first whisky from my Scotland Tour 2024. I purchased a sample from a specialty shop at Amsterdam's Airport known for its excellent spirits. (I don't recall the name) (it's the upscale one with very expensive Bowmores and Dalmores). On the nose, it's a bit too Speyside for my liking. Honey, apples. Green apples and peaches. Not much else is present. The palate was exceptional. Grassy, tobacco, cigarette notes. Apples, pepper. After the second sip, it revealed a remarkably creamy vanilla, truly like vanilla ice cream. Shortbread notes were also detected. The aftertaste is dominated by spices. Pepper and tobacco. Overall, I had a pleasant experience with this one, particularly the palate, which is very well-executed. My rating for it is 88 out of 100.