While delicious anytime, whisky is always better when celebrating with friends. Next spring, “friends” from all over the world will gather together in Speyside, many of whom are meeting each other for the first time. No, they’re not pen palsthey’re whisky-lovers coming together for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, April 28 May 2 2011.The Festival is now in its 11^th year, and the 6^th year since an official company was introduced specifically to manage and plan the event. While the Whisky Trail is a gorgeous and educational tourist spot any time of the year, you might want to consider holding off until the Festival. In addition to the regularly-open distilleries, several that are closed to visitors during the year open their doors for these five days. Regular events like tastings and classes are also enhanced with special dining events. If you’re lucky, you may even experience a traditional Scottish ceilidh: a social gathering where people of all ages dance the night away.The “Spirit of Speyside” website provides tantalizing glimpses into the festival, from mouth-watering culinary dishes to enthusiastic musicians and patrons. We don’t know exactly what performers will be appearing, as the festival’s keeping customarily tight-lipped. What you can expect, however, are some of the events that have garnered acclaim in recent years: the Spirit of Speyside International Whisky School and the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards. The Whisky School runs for three days of the festival, and is a must for anybody interested in the historical and scientific basis behind whisky production. The Whisky Awards are notable for being the only award in the world judged by consumers. With three age categories, there’s plenty to sample along the way, making everybody a winner.