DISTILLO EXPO returns to SIMEI in 2026: second participation confirmed, with a continued focus on craft distillation

Following the successful debut in 2024, DISTILLO EXPO will also be part of the 2026 edition of SIMEI, once again serving as a key point of reference for the world of craft distillation — a sector that continues to grow significantly on a global scale.

Independent distillation, which first experienced a revival in the United States before spreading across Europe, is undergoing remarkable expansion. England has now surpassed Scotland in the number of active distilleries, largely driven by gin production, while France has further strengthened its landscape with more than one hundred whisky distilleries. Italy, too, is showing strong momentum: around thirty new distilleries have been established in recent years, with an outlook of roughly twenty new openings per year over the next five years, alongside existing producers embarking on paths of renewal and diversification.

In 2024, DISTILLO EXPO enriched SIMEI with a comprehensive educational programme and the participation of international operators. The 2026 edition represents a natural continuation of this path, offering an even broader platform for exploring distilling culture and fostering networking among traders, craft producers and companies across the sector.

DISTILLO EXPO was conceived by Claudio Riva and Davide Terziotti, founders of Craft Distilling, a company built on more than thirty years of experience in the field of spirits. The 2026 event marks a new milestone in the project’s development, further supporting the growth and exchange of knowledge within this evolving industry.